What’s Wrong with Clippers?

Nothing.  Nothing at all.  If you’re a using them on a human.  Our nails are flat and sit entirely on top of the quick (the blood supply under the nail).  But things are different for dogs.  Their nails are rounded instead of flat.  And the quick extends much farther and at an angle under the nail.  So in order to properly used clippers, you have to cut the nail at an angle to the quick.  Even then, it is painfully (literally) easy to hit the quick.  You will know because your dog will let out a pitiful yelp and, if your dog is like mine, run away and hide.  The nail will bleed, the dog will lick it and you will never again have a hassle free clipping experience.

But this is a worst-case scenario.  Even on the best attempts, you are still pinching and fracturing your dog’s nails.  You will notice that most clippers come with a file and powder.  This is because there is no good way to clip a dog’s nails.  They will end up rough, flaking and bleeding more often than not.  Clippers simply don’t do the job well enough.  While they won’t kill your dog, they will certainly cause them undo pain and suffering.  And each time you cut their nails, they will struggle a little more.  But there is a solution.

Why is a nail grinder a better decision?

First off, a nail grinder is a better choice for your dog.  It is painless and relatively hard to mess up once you figure out how to get it working.  Some of the models I reviewed do have a steep learning curve, but it is worth it in the end.  The basic function of a grinder, and the reason it is a better tool than clippers, is to file the nail rather than cut it.  Grinders make it much harder to hit the quick and do not cause the nail to break apart like a clipper.  Most importantly, they do not make trimming nails a chore for both you and your dog.
It is also important to note that even professional groomers can make a mess of trimming a dog’s nails.  They can also cost a fortune if you get your dog’s nails trimmed as often as you should.  A nail grinder can pay for itself in just a few trimmings and the cost of replacement grinding pads is minimal.

What kind of grinder should I buy?

While there are many different brands, there are only two basic types of grinders.  Corded and cordless.  I tried one of each.  My corded option was an Oster and my cordless was a Dremel.  While I cannot tell a vast difference between brands, there was a difference between corded and cordless.  First, the cordless variety offers less power and costs more.  Not much of a decision here.  While I love Dremel as a brand and use their products quite a lot, the battery powered version simply doesn’t make as much sense as the corded products.  Unless you’ll be trimming your dog’s nails out in the middle of the woods, the odds are good that you’ll be near an outlet.  In the event that you should decide to participate in a dog show, the typical grinder even comes with a carrying case for all the pieces.

The real decision you have to make is whether your dog will respond well to the noise or not.  Clippers may be less effective, but they are silent.  My dog, fearing most everything that makes a noise or involves running water, runs from the whirring electric noise of the grinder.  He is very obedient when it comes to the stay command, but the grinders try his limits.  Even though they are painless, this problem is not attributed only to my dog.
As for where to buy, you can find them most anywhere.  Your local pet store, online stores or from auction sites where you can buy a used one.

How does this thing work?

 First off, my Oster came with terrible instructions.  You must make sure you do this properly, as it can still be dangerous or painful if you make a mistake.

As with any person’s nails, make sure your dog’s nails are clean and dry when you trim them.  I prefer to do it just after a bath since my dog loves to play outside and tends to get very dirty very quickly.  I would also suggest that you trim them after your dog has cooled off.  Like any animal, the dog’s circulation will decrease a bit in his extremities when he is cool.  This causes the blood to receded into the quick and makes bleeding less likely.  You may also want to give him the chance to potty before you attempt this as, at least in my dog’s case, he may urinate on you.  If your dog has long hair around the paws, you will also want to make sure you do not catch any in the grinder.  I personally found it useful to use a hand lotion to slick the hairs back against the paw.  It lessens the chance of catching one and it will come out of the fur with a cloth.
One trick I would like to share is the use of a hemorrhoid cream.  Before you skip this section, you may fall into the group that need this advice.  If you wait too long between trimmings, the quick can grow farther out into the nail.  Using a hemorrhoid cream causes the blood to receded a bit and allows you to cut farther without damaging the dog’s paw.

I would also recommend cutting the back nails first.  Dogs are typically more shy about their front paws and cutting them last will save you some squirming.

I also advise rounding off the tip of the nail.  It is quite easy to do and will prevent a lot of issues such as the dog cutting itself when scratching.  It will also prevent damage to your furniture.

Some grinders come with a guard or even a dust collector to help with clean up from the nail powder left behind from grinding nails.  If you find one such as that, I recommend it over another brand.

Now, with a bit of practice you will be able to painlessly and quickly trim your dog’s nails with the grinder.  You will likely make a few mistakes, but that happens with all new products.  Keep at it knowing that, in the long run, you are saving a lot of time and agony.  Not to mention money if you use a groomer.  Give your dog a break, not his nails.  Buy a grinder and find out how good they are for yourself.