how often to clip my dogs nails?

[tinkerbell23]

its quite sore when he paws my leg! ha! i know the "quick" is in the middle of his nails so not to cut short...when he was a puppy i trimmed the tiniest wee bit off them as they were sharp..may try again as weathers making it difficult to get to groomers!?

any suggestions...thanks guys!

[jaydah]

At least every 6 weeks.

[tinkerbell23]

he is due then thank u jaydah, i first thought that they arent sharp...and would wear down when walking...but as i said quite sore i could take a wee bit off...someone said to me when they "click" they need cut x xx thanks

[woofgang]

I never clip mine. They run in the forest and that wears them down nicely, including the dew claws. One boy has one paw claw which does get a bit long but eventually it wears with the others

[tinkerbell23]

his dew claws are probs quite sharp...these as i say not so much sharp just longish..i may take the tip off a tad..square them off a bit x

[barb1314]

I've never clipped Lottie labrador's nails but she is out with me walking 3 to 4 hours a day so I guess there's no need. I did check at the vet last week and he said they were absolutely fine. Every 6 weeks sounds a lot?

[jaydah]

Dew claws will curl into skin & catch when the dog buries his 'stash' :) They need the same snip.

[tinkerbell23]

great jaydah i will trim them too!!! i was tempted to file them!!! lol x

[tinkerbell23]

thanks barb...i think ill use judgement and usually, the groomers will do this...but a wee home job this time x

[lankeela]

I only clip mine when they need doing, haven't done any for months now.

[tinkerbell23]

lankeela i just tried and he is not having it!! new years resolution get him trained he is toooo disobedient hahaha!!!! but hey...i love him!! :0P xx

[pastafreak]

Walk him more on hard surfaces...this will keep the nails short naturally.

[tinkerbell23]

thanks pasta!! we have no grass hehe but then when he sees grass hes right on it!!! thanks for the advice!

[woofgang]

you can file if the dog will accept it better

[lankeela]

Some people use a Dremel file if the dogs will accept it, this just keeps them filed down enough. Mine would go ballistic, so I use nailclippers (the human ones, that flip over, as they only have small nails). Just take the extreme tips off unless they are growing too long. My GSD sits and gives his paw to be clipped, but they wear naturally. Only the dew claw has ever needed doing.

[jules77]

I have a Dremel, but havnt had to do mine for months and months as they have lots of road work.

[boxtops]

I have to clip the cats' claws from time to time, they don't do much outdoor scratching, they just catch in the furniture. Fortunately you can do a cat with nail clippers, but they don't like it...