Caleb Foster
Miniature dachshunds are lively and brave dogs that require lots of mental stimulation and affection. They are also known to be stubborn and anxious, especially when it comes to cutting their nails. It is important to keep their nails trimmed to a proper length to avoid causing them pain and joint issues. This can be done by their owners at home or by a professional groomer. Owners should be careful not to cut the nails too short, as this can be painful for the dog and cause bleeding. To avoid this, it is recommended to cut or grind each nail at a 45-degree angle, taking off only a small amount, and to look out for a warning sign such as a small black dot in the centre of the nail.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to cut | Every 2-4 weeks, depending on walking on hard surfaces |
| When to cut | When nails are tapping on hard surfaces or visibly touching the ground |
| What to cut with | Scissor-like nail clippers, nail grinders, or nail scissors (for puppies) |
| How to cut | Cut at a 45-degree angle, leaving a small amount of white and a tiny black dot in the centre |
| How to prepare | Get your dog used to having paws handled, use treats and positive reinforcement |
| What to do if you cut too far | Apply pressure with a paper towel or gauze, then press into corn starch or blood clotting powder |
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What You'll Learn
How often to cut miniature dachshund nails
Cutting your miniature dachshund's nails can be a stressful experience for both you and your dog, but it's important to keep on top of it. If your dog's nails get too long, they can cause significant pain, joint and mobility issues, and can interfere with how they walk. Long nails are also prone to catching on things, causing injury, or even tearing off, which can be very painful.
The frequency with which you cut your miniature dachshund's nails will depend on their lifestyle and how much time they spend on hard surfaces, like pavement, which has a natural trimming effect. Some owners report cutting their dog's nails anywhere from once a month to once a fortnight, or even every week. You'll know it's time for a trim when you can hear your dog's nails tapping on a hard floor or surface when they walk, or you can see the nails visibly touching the ground. If you can hear your dog's nails making a high-heel type noise as they walk, you're overdue for a clipping.
If your dog is a puppy, you may need to cut their nails as frequently as once a week. Puppies' nails grow faster, and they are also smaller, so there is a greater risk of cutting into the quick—the soft cuticle inside the nail that contains all the nerves and blood supply. As your puppy grows, you can reduce clippings to every couple of weeks.
As an adult, your miniature dachshund's nails should be cut weekly to shorten them, and then every two weeks to maintain a good length.
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What tools to use
Miniature dachshunds typically have black nails, although some have dark brown nails. Because of this, it can be challenging to trim their nails at home, as it is much harder to see the quick, the soft cuticle inside the nail that contains all the nerves and blood supply. If you do decide to trim your miniature dachshund's nails at home, it is important to invest in some good tools to help you make the process as easy and painless as possible.
When your miniature dachshund is still a puppy, you can likely use a good pair of nail scissors to trim their nails. As they grow, you will need to invest in a strong, good-quality nail clipper. Scissor-style clippers are better than guillotine-style clippers, which tend to crush the nail rather than cut it cleanly. DakPets Dog Nail Clipper is a highly recommended clipper that can be purchased from Amazon and has a built-in safety guard.
If your miniature dachshund hates having their nails clipped, you might want to consider using a nail grinder instead. Nail grinders sand down your dog's nails instead of cutting them. If you use a nail grinder, make sure the sanding band is sharp.
If you accidentally cut into the quick, you can use a tissue or a thick paper towel to slow the bleeding. It is also a good idea to have some styptic powder or cornflour handy, as they are anti-hemorrhagic agents that can help stop the bleeding.
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How to cut dark nails
Most miniature dachshunds have black nails, with some coat colours having dark brown nails. Dark nail colours are more challenging to cut as it is much harder to see the quick—the soft cuticle inside the nail that contains all of the nerves and blood supply. On dogs with clear or light nails, you can see the quick from the top, but this is not possible on dark nails.
The best approach for cutting dark nails is to go slowly and trim a little at a time to avoid accidentally cutting into the quick. Although it is difficult to see the quick in black nails, if you look at the end of the nail after trimming a small bit, you can see a dark circle in the middle. When this dark circle fills the end of the nail (usually with a small white section), you have likely gone as far as you can without hitting the quick, so stop at that point.
Before introducing your dachshund to nail clippers, get them comfortable with you touching their paws. Once they are okay with that, bring out the clippers and reward your dog with treats for being near the clippers. The more positive associations with anything related to cutting their nails, the better. When they are completely relaxed around the clippers (and mostly excited about the treats), you can start cutting their nails.
When cutting dark nails, cut or grind each nail at about a 45-degree angle to the point where you can see just some white inside the nail with a tiny black dot in the centre, indicating that you will hit the quick if you go further. The amount of nail that needs to be cut will depend on how long your dog's nails are, but cutting 1 to 5 millimetres each time is a good rule of thumb. The end goal is for your dachshund’s nails to be short enough that they don’t touch the ground when standing, but still long enough to provide some traction when digging or climbing uphill.
If you accidentally cut into the quick, use a tissue or gauze to slow the bleeding, and apply styptic powder or cornflour, as these are anti-haemorrhagic agents.
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What to do if you cut the nail too short
It is important to remain calm if you accidentally cut your miniature dachshund's nail too short. Your dog will mirror your reaction with anxiety and stress and will hate nail trimmings even more. So, take a breath and concentrate on fixing the nail.
First, apply some gentle pressure to the nail with a clean, thin cloth, gauze, or a paper towel to slow the bleeding. If your dog will tolerate it, press firmly on the bleeding nail tip for as long as your dog will let you. Firm pressure slows the blood flow through the injury and allows the platelets (components of the blood responsible for clotting) to stick to the wound edges and do their job.
If the bleeding continues, you can use cauterizing powder, cornstarch, flour, or baking powder to help the blood clot. Dip your dog's bleeding nail into the powder and ensure the entire area is coated. You can also use a cotton swab to apply the powder to your dog's nail if they're resistant to getting their paws touched. If you don't have any of the above, a tissue can also be used to slow the bleeding.
If the nail continues to bleed, take your dog to your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital for further care. It can take about 2 to 4 minutes for a dog's nail to stop bleeding, so you may need to hold a cloth there for that long. If it doesn't stop bleeding, seek immediate veterinary attention.
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How to get your dog comfortable with nail trimming
Nail trimming is an essential part of dog grooming, but it can be a stressful and scary experience for your pup. Here are some tips to help you get your dog comfortable with the nail trimming process:
Start Young
If you get your puppy used to nail clippers when they are young, it will be much easier to cut their nails throughout their life. Expose them to the clippers in a positive manner at a young age, so they don't develop a fear of the clippers. Let them sniff and investigate the clippers, and give them treats and praise to create a positive association.
Handle Their Paws
Before introducing the clippers, get your dog comfortable with you touching and handling their paws. Gently hold their paw and grasp a single toe, praising and rewarding them with treats for letting you handle their feet. This will help them get used to the sensation of having their paws touched and held during the trimming process.
Take it Slow
When you first start trimming your dog's nails, take it slow and trim a little at a time. Cut or grind each nail at a 45-degree angle, removing just the tip of the nail. This will help you avoid cutting into the quick, which can be painful and cause bleeding. The goal is to get your dog accustomed to the trimming process and build their tolerance over time.
Choose the Right Tools
There are different types of dog nail trimmers available, such as nail scissors, grinder tools, and guillotine types. Choose the right tool for your dog's size and nail type, and make sure the blades or sanding bands are sharp. If your dog has dark nails, consider using a nail grinder, which sands down the nail instead of cutting it, making it easier to avoid the quick.
Stay Calm and Positive
Keep a gentle and positive attitude throughout the trimming process. If your dog shows signs of fear or anxiety, don't push the issue as it may amplify their fears. Speak calmly to your dog, offer treats and praise, and take breaks if needed. With patience and persistence, most dogs can learn to accept and even look forward to nail trimming.
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Frequently asked questions
You should cut your miniature dachshund's nails about once a month or as frequently as once a fortnight. If you hear your dog's nails tapping on hard surfaces or see them visibly touching the ground, it's time for a trim.
You can use nail scissors for puppies, but as your dog grows, you'll need to invest in strong, good-quality nail clippers. Scissor-style clippers are better than guillotine-style clippers as they cut nails cleanly. You can also use nail grinders, which sand nails down instead of cutting them.
Cut or grind each nail at a 45-degree angle until you see some white inside the nail with a tiny black dot in the centre, which indicates you'll hit the quick if you go further. If you cut the quick, apply gentle pressure with a thick paper towel or gauze to slow the bleeding. You can also use styptic powder or cornflour.
Miniature dachshunds are often stubborn and anxious during nail trimming. You can use positive reinforcement by praising your dog for letting you touch their paws and handle the clippers, and rewarding them with treats. You can also use a grooming hammock to securely hold your dog in place and prevent wriggling.
