The majority of Dachshunds dislike getting their nails cut. It’s difficult to grasp them without inflicting pain due to their low stature and the angulation of their legs, which resembles that of a dwarf. The most crucial element in maintaining your doxie’s happiness and health is their nails. It’s crucial to choose a peaceful moment and the correct tools while trimming your Dachshund’s nails. Before you begin, you should inspect his feet for trash and matting. Give him a treat after which you should carefully trim the nails at a 45-degree angle to avoid cutting the quick.
What Are The Best Tools And Methods To Use In Cutting Your Dachshund Nails?
- Grooming Hammock.
The hammock helps hold your Dachshund in place while you trim their nails. With the hammock, they are both comfortable and safe, no more wiggles, no more bites! - Give them a treat.
Throughout the nail clipping process, have a helper give your dog small easy-to-chew treats. - Keep them distracted.
Talk to your dog to keep them as distracted as possible by giving them as many treats and attention as you can. - Use a Dremmel.
It allows you to work at a quicker pace which means that you can finish your nails in less time without the need for constant buffing. - Give positive verbal Praise.
It’s important to give positive verbal Praise when your pet is successful at a task. After each nail is trimmed, you can say “good” and give them a small treat.
How Do You Prepare Before Cutting Your Dachshund Nails?
1. Pick a time when your dachshund is calm.
Pick a time when your dachshund is relaxed and calm, so that might be after the morning or evening walk. You want him to be as chilled as possible so it’s easier and less stressful for everyone. Practice touching and holding your dog’s paw gently for a few seconds at a time. Then, give them a treat. This helps your dog stay calm when its paws are being touched. Do this multiple times a day before the actual nail trimming
2. Check your dachshund’s paws
It is very important to check your dachshund’s paws for any dirt or debris and matting between his toes before you do a nail trim. It is best to do the nail trim after a bath as part of a monthly grooming session.
3. Get into position
Sit down on the floor with your back against a couch or chair and position the dachshund so that he is on your lap, with his front paws resting on your knees. Laying his upper body gently over yours, you need to keep him still as you don’t want him to wriggle around while you’re trying to do his nails.
4. Reassure your dachshund
It can sometimes be difficult to calm down a frenzied dog and it is important that you do this slowly and calmly. Pets can sometimes associate loud or fast movements with being hurt so slow movements and quiet voices are usually more helpful in calming them down. You may find it easier to start by stroking their fur and talking softly to them.
Not only will a bad nail-cutting experience lead to more resistance next time you need to cut their nails, it will also make them more nervous and scared every time they see nail clippers.
How Often Should You Trim A Dachshund’s Nails?
A dog needs a nail trim when its toenails are “just about touch the ground when he or she walks.” If your dog’s nails are getting snagged on the carpet or clicking across the linoleum, it’s time for a trim. In general, how frequently you should trim your dog’s nails depends on their lifestyle and activity level. City or suburban dogs that regularly walk on the pavement are grinding their nails down naturally day to day, so they may not need frequent trims. On the other hand, even super-active country dogs need bi-weekly or monthly nail trims because their grass- or dirt-covered walks don’t wear down their nails.
For dog trainers and groomers, frequent nail trimming is a must. They will often recommend doing so every week to help them get used to the sensation and stop being afraid of it.
Puppies need more frequent nail trims than adults because their nails are growing at a faster rate. Have you ever been scratched by a puppy? Those adorable little nails are sharp! In general, it’s best to trim your puppy’s nails a little bit every week.
Another important reason to trim your puppy’s toenails weekly: it trains them to tolerate having their feet touched. The more you get your paw on their claws when they’re little, the easier it will be to trim their nails when they’re grown up.
What Length Should A Dachshund’s Nails Be?
Many people assume their dachshund’s nails should touch the floor when they’re standing. But well-trimmed nails should sit just above the ground so they’re not making contact at all. Ideally, they should be cut just where the nail starts to taper inwards.
A good way to check if their overlength is to listen out when your dachshund is walking on a tiled or wooden floor. If you can hear the click-clack of the nail touching the ground, you know they need a trim.
Should I Cut My Dachshund’s Nails Myself?
You can cut your dachshund’s nails yourself if you’re confident you know what you’re doing. However, it may be easier and less stressful to leave it to a professional dog groomer or your vet. If you get your dachshund’s nail trimming wrong and cut them too short, you could cause him pain or make him bleed.
Some dachshunds badly struggle with nail cutting and can get themselves really worked up. But professional dog groomers and vets know how to get things over and done quickly, making it less of an ordeal for everyone.
On the other hand, if you have a chilled dachshund who doesn’t mind his feet being touched, then you’ll probably get along just fine! It really does depend on your individual dachshund. This is why it is very important to train your Dachshund from when they are puppies that trimming their nails is worth the treats they will get in return. When they are puppies, start getting them used to being handled and touched on their feet, paws, and nails. This will help a lot when it comes time for that actual nail trimming.
Conclusion
An important part of your Dachshund’s grooming routine should be trimming nails. To begin with, it seems as though Dachshund nails tend to grow pretty fast. Or at least we’ve noticed Sampson’s front nails in particular grow quickly. Letting your Dachshunds nails get too long can mean injury and other health problems.
Dog nails that are too long can get caught on carpets or other objects and get pulled from the nail beds. With every step, long nails will impact the ground, displacing the normal position of the toe, causing pain and even lameness in your Dachshund. If you hear too much ‘clickity click’ when they trot around, it may be a sign that the nails are too long.
