I have unfortunately allowed my dog's nails to get much too long. I typically use the dremel but they are long enough now that I'm going to clip them a few times. My question is:

I know that you can shorten them more and more over time, and that the quick will recede farther and farther up into the nail. How often should I be clipping them right now to make that happen? How long does it take the quick to pull higher into the nail? I did the first clipping a couple of days ago. How long will it take for some recession before I can do it again?

Thanks everyone!

Edit for more info:
Adult male German Shepherd. I took off a good amount 2 days ago, maybe 1/8 or 1/4 inch using the guard. They don't touch the floor right now but I'd still like a tad shorter if possible. I read something that said 7 days between trims to allow the quick to recede as a general rule--does that sound accurate?

I don't think that the quick will recede very much if the nails do not touch the floor.

For example, it has been my experience that dewclaw quicks do no recede too readily.

I'm thinking that this is because there is no concussion on the dewclaw.

I am no groomer, others perhaps have better info.

One of my GSDs has "very" short nails/quick from the concrete patio in my small yard. He's 6+ and I've never had to do anything other then his dewclaws.
The other one has long, straight nails and I do them every couple of weeks with the dremel. I've never seen them recede and he's 10 +.
As Betty said "I don't think that the quick will recede very much if they don't touch the floor".
Agree 100%
I think its the wearing on the ground that wears the quick back.
If they don't touch they wont wear.

I've sometimes let my dogs' nails get too long and then have to go about getting them slowly shortened up to a more desirable length. I always use the Dremel, only. I have done it as often as once every three days for a while when trying to get them shorter. Of course, you want to do only a very little bit at a time, maybe a couple quick passes on each nail, if you're going to do them that often. I don't know the science behind it, but maybe the action of the Dremel is akin to the nails rubbing on a rough surface and that encourages the quick to recede. They're only going to go so short, though, regardless of what you do. In a perfect world, I would do toenails once a week, but......

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

I don't think that the quick will recede very much if the nails do not touch the floor.

Thinking back, I agree with this.

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

I've sometimes let my dogs' nails get too long and then have to go about getting them slowly shortened up to a more desirable length. I always use the Dremel, only. I have done it as often as once every three days for a while when trying to get them shorter. Of course, you want to do only a very little bit at a time, maybe a couple quick passes on each nail, if you're going to do them that often. I don't know the science behind it, but maybe the action of the Dremel is akin to the nails rubbing on a rough surface and that encourages the quick to recede. They're only going to go so short, though, regardless of what you do. In a perfect world, I would do toenails once a week, but......

Get the dogs in with bad nails and super long quicks we use the dremel to get at the tip of the quick.

Cutting into the tip of the quick helps it recede quickly. 1-2 times a week should do. Damaging the quick makes it recede.

It seems the dremel's friction/heat itself helps instantly clotup the quick. (almost like when the vets cauterize them)
We can get the tip of the quicks nicked back, and not have a blood bath on our hands.
You know, compared to the traditional clippers and quick stop method.

Make sure you are seeing the LIVE quick.
I met a lady freaking about cutting nails when all she was prodding at was "dead" quick, no blood inside. The dog walked away from me with half an inch of nail off each nail. How much lighter he must have felt!

It's pretty painful to cut into the live tissue on the nail.


If a dog is under anesthesia for some other purpose, eg. a dental, I'm with Brianah---overlong nails can be cut short, until they bleed, and cauterize.

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

It's pretty painful to cut into the live tissue on the nail.


If a dog is under anesthesia for some other purpose, eg. a dental, I'm with Brianah---overlong nails can be cut short, until they bleed, and cauterize.

Agree 100%
Even when I had super hard, badass little working terriers they let me know it when I hit the quick.
I personally wouldn't do that intentionally to a dog.
I used to have a bit of powdered alum to stop the bleeding. A bar of soap is also supposed to work but I've not tried it.

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

It's pretty painful to cut into the live tissue on the nail.


If a dog is under anesthesia for some other purpose, eg. a dental, I'm with Brianah---overlong nails can be cut short, until they bleed, and cauterize.

Maybe you are speaking about getting very far into the quick?

Many groomers nip the quick to help dogs with snail nails or long quicked nails. AKA neglected nails.
Believe it or not it can do harm to the dog overtime having long nails. It truly isnt just cosmetic.

Most of the dogs i have done dont even flinch or have a clue i nipped the TIP of the quick. (when i said "blood bath" earlier, i was exaggerating by FAR of course.)
They tend to make more fuss about cleaning ears or the actual handling of the paw itself. Ear pulling is also another thing that gets the dog into a frenzy.

I often show people in real life, of me nipping the tip my own dogs quick to help others learn.
My own dog is the one i teach others how to handle nail clipping, (flour or quick, or how to use a match to stop an overly clipped, bleeding quick) how to hold a potentiality dangerous dog, ear cleaning, ECT.
I love my dog. She falls asleep while most of this is happening. If it pained these dogs that deeply, and it was not worth the pain, i would not let it happen. Especially to my dog.

Once in a while you get a dog that screams about nails being done, but they also seem to scream during the entire grooming experience. And they need to be done if they are going to effect the way a dog walks. Most of the time its all because the owners lack of training/care or respect for the dogs needs.
Let me remind that if these nails had been kept up, and they hadnt been effecting the way the dogs walk we wouldn't be here trying to recede these quicks.
Same goes for the matted dogs, but thats another story.

See an example video? At 2:33 the tip of the quick was nipped. Dog far from screams in pain. I may have gotten a little closer/further in. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWOkW8wLiSk

Edited by Brianah Maloney (06/23/2014 10:56 PM)
Edit reason: added vid ex.

 Quote: Bob Scott

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

It's pretty painful to cut into the live tissue on the nail.


If a dog is under anesthesia for some other purpose, eg. a dental, I'm with Brianah---overlong nails can be cut short, until they bleed, and cauterize.

Agree 100%
Even when I had super hard, badass little working terriers they let me know it when I hit the quick.
I personally wouldn't do that intentionally to a dog.
I used to have a bit of powdered alum to stop the bleeding. A bar of soap is also supposed to work but I've not tried it.

Oh, how those "badabs" terriers scream while i blow them with air!
Or pull ears!
Or when i do ANYTHING with them for too long and they get slightly uncomfortable.
Oh, i can HEAR them barking right now.

Have not tried the bar of soap. Will have to ask about!