Nail clipping is the most horrifying experience in grooming for the animal, pet parent, or groomer - by FAR!
If they say it's not, RED FLAG!
If a professional groomer or bather makes "lite" of nail trimming, that is another HUGE RED FLAG!!!
Now this is not to say that there should be fear and horror surrounding nail trimming - even from the groomer!!!
Absolutely not!
The groomer SHOULD be confident, and demonstrate that skill and confidence by performing a "happy nail trim" experience for you to witness for yourself.
But if the groomer "makes lite" of nail trimming without ever acknowledging the importance of doing it right, this should concern you.
This is one of those "DO NOT try this at home!" things, unless you REALLY know what you're doing.
YES you can hurt them and it IS a big deal, I don't care what anyone tells you, VETS included.
This is the biggest cause of trauma for dogs in the grooming environment, along with water in the face - specifically nose and ears - and forced air blower to the face - specifically nose and ears.
Most of the time, it is well-meaning pet parents, who are really trying to be responsible, who screw their poor dogs up for life!
And yes, YES, there are more ignorant and careless groomers out there than you care to know about!
#PETPEAVE
Many groomers and vets will tell you that it's no big deal to quick them (cut the nail so short that it cuts the blood vessel and bleeds). All you do is put a little Quick Stop (styptic powder) on it to stop the bleeding and they're fine!
BULLSHIT!!!
Along with that blood vessel (all blood vessels!) are NERVES! And it hurts to cut them! How could it NOT hurt??? That's what nerves are for! To FEEL.
And why are there such sensitive nerves in the nails?
Well dogs dig. Dogs claw and scratch. Dogs run. These activities are part of their natural lives, part of their survival.
Nails give substance, traction, protection and basically work as tools for the dog. If they are injured, it is very important that the dog knows this! That's what pain in the body is for. To let you know that something needs attention.
If they say it's not, RED FLAG!
If a professional groomer or bather makes "lite" of nail trimming, that is another HUGE RED FLAG!!!
Now this is not to say that there should be fear and horror surrounding nail trimming - even from the groomer!!!
Absolutely not!
The groomer SHOULD be confident, and demonstrate that skill and confidence by performing a "happy nail trim" experience for you to witness for yourself.
But if the groomer "makes lite" of nail trimming without ever acknowledging the importance of doing it right, this should concern you.
This is one of those "DO NOT try this at home!" things, unless you REALLY know what you're doing.
YES you can hurt them and it IS a big deal, I don't care what anyone tells you, VETS included.
This is the biggest cause of trauma for dogs in the grooming environment, along with water in the face - specifically nose and ears - and forced air blower to the face - specifically nose and ears.
Most of the time, it is well-meaning pet parents, who are really trying to be responsible, who screw their poor dogs up for life!
And yes, YES, there are more ignorant and careless groomers out there than you care to know about!
#PETPEAVE
Many groomers and vets will tell you that it's no big deal to quick them (cut the nail so short that it cuts the blood vessel and bleeds). All you do is put a little Quick Stop (styptic powder) on it to stop the bleeding and they're fine!
BULLSHIT!!!
Along with that blood vessel (all blood vessels!) are NERVES! And it hurts to cut them! How could it NOT hurt??? That's what nerves are for! To FEEL.
And why are there such sensitive nerves in the nails?
Well dogs dig. Dogs claw and scratch. Dogs run. These activities are part of their natural lives, part of their survival.
Nails give substance, traction, protection and basically work as tools for the dog. If they are injured, it is very important that the dog knows this! That's what pain in the body is for. To let you know that something needs attention.
Dogs feet are one of the three most sensitive parts of their body.
That's how important their feet and nails are to them.
That's how important their feet and nails are to them.
They usually don't like their feet touched at all because the feet are hyper-sensitive.
They depend on their paws GREATLY!!!
Without the full use of their paws, animals are very vulnerable.
So the built-in defense mechanism surrounding an animal's paws is greatly magnified.
To be ignorant of this is a sign that you should not be working with animals in the first place!
1) There's an obvious reason for that! Something happened, at some point. Whether it was a human incident, or a cracked nail that just got snagged on the carpet or a blanket, something happened and it hurt and now the dog is scared. This needs to be noticed, and dealt with properly.
2) I've done almost as many "impossible" nail trims as I have easy ones... Leaving people absolutely amazed at how I did that with no biting, no muzzle, no screaming, no trauma...!
And most of the time, no need for Quick Stop! (Every groomer should have Quick Stop in their medicine bag. Accidents do happen, even with the best of us.)
And so BAM! The answer is, I know what I'm doing!
And the fact that I've successfully done so many impossible nail trims with no trauma is proof of what I say - That there are HOARDS of so-called "trained" "professional" groomer/bathers out there that are NOT trained properly and are by NO MEANS the standard of a professional!
The BEST thing a pet parent can do for their pet concerning nail trimming is -
No Apologies!!!
They depend on their paws GREATLY!!!
Without the full use of their paws, animals are very vulnerable.
So the built-in defense mechanism surrounding an animal's paws is greatly magnified.
To be ignorant of this is a sign that you should not be working with animals in the first place!
"No One can do her nails!!".... Yeah, I've heard that a lot.
2) I've done almost as many "impossible" nail trims as I have easy ones... Leaving people absolutely amazed at how I did that with no biting, no muzzle, no screaming, no trauma...!
And most of the time, no need for Quick Stop! (Every groomer should have Quick Stop in their medicine bag. Accidents do happen, even with the best of us.)
And so BAM! The answer is, I know what I'm doing!
And the fact that I've successfully done so many impossible nail trims with no trauma is proof of what I say - That there are HOARDS of so-called "trained" "professional" groomer/bathers out there that are NOT trained properly and are by NO MEANS the standard of a professional!
The BEST thing a pet parent can do for their pet concerning nail trimming is -
- LEARN as much as you can.
- Don't believe the first thing you see, hear, or read about pet nail trimming!
- Discuss the subject amongst your pet parent friends.
- Find a groomer that is willing to demonstrate a "happy nail trim" for you.
- Get that groomers name and spread it like wild fire!
- Speak up amongst your pet parent friends! Become an advocate for proper nail trimming. Even if you NEVER quite get the hang of doing it yourself, at least promote someone you've found who CAN do it well, and therefore help others put an end to ignorance in grooming!
No Apologies!!!
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