What are some tips for cutting dog nails?

Tips for cutting a dog's toenails include trimming the nails to a length where the nail almost touches the ground when the dog stands and using a nail grinder if the dog is uncomfortable with the guillotine or scissor type of trimmer. A dog may need his nails trimmed weekly.

Give the dog praise and treats during the nail clipping session to create a positive experience. Inspect the dog's feet for debris before trimming the nails, and then hold each toe gently but firmly. Cut a little bit of the nail at a time, and continue cutting until the nail shows the beginning of a circle, which indicates that the quick is close to the surface. Finish by smoothing rough edges with an emery board.