Cutting nails.
Most people shutter when they think of cutting nails.
It is the most difficult of all grooming tasks, but one of the most important.
Use a professional dog nail clipper to help make it quick, easy, and painless for your dog.
Make sure to use the proper size nail clipper during the process.
Most people get one that is too big.
It is important to have "stop bleeding powder" (purchased from a pet shop) and Q-tips handy also.
Now you are ready.
Put the dog on the table.
Start with front paws and cut only 1/4 in.
at end of nail to start.
On white nails you can see the pink where the "quick" begins, but black nails are harder.
Do not cut the nails so short that you are cutting into the "quick".
Cutting into the "quick will cause the nails to bleed.
If it bleeds don't panic.
Dip a Q-tip in "stop bleed powder" and hold tip to end of the bleeding nail for 60 seconds; the bleeding will stop.
If any of the nails bleed, do NOT let him go out in the grass for several hours so that no dirt will get into the newly cut nail.
While you are holding the foot, use that as an opportunity to carefully also cut any hair out from between the pads.
Make sure you use a sharp grooming scissors with blunt ends.
If the dog fights or cries, be patient, but persistent.
I find just holding their foot makes most dogs that haven't been handled a lot cry and struggle.
Be in control.
Gently hold that paw until the struggling stops.
In some cased you may only be able to cut a few nails before you think he needs to rest.
That's OK.
Tomorrow you will do another foot, and the next day you will do another.
If the struggling becomes intense, leave his feet after doing only one and go back to brushing his back or chest or head for 5 minutes before you end the grooming session.
And always remember the hugs and cookie.
Talk to him during the process, and tell him what a good doggie he is.
Then put him down on the floor.
Now he is done.