Gentle reminder:  Have you checked your puppies’ nails?  I found that Barley and Xupe were ready for trims this weekend.  I nipped just the little “hooks” off the tips of their nails while they were napping, still using a typical human nail clipper from the drugstore.

Everything I’ve read indicates that it’s very helpful if you regularly handle your puppies’ paws and nails when you’re playing/snuggling with them and clip their nails just a bit each time, getting them accustomed to the process.  We did this while they were with us.   I don’t know why others don’t recommend that you do the clipping while they’re snoozing, but I’ve found it’s the very easiest way.  The puppy may awaken a little and shift about, but it’s generally very easy to get all their nails in one or two nap times.   The nails seem to be ready for a little nipping every 10 days or so.

There are plenty of websites that provide videos and even cross-sections of the nail’s anatomy.  Here’s a screen shot from one website.

Here is Barley (formerly Number 7), taken today during a “potty” break and later, out in the yard with a pigeon (white pigeon in cage) that Biff set up for the dogs to experience.