Nail trimming is probably the easiest task to do at home. It only takes a couple of minutes every other week and can quickly save you money on vet bills. What equipment is required? You will need a nail trimmer, styptic powder, and (optionally) a file. Nail trimmers come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Most are made specifically for the size of dog that you have. Make sure the nail trimmer you choose is appropiate for your dog. The two major nail trimmer styles are the guillotine style (cuts up and down like a guillotine) and the scissor style (cuts sideways like a pair of scissors). The best choice really comes done to the type of nails your dog has and personal preference. I personally prefer the scissor style over the guillotine style. The scissor style is easier to use and allows for quick, clean cuts. I find the traditional guillotine-style trimmers difficult to control especially if your dog likes to move. The styptic powder is used to stop bleeding from an accidental cut. Most are designed so that the nail and entire paw can be placed right into the container. Your trimmer package may include a small container but it is always a good idea to keep plenty on hand. I usually cut my dog's nails before going for a walk. Their nails are smoothed over by a quick romp in the park, especially if the trip includes a walk in sand or over asphalt. If your dog's nails remain sharp, you can file their nails like you would file your own. This two-sided nail file makes the process simple. When is it time to cut your dog's nails? There are a couple of ways to tell. If you hear a tapping sound while your dog is walking across a floor, then the nails are probably too long. Of course, when you get used to trimming your dogs nails, you will be able to tell if they are too long by sight. Typically when the nail begins to curve, it is time for a trimming. How do I trim my dog's nails? Gather your supplies together and get a good hold on your dog. Getting a good grip will insure that both you and your dog do not get hurt. There are several schools of thought on the best position to achieve a good grip. The position will vary greatly depending on the size and temperment of you dog. You may have to try several different grips to find the best approach. One solution is to mimic the grip your vet uses during nail trimming. Most vets will be glad to demonstrate their technic. One technic we found very effective is to put the dog in a standing position. Bend the paw you wish to trim backwards (front paws towards the stomach, back paws towards the tail). Cut the nails while the paw is in the bent position. For more resistent dogs, you may have to perform this in a laying position while holding the dog down. Once the dog is in position, look at their nails to determine where the cut will be made. You want to cut the nail without cutting the quick, the flashy material underneath the nail. If your dog has clear nails, the pink object in the center of their nails is the quick. If your dog has dark nails, look to where the nail starts to curve or look underneath the nail to see where the quick end. Cut close to the quick. Remember that the quick grows with the nail. So in cases where the nail has not been trimmed in some time, you may have to trim the nails often before you get the nails to the desired length. Cut all the nails in the same session, if possible. You don't want to make your dog more nervous than they already are by doubling the sessions. Start at the back paws and work up to the front. Don't forget the dew claws if your dog has them. Once you are done, make sure that you praise your dog for being good and give them a special treat. It also may be a good idea to take them out to the bathroom after, especially if they are nervous. Your dog may be nervous the first couple of trimmings. Don't despare, the more sucessful trimmings you get under your belt the less nervous your dog will be. If your dog continues to be nervous and squirms, try trimming the nails when your dog is tired. After a long walk or right before bed is a good time. You may also need to employee someone's help to prevent your dog from moving while you attempt to trim the nail. That's all there is to it!