Best Pooch

Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is important for their health and safety. Untrimmed nails can break, or get caught on carpet or other objects, causing injury. Depending on the type of dog and shape of their nails, untrimmed nails could end up curling back into the dog’s feet. My Bassett Hound is a good example of this problem. Her nails grow so fast, that if not trimmed weekly, the nail gets dangerously close to her pad. Trimming is especially important for apartment dogs, as they usually do not get enough outdoor exercise to wear down the nails naturally.

It’s fairly easy to trim your dog’s nails, especially if they have light colored nails, because you can see where the nerves and blood vessels begin. Dogs with black nails are a bit harder to deal with and should be clipped with extra care.

You should invest in a pair of high quality trimmers that are the appropriate size for your dog. I made the mistake of buying inexpensive clippers and they didn’t last past the first few trimmings. A good pair of nail clippers will last for years. You should also have some Kwik-Stop, or other product on hand to stop the bleeding if you cut too far.

I have a regular routine with my dogs, where they are relaxed and lay quietly while I trim their nails, however it took a long time to work up to where we are now. You have to try and make trimming a pleasant experience. If your dog is not used to having their nails trimmed, start slowly and don’t trim too much the first time. You don’t want to accidentally hurt them and give them something frightening to remember. Just get your dog used to the routine, even if you only cut one nail a day, for a week. Once they become comfortable with your handling their paws, trimming will go easily

You may want to sit on the floor with the dog in your lap, or on the floor in front of you , whichever is most comfortable and easily accessible. Hold your dog’s paw, firmly and using the trimmer, cut the nail below the quick on a 45 degree angle, with the cutting end of the clipper toward the end of the nail. Remember, especially in the beginning, make small clips, instead of one big clip, until you are sure of where the quick is and avoid bleeding. One way to tell (on light nails) is the pink color where the quick ends, and as you cut you can see a blackish dot when you look at the nail straight on. I usually leave plenty of room before getting anywhere near the quick, since I trim so regularly.

If you start a regular trimming routine, it really is not difficult to cut your dog’s nails on your own. If you have a large or hard to handle dog, then you may want to just set up regular appointments with your vet or groomer. Another good thing about trimming your dog’s nails gradually and on a regular basis, is that the quick will regress further up into the nail, which allows you to cut the nails shorter over time.

About six months ago, after finally landing a job, my daughter moved 1500 miles away. Her boyfriend travels a lot for business, so recently she bought the puppy she has “always wanted” to keep her company.

This adorable little Beagle was about 12 weeks old and the last of the litter to leave her mom. It didn’t take too long to discover that this little girl had a big case of separation anxiety. She cried nonstop unless she was being held and very soon my daughter was at her wits end from lack of sleep, and from fear of getting kicked out of her apartment!

Health-wise the pup checked out fine, but she was too small for prescription anti-anxiety medication. She got plenty of exercise and had a large kennel which she seemed to like, however nothing seemed to work to calm her at night, or when left alone for even a few minutes. The puppy had temporarily cried/barked herself hoarse and we were scrambling to find a solution before she found her voice again.

A chamomile collar seemed to help the symptoms a little - for about a day. Then I found a product online that seemed to be getting good feedback, but the price seemed a little high ($40-$50 range). Being the online shopper that I am though, (clears throat) I found it at almost half that price HERE. It’s called Comfort Zone with D.A.P., and it looks like one of those plug-in air fresheners. Even though I had my doubts, I bought one and a refill and had it shipped to my daughter via priority mail (2 day delivery).

Plugged in near where the puppy’s crate is kept (out of her reach, of course) – it started working that first day! She slept much better and the whining and incessant barking was greatly reduced. Apparently the D.A.P. in the diffuser is a synthetic pheromone that mimics the type of “appeasing pheromones” emitted from nursing female dogs, which have a calming effect on pups.

After the first week, the diffuser no longer needed to be plugged in 24 hrs a day, and it is now only used when she is going to be left alone for several hours. I am sure that results vary depending on the type of dog and/or it’s history, but Comfort Zone is definitely a safe option that is worth a shot when you are confronted with doggie anxiety problems.