Best product for trimming nails on my small dog? (terriers, cost, maltese)

[kayanne]

I have a Maltese, about 11 pounds, and the nail clippers that I use on her have been splintering her nails. I think they have just gotten old and dull, and need replaced. Thought I'd check with y'all here to see what you recommend.

I have read about a rotary tool by Dremel (like an upscale PediPaw, I think), but I read that creates nail dust that can get in the dog's eyes. So I'm not sure if I want to try something like that, or just a good quality nail clipper.

Does anyone have a brand they love? Or do you know what groomers generally prefer?

Thanks!!

[ZSP]

I use a dremel on all five of my dogs. I have an older Lab, three Boston Terriers and one French Bulldog. I don't know what kind of clipper you're using but if they are old and dull...yes, that could be part of the problem you're having. They don't cost very much so replacing them shouldn't be a burden.

Here's a great link showing the different types of clippers. Sometimes I do use the Safari style and finish with the dremel to smooth all the rough edges.

Best Nail Clippers For Your Dog | Dogs By Nina

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I use the Four Paws clipper and I love it.

Amazon.com : Four Paws Magic Coat Super Mini Nail Clipper : Pet Nail Cauterizers : Pet Supplies

It's really sharp and doesn't crush the nail or splinter it. I thought about a Dremel, but didn't want to deal with my dog having to be good long enough for me to actually grind her nails. I wanted something quick and sharp and these clippers are great, and they happen to be cheap too LOL.

They have a guide plate so you won't cut too much nail off or you can cut them evenly. I don't really use this anymore, since her nails grow at really different rates - it's weird. But, it was really handy when I first got her and she was seriously NOT into sitting still for me. I could grab her paw and put the nail up to the plate guide and quickly snip.

I was tired of paying Petco $10 a month and having her come home with hardly anything cut off her nails. It's like they didn't want to deal with her and still charged me.

Now, she's good about sitting while I do it, since every time I have done it, she gets an entire Beggin' Strip afterwards! This is the treat she loves and very rarely gets, and usually only 1/2 a strip. So, although she still doesn't love having it done, when she sees the orange clippers come out, you can see her little brain thinking...yikes! No wait! I can do this! Beggin' Stips!

Edit: Oh, forgot to mention my dog is a 22 pound rat terrier.

[SocalPitgal]

Regular running and walking on the sidewalk or street always kept my dogs nails short when they were younger, roller blading and fetch. Now that they are older, I use a pair of clippers that the nail goes into, the top is shaped like a U. My dogs nails are so big though, when the dew claws get long, I just file my male with an emery board. My female, I can not get near her with clippers and use a dremmel on her. My dogs are both big, never had to clip a small dog. But I have seen some small dogs with some terrible long nails. Poor little things.

[Clemencia53]

I also use an emery board on my dogs sometimes, but the best is to just take them to the vet.

Inexpensive to get a nail trim and they use good tools. I've yet to buy a clipper that works perfectly. It's 5 dollars for a nail trim at my vet.

[dualie]

I also use a dremel on my guys. You do need to be very careful with a coated breed so you don't get the hair caught up in the tool.

Dogs who hate having their nails cut sometimes do much better with the dremel... but it takes a bit of practice and a good sturdy surface to work on