Help...gonna be a vet tech...but afraid to clip nails???

Okay, I am a little worried. I am just finishing up my first semester of vet tech classes. I have been practicing things like temp, pulse, and resp. on my own pets. (I have four dogs). I am a complete animal lover and I have even given my own dogs rabies vacc. and microchips (someone at our local shelter taught me, I volunteer alot). I did these things with no problem. However, about 6 months ago I clipped my lab/great dane's nails and cut too deep. I had to use the powder to make it stop bleeding and he seems much more sensitive now when I go to clip his nails. Every time I try now, it is like I was traumatized from that experience and I can't go through with cutting any of the animals nails. Is there an easy way to get over clipping dogs nails, do you think I would do okay with other animals, not my own ( I have no children, my dogs are my children).


I just keep thinking that I am gonna be a horrible tech if I cannot even clip my own dogs nails.Help...gonna be a vet tech...but afraid to clip nails???
I did the same thing to my poor old German Shepherd dog... and he was always scared of having his nails clipped after that. What I would do is just clip one or two, let him take a breather and then clip another couple of nails.





He got used to it after a while and realized I wasn't going to hurt him.





Just be careful how deep you clip and you'll do just fine. And with the other skills you have- implanting chips and giving shots- even if you can't bring yourself to clip nails you'll still be a great tech who can perform a lot of valuable services for the animals.Help...gonna be a vet tech...but afraid to clip nails???
First off, try not to send out your nervous energy to the dog when you want to clip them again. Dogs sense fear in an instant.--Ever watch the dog whisperer? Ceaser always says that.








Second try looking at the nail carefully. Try to look at the pink';meat'; part and cut far enough away from that but close enough to cut a small portion of the nail off. Whatever you do, don't cut the pink again. That's the nail bed. Make sure your nail cutters are sharp and not dull. Talk around ,to your Professor/teacher @ vet school. Maybe even talk with your own vet. Maybe have them show you exactly how.





Good luck!
Sometimes when its our own dogs or pets we become a little more nervous, but the only way to recover is to just go back to your confidence and just do it. even professionals make mistakes.


Ive learned how to give my dog sub-q fluids and i was afraid too. but know its second nature to me and i also help other pet owners give sub-q. believe me you can recover from this,you can do this
Well, if the dog has light colored nails you shouldn't have a problem. You can clearly see where the quick starts when they are light/clear. For the darker nails just clip off the very ends so that you don't cut deep, but they are not sharp anymore. I think you will do just fine. They will also eventually teach you how to do it properly. Whatever vet you work with will probably also show you.
Hey . Relax most dogs flip out about getting a nail trim.I a tech and it takes two people to trim most dogs nails. Just remember to snip a little at a time - black nails suck -it takes practice.
I think part of your dog's current sensitivity is that he is picking up on your nervousness. Take a deep breath before you start and remind yourself that though cutting to deep will hurt, it won't kill him. Then check for the pink, and take a little off at a time staying below the pink. If your dog has black nails, you just have to learn where to stop, with time you will figure it out, the reason we go to school is to learn, and you can't get good at something without practicing. The obvious care you show for your pet's pain makes me think you will be a great tech. Good luck. :-)
OK make sure u do not cut the nail to close to the pink part of the nail only cut on the White if u cut to close to the pink it will bleed of the dog tries to bite you put a towel over his head
You need to be careful when cutting their nails that you dont cut into the quick as you have previously. Your dog is a little wary as he was hurt last time and doesnt want to repeat the incident. One way to help him get over it is to provide him some kind of treat with the nail cutting. My dogs go bonkers when I tell them its time for grooming because they anticipate goodies. Hang in there. youll get it.
Just do the tips. I too don't like clipping dog's nails so I now use a dremel file, much better. Also it is easier working on animals that are not yours. I'm sure you'll be great. All the best;~}