[nagdu] Nail clippers.

[Julie J.]

Jeff,

If you are using clippers, the first thing is to find a pair that fit your 
hand and feel comfortable to use.  They also need to be the right size for 
your dog.  The folks at the pet store can help with this.  Flimsy clippers 
will make the task difficult.  Don't skimp.

My dogs prefer to stand when I'm trimming, especially Belle.  I don't mind 
because they stand still, so that's what we do.  Other people have the dog 
sit or lay down and the person sits on the floor.  Whatever works.  I don't 
think it matters much.

I hold the dogs paw in my left hand, separating out the nail to be clipped 
with my thumb and pointer finger.  I hold the clippers in my right hand.  I 
place the nail to be clipped in the hole of the clippers where the blades 
are.  I use the pointer finger of my right hand to feel how much nail is 
sticking out on the other side of the blades, so I know how much I'm going 
to cut.  My technique is to cut a tiny bit, maybe a couple of millimeters. 
I repeat small cuts until the nail is to the length I want.  I've also 
noticed when you cut off just the very tip, the exposed inside of the nail 
will feel flat.  Then as you get close to the quick it feels like there is 
an indent in the center of the nail.   I've just recently noticed this, so 
I'm not sure if it's just Belle's nails or if this is something in common to 
all dogs.

Usually as the nails grow out they get this little hook or curve to the tip. 
that's another indicator of how much to take off.  Also when the dog is 
standing the nails shouldn't press into the floor.  They should be at floor 
level or just a tiny bit above it.

Interestingly, sighted people can only see the quick when the nails are 
light colored.  the quick isn't visible in black nails.  There is a powder 
you can buy that will stop the bleeding if you snip too short.  It's the 
same stuff guys use if they nick themselves shaving...styptic pencil, not 
sure of the spelling.  If you have one of these laying around, if will work 
just the same as the stuff they sell for dogs.

If you are trimming nails every 3 weeks, you won't need to take off very 
much at all.  Most guide dogs will wear down their nails just through normal 
wear and tear.  I just trimmed both Belle's and Monty's nails this morning. 
Monty, my working guide, only needed a tiny bit off the front feet.  I 
haven't trimmed his nails since probably last fall.  I'm not sure if I've 
ever had to trim his back feet.  Guide dogs use their back legs more to push 
into the harness, so those nails typically wear down faster.

Maybe you could stay with your dog when his nails are being trimmed next 
time.  Check out the nail before it's clipped and then right after so you 
can see how much is being taken off.   That might help you be more 
comfortable doing it yourself.

Best of luck!
Julie


-----Original Message----- 
From: jeff crouch- k8tvv
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2014 12:24 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Nail clippers.

hi:
I've not hurd of such thing, my question is how do you cut the nails
with out hitting the quick. It would be nice to cut my ben's nails
with out paying 20 dollars every three weeks.

thanks

On 3/20/14, Vivianna <irishana at gmail.com> wrote:
> hi all,
> someone told me that there was a dog nail clipper where, you can set a 
> gauge
> to a specific measurement and there is a guard so that you only clip off
> that amount.  i went looking for such a thing and can't seem to find it
> anywhere.
> have any of you ever heard of or used such a clipper?  and, if so, how do
> you like it?
> i just use the plain old fashioned type but, it would be neat to clip them
> all exactly the same amount.
> thanks for any input.
>
> Vivianna
>
>
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Jeff Crouch

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