Dark nails

Generally, you don't hit a quick with the dremel. You might hit the meaty, "wet" part, but the dog will pull back and protest before you get to the quick. I've never made a dog bleed with a dremel, even when I've intentionally gone VERY close. 

so does that mean, instead of using a dremel, i can just use a nail clipper and cut of one thin layer after the next, and the dog will get uncomfortable before i hit the quick? would that be safe method?

That hasn't ever worked, for me. I always end up getting a drop of blood, if I do it that way. 

ah damn.... here i thought i had a solution. lol... thanks anyways..

Hi!  Someone recommended the quickfinderclipper--we ordered one (the one for dogs up to 75 pounds), and think that it will work great.  We tried the 'detecting' it does on black nails, and it seemed to really work!!  We were just testing it out--seeing how the lights read out--and didn't actually cut the nails right then, though--most of our babies are so sensitive about their feet!   We're trying to work up nerve--and figure out how to effectively hold  the dog!!!

We've had the same luck that you have had with home nail trimming--we always seem to end up with bleeding!  Unfortunately, the alternative is a 45-minute one-way trip to our vet--he never has bleeding!  So, it's a trade-off between doing it at home and traumatizing those who don't travel well with a long car trip!!

Based on what we saw with the quickfinderclipper (we purchased from a great person on Ebay--ConnieChristine915), we think that we'll be happy with it--and would recommend that you try it.  The website says that they will come out with an xtra-large model in 08, for dogs over 75 pounds or with tough nails.  We plan on getting one of those also when available. 

I read about this in CatFancy Magazine, and they gave it a great review.

Good luck!

Janet

jennie_c_d

I've never made a dog bleed with a dremel, even when I've intentionally gone VERY close. 

I use a Dremel too, and I have actually quicked a nail a couple of times, but I usually don't notice for a few seconds. They don't yank the paw away and yelp like with clippers, and instead of gushing all over the place, they just ooze a tiny drop of blood that's easily staunched by holding a tissue on it for a few seconds.
 

yeah... the quick finder clipper... that's the one i was talking about. i wish i had a credit card. i'd order all that cool stuff online...

redlegos

Not sure if this will help;

This "detects" when you can clip by three lights that it has on it.

http://www.quickfinderclipper.com/ 

I can not WAIT to go to PetsMart and get these!!!!! Bee Bee's nails are all black and I've been waiting almost a month, til she goes to the vet, to get her nails trimmed.

Years ago I used to trim my Pug's and my Boston Terrier's nails. They made me so nervous because occasionally I would nip them. I really hope these work.

 Just want you to realize this thread is 5 yrs old so that product may or may not exist

It was there but I read all of the reviews online before I went and no one liked it...

Dremel seems to be the way to go.