How To Cut Golden Retriever Nails

First-time dog owners are often hesitant to cut their dog’s nails, worried they would hurt their pets. The concern is valid since cutting the quick is painful for dogs.

However, the consequences of letting a dog’s nails grow too long are significantly worse than the consequences of accidentally cutting the quick.

You will soon master cutting your dog’s nails with enough practice, and your golden will quickly get used to the process.

When to Start Cutting Dog Nails

The short answer to when to start trimming puppy nails is – as early as possible. Young puppies don’t need their nails cut. However, beginning to cut your puppy’s nails early will make it accustomed to the process, ensuring it doesn’t cause you trouble in the future.

Don’t wait until your puppy is six months old to trim its nails for the first time – start trimming its nails the first weeks it arrives at your home. Even if there isn’t much to cut, do it regularly, little by little.

Picking The Right Tools

The only tool you’ll need to cut your golden retriever’s nails are nail clippers, but not all nail clippers are equally good. Choose nail clippers that fit your dog’s paw size and your hand.

Since golden retrievers are a large breed, small nail clippers won’t do the job. Refer to the sizing guidelines on the nail clipper pack or information on the manufacturer’s website if you’re buying them online.

Dog nail clippers come in three types: scissors, guillotine, and nail grinders. The former type is the most popular and works the best for dogs with thick nails like golden retrievers.

True to their name, scissor-type nail clippers work like scissors – as you squeeze the handles together, the blades come together and slice the tip of the nail.

Scissor clippers are perfect for golden retrievers because they allow you to see precisely where the nail will be cut, and goldens have black nails, so finding the quick of the nail is tricky.

If you don’t have experience, you may accidentally cut the tip of the quick and hurt your dog. Guillotine-type clippers are suitable for golden retriever puppies. They have a stationary ring for the puppy’s nails.

When you squeeze the handles, a blade slides up through the ring, slicing the tip of the nail. This clipper type is better for experienced users.

Lastly, a nail grinder is a perfect solution for dogs that can’t stand having their nails cut. Nail grinders have an electronic file that spins at high speed, slowly filing down the nail.

Nail grinders cause less stress to the dog, reduce the risk of cutting the quick, and leave a smooth edge. However, they take a while to trim the nail, so the entire procedure may take up to an hour.

Choose The Right Moment

Don’t attempt to cut your golden retriever’s nail while it’s full of energy. Goldens are active dogs that won’t sit still if they want to run and play.

Go for a long walk with your dog before the nail trimming session to drain its energy. However, don’t let your dog become overly tired and sleepy because it may become irritated if you don’t let it rest.

Don’t overfeed your dog before nail cutting because you want it to be interested in treats. However, some goldens are always hungry, so this may not be an issue with your dog.

Don’t cut your dog’s nails when it’s stressed or anxious. If you’ve recently moved houses, had an unpleasant vet visit, or brought a new pet into the house, postpone the procedure until your dog calms down.

Many dogs don’t like having their nails cut, so by doing it while your dog is stressed, you reinforce negative associations with the process. You want to create positive associations with nail cutting to ensure your dog is patient next time.

How To Cut Dog Nails Step-by-Step

Now, let’s get to the gist of it. Start by gathering your supplies – nail clippers, treats, and lots of patience. You will also need styptic powder, cornstarch, or flour in case you accidentally cut your dog’s nail quick.

Wait until your dog is calm and in a good mood. Sit behind your dog or to its side and flip its paw backward to get a view of the paw pad. However, you can pick a different position you find comfortable.

Next, expose the nail. If your golden retriever has “Grinch feet,” you may benefit from trimming its paws before cutting the nails. Paw trimming is essential if you use a nail grinder because it may grab fur and yank.

Place one of your dog’s toes between your fingers and squeeze it lightly to make the claw show. Now, grab the clippers and inspect the nail to determine where to cut.

Your goal is to cut the nail as short as possible without cutting the quick. Finding the quick on white nails is simple, but the golden retriever nail quick isn’t visible until you start cutting.

Therefore, cut the nail little by little. When the inside of the claw begins to look chalky, you’re approaching the quick. Stop when you notice a black dot in the middle of the nail – that’s the quick’s end.

Alternatively, you can determine how much of a dog’s nail to cut by finding a nail’s part that is much skinnier than the rest of the nail. Cut the nail at a 45-degree angle because your dog’s nails should be parallel to the floor.

Don’t forget about the dewclaws – golden retrievers have extra claws higher up the front leg but not on the back legs. Give your dog a treat after every paw to reward it for patience.

Grind your dog’s nails as a finishing touch to ensure they aren’t too sharp. You can use an electric nail grinder or a rough nail file.

Keep the file at a 45-degree angle and use short strokes. Remember to check how close you’re getting to the quick.

Help, I’ve Cut The Quick!

Sometimes, accidents happen. A dog may have moved at the last second, or you’ve accidentally trimmed too much – regardless of the reason, there’s no need to worry if you’ve cut the quick.

If your dog’s nail is bleeding, take a bit of styptic powder, flour, or cornstarch and apply it to the quick. Then, apply pressure until the claw stops bleeding.

If the bleeding is severe, opt for a veterinarian’s help. How long a dog’s nail quick takes to heal depends on the case severity.

Usually, the quick takes about a week to heal, but it may need more time if you’ve cut too much, so don’t hurry with the next nail cutting session.

Dog Nail Cutting Mistakes

“A smart person learns from his mistakes, but a truly wise person learns from the mistakes of others,” so know the most common mistakes in cutting dog nails before you begin.

Don’t cut too much at a time to avoid cutting the quick. Be patient and cut little by little because quality and safety are more important than how quickly you finish the procedure.

Don’t force your dog to have its nails trimmed – if three people restrain your dog while you’re cutting its nails, it will be scared of nail clippers in the future.

You shouldn’t discipline or punish your dog for not sitting still for the same reason. Your goal is to create positive associations with the process, so reward your dog after every nail or paw.

How Often to Cut Dog Nails

The nail growth speed differs from dog to dog, so there’s no universal answer to how often to cut a golden retriever’s nails. On average, dogs need to have their nails trimmed every three to four weeks.

However, the nails of senior dogs don’t typically grow as fast and may need to be cut less frequently. In contrast, you may need to cut puppy nails weekly to get your little buddy accustomed to the process quicker.

The frequency of nail trimming also depends on a particular dog’s lifestyle. Dogs that often walk on rough terrains, such as gravel or asphalt, may need less frequent mail trimming because their nails wear down as they walk.

On the opposite, if your dog spends most of its time running on the lawn or beach, trim its nails regularly.

To determine whether your dog’s nails are too long, check whether they touch the ground when your dog is standing still. If they are, it’s time for nail trimming, and if not, you can postpone the procedure.

When a golden retriever’s nails are too long, its toes are pressed up or twisted to the side, causing pain as the dog walks. Long nails can also grow into the paw pad, potentially causing infection.

Furthermore, long nails can get caught in carpets, blankets, or clothes. Long nails can lead to arthritis and an unusual stance in the long term.

Over time, the dog’s nail quick grows to accommodate the nail length. If the quick grows out too much, cutting the dog’s nails short enough may be impossible.

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