What is the Best Way to Trim Great Dane's Nails?

E: What's the best way to trim Great Dane's nails?
My 2-year-old Great Dane has long nails, and I have the hardest time trying to clip his nails. He is scared of the Dremel and the nail clipper too! Should I take him to the vet or to the groomer?

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Answers and Views:

Answer by predator_7578
I use a nail clipper after a long walk for my Danes. Most of them are lazy and don't bother to move but a long walk guarantees they will be more placid.

Answer by JOAN W
The vet and the groomer have far more experience and skill than you do with difficult dogs. They have to clip many dogs who don't like having their nails. Ask them for tips in doing it yourself. The only way to shorten nails yourself is to clip them very regular schedule and try to wear them down. Walking on hard surfaces won't do it - dogs need to run since that is when they bear down on their nails.

Answer by Ldyminx
I use a Craftsman Dremel on both my Dane and my Samoyed BUT I take them both for an incredibly long walk or extended play at the dog park first. Those battery-powered excuses for a Dremel just don't have the power to actually file down either of my girls' claws, the Craftsman using a sandpaper grit does beautifully and I can get each dog done in under 10 minutes each. Over, done, then on go the Soft Claws in whatever color they are wearing for the moment and off we go.

Answer by MissAns
By your asking, I can tell you have not tried either one yet. Do yourself a favor and try them, at most you are looking at $ 20 bucks every few months.
Your dog is fully attuned to you and your emotions, if you find clipping his nails difficult he will not only act on his own discomfort but also yours.
Taking him to a vet or a groomer, these people do this every day. Rather than the additional stress of finding a safe level to clip and holding them, they are practiced enough to do each nail quickly, reducing any stress your dog may have. If you have not tried it, it's worth it. A few quick snips, your Dane isn't really sure what just happened.

If you want to continue doing it on your own, please tell me you aren't actually using a Dremel. The battery-powered ones with the nail guard do work provided you get your Dane used to them. Take care to immediately touch the dog's nail after to make sure you are not heating it up, and to only do a few nails at a time till he or she is comfortable.

Answer by chetco
Great Danes require their nails to be trimmed. They should be trimmed enough that they don’t ‘click’ on the floor when they walk.
Groomers will usually do it for about $ 10.. My vet charges $ 6

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Answer by lexy
Go buy yourself a kennel or vet lead, or a slip lead. Tie your Dane to something and ask someone for help!

It is usually easier when using two people to clip their nails to have someone hold the leg of the dog and the other hold the actual paw. It also helps to support the "armpit" (can't think of another word for it) so the dog isn't as tempted to spaz around.

The vet and groomer would do nothing different to clip their nails. They are just more experienced.

Answer by I wipe my own
EVERY dog needs their nails trimmed! You should definitely trim his nails or take him to get them trimmed. The nails could very easily become ingrown and cause him much more pain.

Answer by Video Game N
You can easily buy a cheap dog nail clipper (note: use a nail clipper for dogs, NOT a human nail clipper, because their claws are different), or you can take him to a groomer or a vet and pay a fee for them to do it (some will do it for free). For the first time, you may want to visit the vet and have him show you how to properly cut the nails.

Note if you’re doing it yourself: dogs have a “quick” which is basically a blood vessel in their claws. If you look at the dog’s claws, their nail is generally clearish white or yellowish and it will have a darker red or black part on the inside. That’s the quick.

When you trim the dog’s nails, make sure you cut them just short of the quick. If you cut into the quick they will start bleeding. It’s not serious, you can just put some quick-stop stuff on it to make it stop bleeding quickly. But do your best not to cut the quick.

Eventually, if you keep cutting the nail close to the quick the quick will gradually recede and be smaller so you can trim the dog’s nails to a healthy length.
Some Danes have very dark nails naturally though, so be sure to ask your vet or groomer’s advice if this is the case.

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Answer by cgmcalli
Pretty much every dog gets their nails trimmed at the grooming salon. With every dog you need to trim their nails otherwise it is uncomfortable and painful for them.

Answer by anita
Not only is it painful but they can get ingrowns or they can chip their nails…ouch!!!!

Answer by triphazard99
Generally speaking, if you can hear his nails click on the floor – they’re too long. Some breeds of dog who do a lot of road walking will naturally wear down their nails but Great Danes need them clipping or filing on a regular basis, or they can curl in on themselves and cause pain – not to mention the longer they get the more chance they could get caught and tear off – not nice.

If you’re not confident, take him to a groomer – many dogs hate having their nails done, and your Dane will sense your anxiety, only making the job worse.
Bear in mind – this won’t just be a one off/every six months option – you really need to be looking at his nails weekly or fortnightly and keeping them down – the longer they grow, the more the ‘quick’ inside grows – which makes keeping them short far more difficult.
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