I have two labrador retrievers. My dogs are my children, so I want to make sure they are well taken care of. I have decided that their needs can often require a lot of money! Whether it be their food, toys, vet visits, teeth cleaning, treats, gadgets, or grooming, the out-of-pocket costs can really add up. So, I decided I would become a dog groomer. No, I don’t mean make a career change-I already have a job. I mean I have decided to cut costs where I can and it REALLY DOES WORK! Here is how I did it:

Since our arrival to Massachusetts, it seems my boys need their nails cut every week. When we lived in Arizona, our nail trimming was not as frequent. I was spending an average of $30 a visit to get their nails cut at a local dog groomer. I was terrified at the idea of cutting their nails myself. Now that I have taken the plunge, I will NEVER pay to have it done again. So, I went out and bought the dog grooming equipment I needed to get the job done. Through my research, I learned that I would need specific nail products to ensure that:

1. Their long, thick nails would cut with ease

2. If I cut the “quick”, I could stop the bleeding fast

3. If need be, I could file the rough edges after cutting

It is vital that you know what the “quick” is. When looking at your dog’s nails, the quick is the pink part that is visible through the nail itself. You can think of it as the part of your finger that is under the nail-the flesh. IF THE QUICK IS CUT, IT WILL BLEED A LOT. When cutting your dogs nails, only trim a little bit off at a time. Even if your dog’s nails have become longer than you would like. Then after a week, trim a little more off. As the nail grows longer, so does the quick. If you trim a little off at a time, you avoid cutting the quick and it will eventually recede back to a healthy position. If your dog has black nails like my little chocolate bear (lab), then you obviously have to be even more careful and take even less off. When the quick is not visible, don’t just try and guess where it may be. My research has told me that if the quick does get accidently cut, it is not quite as painful for dogs as it would be for humans when their nail happens to be cut or torn to short. This is not to say it doesn’t hurt them. The main thing you need to know if the quick is cut is that it will bleed A LOT. To stop the bleeding, you will need a few nail products. You should have these on hand whenever you are cutting your dog’s nails in case you do cut the quick. You will want to act fast. I use a Q-tip and a product called “styptic powder”. With the MOISTENED Q-tip, apply the styptic powder directly on the bleeding area. The bleeding should then stop immediately. Also, when using the nail clippers to trim the nail, cut quickly. Squeezing the handles and cutting slowly can actually be painful for the dog. Grip it and cut. This too will ensure a clean cut that will require minimal, if any, filing.

Why is so important to keep your dog’s nails cut?

1. It can save wear and tear on your hardwood flooring.

2. It actually keeps your dog’s feet and hips/back area comfortable.

Again, through my research on this topic, I discovered that it is uncomfortable for dogs to have long nails. It can be painful to the feet to walk when the nails are long. Also, the imbalance that occurs when walking or running with long nails can affect the hips and back.

Cutting tools that I recommend:

Bamboo Care Dog Nail Clipper, Styptic & File

This can be purchased through Petco. The 6.25″ length is for medium to large breed dogs. If you have a lab, this is the one you want. This is an awesome product and a great buy because you not only get the nail clippers, but the styptic powder AND a built-in file. It is a complete package and cheaper than buying each product separately. The internet price is $17.99 and it leaves the warehouse the next day. You can purchase it on sale for $16.19 until 10/18/08. The same product comes in a 5.5″ length and it is for small breeds. The internet price for it is regularly $15.99, but is on sale till 10/18/2008 for $14.39 (also ships next day).

A few more tips to make this an enjoyable experience for you and your dog:

1. Reward our dog.

I happen to have a white lab that I am convinced is ADHD. He goes wild any time he his touched by anyone. In order to keep him calm during this time, I give him a rawhide bone to chew on. This keeps him distracted and quietly engaged while I work on his feet. It is amazing how well this technique works! I will also offer lots of praise during and after the process.

2. Touch your dog’s feet often.

During times when you are not grooming your dog, touch his/her feet and body. Get him/her used to being handled so when grooming time comes around it is less of a struggle.

Hope some of you will be able to save some money and become your own groomer. Don’t forget to write about your experience here so we can all read about it. Good luck! Your dog will love you for this.