Bearded Collies, or Beardies, were originally bred as working dogs to herd sheep and cattle. The breed originated in Scotland during the 1940’s and has become popular as both a working dog and as a family pet.
Beardies have incredibly long fur which requires regular grooming to remain in good condition. A Beardie will also need regular nail trims, and this article gives 10 tips on making it a quick and painless task.
1. Create A Calm Environment
Take your dog off to a quiet room where you will not be disturbed. If you have children or other dogs that are running around causing a distraction, then your dog is far more likely to get agitated. Put your dog’s bed or a comfortable cushion down on the floor for your dog to lie on.
If your dog is small, you might want to keep him in your lap so he feels secure. Spend at least five minutes stroking your dog and speaking in soothing tones to relax him completely before beginning. Never scold your dog if he jerks away or snaps at the clippers.
2. Choose The Right Time
Trying to cut your dog’s nails first thing in the morning whilst he is full of energy will almost certainly make the job much harder.
If you are going to use treats to reward your dog as you clip his nails, do not give his him his food until after you have finished. Choosing the perfect time to perform the task is essential to ensure that it goes smoothly.
Take your dog for a long walk beforehand to burn off any excess energy. Dogs will be much more likely to hold still for the clippers if they are not full of nervous energy.
3. Get Your Dog Used to The Clippers
Dogs have an uncanny ability to sense when you are plotting something that they may not enjoy. As soon as you approach them with the nail clippers, most dogs will immediately make a run for it without even knowing what you actually intend to do.
Gradually get your dog familiar with the nail clippers by setting them down on the ground and letting him investigate on his own.
Start by gently tapping the clippers on each of his nails to get him used to the sensation. Complete this exercise for several days before actually attempting to cut your dog’s nails.
4. Go Slowly
Trying to rush through the task will cause your dog to feel stressed and anxious, so always move slowly and calmly. Lift his feet gently and spend a minute just holding your dog’s paw in your hand until he begins to relax.
Pick up the clippers and let him smell them before placing them around the nail. If your dog jerks away after the first nail is cut, start the process again speaking in soothing tones.
Even if you only manage to complete one foot, this is still good progress and you can try again with the remaining feet after a few days.
5. Prepare Your Tools
Make sure you have everything you need close to hand before you start. Ideally, you should have a pair of good nail clippers, tweezers, treats, a towel, bandages and a small bowel of corn flour.
The corn flour is used to stop any bleeding if you accidently cut too close. If this happens, remain calm and immediately begin applying corn flour to the nail.
You may have to do this several times until the bleeding stops. Keep applying gentle pressure until the bleeding stops, and then wrap your dog’s paw in a bandage if necessary. If the nail continues to bleed, consult your veterinarian.
6. Identify The Quick
The quick is a blood vessel with a collection of nerve endings inside your dog’s nail. If you cut this by mistake, it will cause pain and distress to your dog, so always try to avoid it.
If your dog has white or pink nails, it will be much easier to see where the quick ends. Hold your dog’s paw firmly in your hand, and look at the nail from the side.
You should be able to see where the quick ends and the clear nail begins. Never try to cut directly next to the quick as this will make the nails sore and difficult to walk on.
7. Use a Firm Steady Voice
Rather than pleading with your dog, a firm, soothing tone will help him relax better. Your dog looks to you for reassurance in new situations, so showing him that you are calm and in control will allow him to feel secure.
Dogs associate a high-pitched voice with anxiety or nervousness, so speaking in a baby voice will indicate that something is wrong.
It is better to speak with your dog only when necessary and not constantly throughout the entire process. Instead, a firm hand and determined silence is much more likely to work on a reluctant dog.
8. Don’t Panic If You Make a Mistake
If you accidently cut your dog’s nails too short, do not panic as this will cause further stress to your dog. Keep him firmly in your arms, and attend to the nail until the bleeding stops.
If you allow your dog to run away and hide after the accident, he will remember it as a traumatic experience and be more reluctant to try it again.
Reassure your dog that everything is ok, and then continue with the other nails once the bleeding stops. If your dog licks the injured nail afterwards, this will not be a problem unless the behaviour becomes obsessive.
9. Turn The Experience Into A Game
If your dog refuses to be bribed with treats, grab his favourite toy or purchase a new one for the occasion. Play gently with your dog, but care not to get him overexcited.
Place the toy in your lap, and then command your dog to sit. Gently take his paw, and cut one or two nails. Praise him, and then carry on with the game.
Continue in this way until you have clipped all of the nails. This method is especially useful for dogs that have a short attention span or struggle to remain still for any length of time.
10. Reward Your Beardie For Good Behaviour
As soon as you have finished, reward your dog with lots of praise and a treat. You could also take him for a gentle walk.
Never allow your dog to run around like crazy immediately after a nail trim as the new nail is very sensitive for the first few days. If you have cut the nails close to the quick, running on stone surfaces could cause the nail to bleed which can easily lead to an infection.
Instead, stick to gentle exercise on grass or asphalt. As long as you make nail clipping a positive experience from the very beginning, your dog will not have any problems allowing you to complete the task in the future.