Tips On Clipping Your Dog's Toe Nails

Regular nail trimming is important to your dog's health and well-being. Use nail clippers designed for your dog's nail. Most dogs do not like their claws trimmed while other dogs will sit calmly while you trim. Clipping nails should be started when dogs are very young. 

You will need to get the dog accustomed to you holding their paw and applying a little pressure. Use special treats as rewards for their cooperation. These treats should be special and not used at any other time except for nail clipping. A soft voice should also be used to let the dog know you mean no harm.

Supplies you should have ready before starting the nail clipping. There are a variety of nail clippers available on the market. Visit your pet store and see which one feels best in your hand. With the guillotine type clipper the nail goes through the opening for the nail to be clipped. 

You should also have available a small file for those ragged edges. If your dog will not let you file his nails after clipping and he is an outside dog he will smooth the nail naturally. Another helpful item is a styptic pen that can be used if there is a small amount of bleeding.

After your dog has become accustom to the pressure against his paw you should try just clipping the tips of a few nails. Take as much time as needed to gain your dog's trust. 

Then holding the paw in your hand use your thumb to press each digit you are working with. The nail should be in full view with no obstructions even the hair around the nail. Inspect the top and bottom of each nail. White nails you can identify the quick where the blood vessels are located much easier than with black nails. Cutting the tips off will cause the quick to recede a little after each clipping. 

Cutting the tips of black nails is especially important if you are not able to identify the quick. Claws on the hind feet are often shorter and require less frequent trimming than those on the front feet. Don't forget the dew claws on the inside of the foot if your dog has not had those removed. Dew claws do not touch the ground so they are not worn down as the dog walks.

When using the guillotine trimmers place the nail through the stationary ring in trimmer cutting nail top to bottom or bottom to top. The blade should always be facing you to see how much nail you are cutting. You will be less likely to cut the quick. Do not cut nail side to side this may cause nail to splinter. Several small cuts should be used to prevent cutting the quick. Should you make the nail bleed use the styptic pen until you get the bleeding stopped. If the bleeding continues call your veterinarian.

Nail clipping regularly is important and will keep your dog healthy and happy. Should you feel uncomfortable clipping the nails contact your veterinarian or a good groomer.

What Do You Really Know About Your Dog's Sleeping Behaviors?

There is something about watching your dog sleep that is comforting and sometimes even comical. Do you know, several of your dog's sleep behaviors are similar to ours and others are inherent?

The average dog sleeps 12 - 13 hours per day. It may not seem that way, but puppies snooze even longer! That is almost half their life! Dogs are skillful at catching a few winks whenever they can. That form of napping is similar to Stage 1 sleep, where they are sleeping, but just barely.

Sleep is a vital part of the health, physical and emotional well-being of your dog's life. It is during sleep that puppies grow, wounds heal and energy is conserved and stored for what lies ahead.

Companion dogs kept indoors, sleep longer and deeper than dogs kept outdoors and working dogs. Dogs kept outdoors and working dogs try to slip in an extra nap here or there, but rarely relax enough to reach a healthy, deep, restful sleep.

Do Dogs Dream?

It appears dogs follow similar stages of sleep as humans. Stage 1, is barely sleeping. This is where most outdoor dogs, wild dogs and working dogs sleep. At Stage 2, the animal's blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and body temperatures gradually lower. Stage 3 is a transitional state between light and deep sleep. Stage 4 is the slow wave stage where usually the dog is now oblivious to their surroundings. If awakened suddenly, they often appear confused. Stag 5 is where the fun begins! This is the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase of sleep. Here, their body relaxes, but their brain remains active. At this stage, your dog's eyes roll under the lids and they slowly ease into those dreams we find so amusing. They whimper, growl, make lapping and eating sounds and motions, whine, bark, and/or appear to be chasing something!

Most indoor dogs spend up to 12% of their sleeping time in REM. Puppies spend a greater percentage of time in REM. During this stage, it is thought puppies process and merge what they are learning every day, into behaviors they will follow.

Interestingly, smaller dogs tend to dream more than their larger cousins.

Shaking during sleep can be perfectly normal for the average dog. Dogs that have suffered trauma and puppies removed from their mom too soon, may also shake in their sleep. Shaking could also be an indicator of health problems in dogs, such as hypothyroidism, pain, chills, and gastrointestinal discomfort.

If your dog is shaking while sleeping, calmly call their name and gently pet or touch them, to reassure them that everything is OK. Do not shake them awake! It is not known, if dogs have nightmares, but given the fact many rescues and dogs that have suffered severe physical and emotional trauma shake in their sleep, a little assurance goes a long way.

Favored Positions of a Sleeping Dog

The sleeping position of your dog tells you a lot about him or her. Some like to sleep on their stomachs, almost like in a "down" position. This allows them to jump up at the slightest perceived threat or fact they may be missing out on what you are doing.

Others prefer sleeping on their side. This is a restful position. Your dog is comfortable with their surroundings.

Then we have the "Superdog" sleeper. They choose sleeping stretched out, on their stomachs. They look like they are flying. They are in a restful sleep, but ready to go as soon as they hear you move!

The most inherent position for sleeping is curling up. You will see this as a favorite sleeping position of dogs kept outdoors. You will find them curled up into a ball, with their paws under their body and their tail wrapped around their face. It is the least vulnerable and least restful position for sleep. They are conserving body heat, they protecting limbs, face, throat and vital organs. This position gives them the advantage to be on their feet immediately. The dog's muscles are tense and ready to spring into action, if need be. Dogs that sleep in this position rarely relax enough to drift into the REM stage.

Curling is the normal sleeping position for wild dogs and wolves packing together. It offers a sleeping position for awareness upon awakening as their senses are heightened to movements, sounds and scents. They conserve space in the den; protect their offspring and share body heat. You will notice even most domesticated puppies inherently curl up together or around their mother.

Finally, we have what looks the "dead roach" position. There are dogs that favor sleeping on their backs; with their legs in the air...looking just like a dead cockroach! This is the position found only in a very secure and confident indoor pet. Sleeping on their back is the most vulnerable position for a dog to sleep. It is thought to be the most comfortable and most restful position. Plus, it's your dog's way of cooling down quickly. Indoor dogs that have expended lots of energy and/or are over-heated will sleep on their backs.

The sleeping on their back position has not been observed as behavior exhibited by dogs or wolves in the wild. Dogs kept outdoors will not sleep in this position either. This position sends a message of vulnerability and submission.

It should be noted; dogs sleeping on their backs with their paws "protecting" their chest are indicating they prefer not to be bothered. Use caution when suddenly awakening any dog sleeping in this position!

Now that you know more about what goes on when your dog sleeps, you will have some insight about their confidence and sense of well being. In addition, it will give you a clue of why your dog behaves the way it does, when they are awake.

Bottom line: Comfort equals healthier, more and deeper sleep. Whatever sleeping position your dog prefers, make sure their sleeping accommodations are safe and comfortable. A dog that is well rested is generally healthier and happier.

How To Read What Your Dog Is Saying

Dogs are certainly one of the most popular pets in the planet. Who wouldn't fall in love with a dog? They are known for their loyalty and their ability to have fun. Whereas cats will lie down by your feet and have themselves scratched to the point of sleeping, dogs will engage you with their different antics and games. However, in order to have a good and meaningful relationship with your pet doggy, it is important that you are able to communicate with him and understand much of his behavior. After all, dogs, just like humans, have their own individual personalities.

Know His Bark

Just as we humans use different tones when speaking to other people, so do dogs have different barks. That is why it is important for you, as a dog owner, to be familiar with your dog's different barks. There are barks that will indicate playfulness, some that will indicate his willingness to do an activity such as taking a walk, and yet, there is that specific bark that will indicate that he is worried about some imminent danger lurking nearby.

Check out the tail and the ears

It is a known fact that in order to see just how friendly your dog is at the moment, all you need to do is observe his tail. A wagging tail usually indicates playfulness or a friendly attitude. However, if the tail is tucked and a bit rigid, you should be a bit more cautious since this may indicate that he is a bit on the worried side of things. If the tail us upright stiff or with a bit of a quiver, then chances are that he is in a highly aggressive mood and that he is willing to attack and defend hist territory at any given time.

The ears also serve as an indication of what your dog is trying to say. With a dog's ears of but not placed forward and stiff, this often means that your dog is in a very relaxed state. However, just as we humans frown at something when we get mad or even disagree, so do your dogs ears. When a dog's ears start stiffening and going upright, then chances are that your dog is in a very uncomfortable and worried state.

Sniffing out of curiosity

When a dog is uncertain about something he encounters, he usually stretches out his neck and starts to sniff. This is not a sign of fear but rather of uncertainty as your dog starts to observe and process the thing that he sees nearby. Just as we try to assess situations which we are uncertain of, so does your dog.

There are many body languages which are associated with a dog's behavior. However, probably the best way to really know your dog is to observe his mannerisms as he goes through his daily routines. Eventually, you and he would have established a comfortable way of communicating which could lead to a very meaningful and long-lasting relationship.