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Posted on: 12 April 2016

There are a lot of grooming responsibilities that come along with owning a dog. You may be left with brushing their hair everyday to ward off shedding and even giving them regular baths. Trimming your pup's ever-growing nails is one chore that can definitely not be avoided with some breeds. Even though trimming a dog's nails doesn't sound like a big deal, it could easily be one of the aspects of pet grooming that you hate the most as a pet owner. To make trimming the nails of your pooch as painless as possible, there are a handful of easy tips to keep in mind.

Choose your timing for nail trimming wisely.

The worst thing you can do is to trim your dog's nails when they are the most alert and super active. In general, the more alert they are feeling when you go after the nail trimmers, the more of a fight they are going to put up. Take your pooch out for a good run at the park or a good game of fetch, wait until they are resting comfortably, and then try to trim their nails.

Trim your dog's nails immediately after they have had a bath.

If you have a large-breed dog, their nails can be pretty tough to trim. Much like your own finger and toenails, the warm water of a good bath can help to soften the nails enough that they are easier to cut through. Allow your pooch to soak a little longer than usual in the bath when you plan to cut their nails and then trim them soon after.

Invest in the proper nail trimming equipment.

The type of nail trimmers you are using to trim your dog's nails will make all the difference. At the very least, you should have a good pair of high-quality nail trimmers that have no trouble slicing right through the nail quickly. You can also invest in the motorized nail grooming tools that basically sand the nail away with a rotating wheel. However, some dogs do not like the sound that these tools make, and this process can take longer to complete.

Make sure you know how to cut your dog's nails without causing pain.

When you take a look at your dog's nails, they have a point inside where their nerve endings stop. Trimming to this point can cause pain, just like if you were to trim your nails beyond the white tips to the quick. Use a flashlight to get a good idea of where this point is located in your pooch's nail before you start cutting.

If you're still worried about trimming your dog's nails, you can always take them to a local groomer like All Creatures Inn.