Liam Carter
Shelties, or Shetland Sheepdogs, are cheerful, intelligent dogs that require frequent grooming. While grooming your Sheltie, it is important to trim their nails regularly. Overgrown nails can interfere with their movement and cause strain on their tendons, potentially leading to limping and arthritis. There are various tools and techniques available for nail trimming, such as using nail clippers or grinders, and it is recommended to set aside time each week for grooming to maintain your Sheltie's nails and overall hygiene.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Every 2 weeks |
| Tools | Clippers, Guillotine-style clippers, Grinder, Scissors, Nail file |
| Process | Trim dew claws, fur between paw pads, and outer edges of paws. Cut long hairs on the feet and around the nails. Use clippers or grinders to trim nails. |
| Nail Identification | White nails have a pink quick, while black nails have a black center. |
| Nail Clipper Placement | Place the blade in front of the quick line for white nails. For black nails, snip in small increments and stop when you see a faint pink line. |
| Nail Grinder Usage | Apply for 5 seconds at a time to avoid overheating. Use light pressure to prevent the nail from bouncing off. |
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What You'll Learn
Guillotine-style clippers or an electric grinder
Guillotine-style clippers are a type of dog nail clipper designed to chop off the tip of the nail. They are named after the antiquated execution device because of their similar mechanism, albeit on a much smaller scale. This style of clipper has a loop at the end and a blade that slices upward when you squeeze the handle. They are best for small to medium-sized nails as they are not as strong as other styles.
To use a guillotine-style clipper, place your Sheltie's toenail inside the metal loop and align the upper and lower blades with the area to cut. Squeeze the handles to cut the nail. It is important to only cut off small amounts of nail at a time to avoid cutting the quick, the blood and nerve supply. You should also be cautious that your dog's nail doesn't get caught in the clippers, as this could cause damage or tearing if they pull away.
Electric or battery-powered nail grinders are a good alternative to clippers, especially for dogs that are uncomfortable with them. They slowly and gently file the nails down rather than cutting them and can be used to smooth out sharp edges after trimming with clippers. Grinders are also useful for dogs with black nails, where it is difficult to see the quick. However, care should be taken not to overheat the nails when using a grinder.
The Dremel PawControl 7760-PGKD Deluxe Pet Nail Trimming Kit is a highly recommended nail grinder that is easy to use for both professionals and novices. It has a nail safety guard and a wide variety of grinding attachments. The battery life is also impressive, lasting up to three hours.
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How to identify when nails need trimming
Shelties need to have their toenails cut regularly. Overgrown nails can interfere with their movement and walking ability. To determine if your Sheltie’s nails need trimming, stand them on a flat, stable surface and examine their nails. If their nails are touching the ground, they are too long. None of the nails should touch the surface.
Notice that each toenail curves and tapers into a point. If the toenail is light, you will see the pink interior, or the “quick”. This is the blood supply. Just below the quick is the curved tip of the nail that needs to be removed. If the nails are dark, use a penlight to illuminate and find the quick.
You should check your Sheltie's nails every couple of weeks. If you wait too long between trims, the quick (the blood vessel in the nail) will begin to extend, making it difficult to keep the nail short.
Many shelties are active enough to grind their nails down naturally when they run, but less-active dogs should have their nails trimmed more frequently.
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Trimming dew claws
Dew claws are usually removed when a Sheltie is very young, around three days old. However, if your Sheltie still has its dew claws, they will need to be trimmed regularly. Dew claws are the claws that are completely separate from all the other claws on a Sheltie's paws, found further up their leg. If they are ignored, they can become overgrown and cause problems. Overgrown dew claws can get caught on things while your Sheltie is on a walk, or even on furniture or carpets at home, causing the dew claw to pull, break, or tear, and injure your dog. In some cases, dew claws have been known to grow back into the dog's skin if they are not trimmed, or even grow so long that they form a circle around the dog's leg.
To trim your Sheltie's dew claws, you will need to decide which trimmer works best. You can use either a guillotine trimmer or a scissor trimmer. If your dog's dew claw is black or dark in colour, be very careful not to cut too far down, as it will be harder to see the quick (the blood supply). Only trim very close to the tip, so you don't accidentally cut the quick. If the dew claw is clear or white, you may be able to see the quick through the claw, and can trim accordingly.
It is important to keep your dog calm and still while trimming their dew claws, to avoid any injury. You can do this by using a gentle voice and treats as a distraction. It may also be helpful to have assistance from a partner, who can restrain the dog by holding it on a table or lying with it on the floor. If your dog is on a table, be sure to stand next to them to prevent them from rolling off. If your dog is lying on the floor, position yourself so you are draped over their body with your arms stretched towards the leg you need to work on.
If your dog's dew claw has been ignored for a long time, it may have curled into a circular shape. This will make it easier to fit a guillotine trimmer underneath the claw. Move the dew claw slightly away from the dog's foot before trimming.
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Using a nail grinder
When using the grinder, it is important to only place it against the nail for around five seconds at a time, as the friction can heat up the nail, which may be uncomfortable for your dog. You should also be careful not to apply too much pressure, but enough to keep the nail from bouncing off the grinder. If your dog has long hair, keep it away from the grinder so it doesn't get caught and ripped out.
The benefit of using a grinder is that you can slowly work your way towards the quick without causing any harm to your dog. The quick is the blood vessel in the nail, and cutting it can be painful and cause bleeding. By using a grinder, you can avoid this risk.
To use the grinder, pick up your dog's paw and place your thumb on the pad of the toe, and your forefinger on the top of the toe, above the nail. Push your thumb slightly up and backward on the pad, while pushing your forefinger forward to extend the nail. Then, apply the grinder to the nail, working in small increments until you get close to the quick.
It is important to regularly trim your Sheltie's nails for their health and comfort. Long nails can cause issues with their paws and feet, so it is important to make nail trimming a part of your grooming routine.
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How to trim black nails
Trimming your Sheltie's black nails can be a little tricky, but it's important to do so regularly. Overgrown nails can affect your dog's posture and movement and even hinder their walking ability. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to trim your Sheltie's black nails:
Prepare the Nails:
Before you begin cutting, it's essential to examine the nails to determine the trimming required. Stand your Sheltie on a grooming table and check if any of the nails are touching the surface. If they are, they need to be trimmed. Look for the "quick," the blood supply that appears as a pink interior in clear nails. In black nails, the quick is challenging to locate until you start cutting. It will appear as a small black dot in the centre of the white horn, which is the softer, flakier interior of the nail.
Trim the Nails:
Use sharp dog nail clippers specifically designed for pets, as human nail trimmers are not suitable. Guillotine-style clippers or scissor-style trimmers are good options for Shelties. If your Sheltie has black nails, snip small increments at a time and stop when you see a faint pink line in the middle of the nail. This line indicates the quick. Alternatively, look for the black spot or pulp in the cross-section of the nail, which signals that you are nearing the quick.
Finish and Smooth:
Once you've trimmed your Sheltie's nails to a comfortable length, you can finish by smoothing the nails. You can use a nail grinder to smooth the tips, but be cautious not to overheat the nails. Angled cuts can also help smooth the top and bottom of the nail.
Remember always to go slowly and carefully when trimming black nails. It's better to trim a little at a time than to cut too close to the quick, which can bleed quite a bit. If you do accidentally trim the quick, you can use styptic powder or corn starch to stop the bleeding.
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