When grooming any dog, no matter for a dog show or pet groom, I like to focus on the paws. My goal is always neat, well-groomed paws with short nails.
This is not just an aesthetic issue. Messy, furry feet with long nails will compromise the health and comfort of your dog.
Long nails affect your dog’s weight distribution and balance, making walking and running difficult and painful. Long nails are also a hazard because they can get caught and torn.
If you have a long haired breed, furry ‘slippers’ interfere with a dog’s proprioception. Paw pads are an important sensory part of the paw that tells dogs where they are walking and gives them messages about their location in space. The paws can stay messy on top but not between the pads. When a dog can feel where it’s feet are on the ground, it will feel more balanced.
On old arthritic dogs and dogs with injuries, it is especially important to keep their paws neat. Furry paws will slip and slide on smooth flooring.
Trimming your dog’s nails and furry paws should form part of your dog’s regular grooming and health procedure.
How to trim furry paws
1. Clip nails first. Read my top 15 tips for how to trim your dog’s nails.
2. Turn over your dog’s paw and remove all the fur in between the pads.
NO DOG needs any fur there especially when it is wet and muddy outside in winter. Grass seeds and dirt can get stuck and dragged into the house. I use small, blunt tip scissors to remove the fur. For extremely furry paws, I use a clipper which is easier and faster than the scissors.
3. Turn the paw right side up. Pull out fur from in between the toes and cut them off. Then use a slicker brush to lift the fur and finish off by cutting off all excess hair. If you are unsure how much to cut off, aim for round cat-like paws.
A neat paw with short nails will help your dog’s balance and make walking and running more comfortable.