How to trim dog nails?

1

Pick up a paw and firmly, but gently, place your thumb on the pad of a toe and your forefinger on the top of the toe on the skin above the nail. Make sure none of your dog’s fur is in the way.

2

Push your thumb slightly up and backward on the pad, while pushing your forefinger forward. This extends the nail.

3

Clip only the tip of the nail, straight across. Include the dewclaws, located on the inner side of the paw.

4

Avoid clipping past the curve of the nail or you risk hitting what is called the quick (the pink area of the nail that contains the blood vessels). A nick there is painful and will bleed. For dogs with dark nails, watch for a chalky white ring.