ok,maybe not the right section,but i need some advice.Is it bad or painfull etc etc to make the nails bleed when cutting them,also if they do bleed what is the best thig to do.
My pug needs his nails cut,we do them regulary but they seem to be growing fast and are far too long,it is hard to do him anyway as we are afraid that he may get hurt either when holding him and he wiggles(he has major spine problems and i dont want to trigger them off)or as he tends to really make aload of noise we worry he may hurt his larynx(which is in stage 1 collapse)we also cant have him sedated to do them as he has breathing issues and his larynx is at very high risk of collapse under sedation.Really in a pickle as i do need to just cut them off,any ideas and advice most gratefully received
jo

Yes you should try to avoid cutting the 'quick', which is the part with the blood vessels and nerves. Not always easy to do with black nails of course! If you do cut the quick, there are various 'quick stop' type powders you can buy, or just sprinkle a little flour on, that works too. If you've cut the quick a few times your dog will be less and less keen to let you anywhere near his feet. You may need to desensitive him by giving him a treat just for letting you hold his feet, then for touching the nail with the clippers, then for doing one nail at a time. Just take the very tips off, it's better to do a little bit and then do a little more in a week or so than to take too much and hurt him. You could also try the various grinders that are on offer though my dogs didn't like them, many dogs prefer them to clipping though. Also try to walk him on concrete as hard surfaces will help to wear them down. As long as the nails are off the ground when he's standing on a hard surface, they don't need to be really really short.

My Norfolk Terrier has tiny black nails too and she hates having them cut, but I use a bird/cat nail clipper.  They are very tiny and are great for talking the tips off nails, and don't make that clicking noise that you tend to get with bigger clippers. :)

It is the clicking noise that some dogs hate. Why dont you get a hard skin file (like a big emery board) from the Body shop & use that instead.

Have you tried fileing them down? I use a dremel on my two German shorthaired pointers, as they would go ballistic when I clipped them, and because they would'nt keep still, I would sometime catch the quick. They have black nails and my young boy in perticular  has vey hard nails. It does take a little time for them to get used to the noise and sensation, but I can now do their feet in five minuets which is great, as they need them trimmed on a very regular baises. They are now alot less stressed and so is the owner LOL.

yes i will try filling them,i usually stick his head in the fridge to take his mind off what im doing,he can look at all the food in their but he is getting used to it now lol,i will try filling and see what happens,they look too long and im getting worrid about them,thanks for that
jo

Have to 2nd the dremel- I love it and works great :-)

I got the Pedi Paws...a lot nicer than the clippers...

I love the bit about sticking his head in the fridge:)

hi toffeecrisp
yes we do his nails on a sunday when we have a roasted chicken in the fridge,it sometimes takes his mind off it!!dont think i can do the fridge thing with my newfie though
i will have a look at the pedi paws
cheers