Styptic powder or pencil<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nOwners are often reluctant to trim their dogs’ nails for fear of hurting the dog or making him bleed. Dogs have a blood vessel that travels approximately three-quarters of the way through the nail. This is called the “quick”. Clipping a dog’s nails too short can cut the quick and cause bleeding. However, learning how to do it properly, using the correct equipment, and having a dog who accepts having his feet handled, will go a long way in reducing the odds of inadvertently nipping the quick.<\/p>\n
Your Aussie may have white or black nails or a combination. Black nails can make it difficult to differentiate between the quick and the hook – the dead section of nail that extends beyond the quick.<\/p>\n
Examine the underside of the nail before clipping. The section closest to the paw is solid, while the tip – or hook – of the nail looks hollow, like a shell. You may be able to see or feel the slightest groove on the underside hook portion of the nail. Trim only the portion between the solid nail and the thinner hollow part – just tipping it where it curves slightly downward.<\/p>\n
One of the easiest ways to trim the nails on the front feet is to have the dog sitting. Lift and hold one foot about 6 inches or so off the ground, so you can see the nail clearly, then trim away. With young or inexperienced dogs, you may have to put the foot back down between nails. Much will depend on the how cooperative the dog is.<\/p>\n
With the rear nails, it is easier to have the dog standing. Lift the foot off the ground about 4 to 6 inches, and trim away. Some people find it easier to lift the rear foot and extend the leg backwards, not unlike the position a horse’s leg is in when you are working on his feet. Some people have their dog lie on the floor – this works in a pinch, too. It is really a matter of preference, what is easiest for you, and what the dog will and will not tolerate.<\/p>\n
Dewclaws<\/h3>\n
If your Australian Shepherd has dewclaws, be sure not to overlook them in the trimming process. Dewclaws are the fifth digit on the inside of the front legs, usually an inch or so above the feet. If left unattended, they can curl around and grow into the soft tissue, not unlike an ingrown toenail on a human. Some breeders have the dewclaws removed, so your Australian Shepherd may or may not have them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nail trimming is a necessary part of dog ownership. Few Australian Shepherds, especially those who spend the majority of their time indoors or on grass when outdoors, will wear down their nails naturally. If your dog makes an unmistakable click as he walks on hard floors – his nails are too long. Ideally, a … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":744,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow To Cut Your Australian Shepherd's Nails<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you choose to cut your Australian Shepherd's nails yourself, invest in a good quality nail clipper designed specifically for dogs....Read More\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.doggroomingtutorial.com\/how-to-cut-your-australian-shepherds-nails\/\" 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