Your beautiful puppy is used to being cuddled, played with and handled and in between having her nails trimmed every week.
There are many benefits of continuing with this habit but the main two are to minimise the risk of cutting into her quick and turning nail cutting into a pleasant experience for both of you. As a result:
1). Her nails will always be in check. Quick extends with longer nails and the risk of cutting it during nail trimming of long nails increases;
2) Weekly trimming of only a millimetre or so, or just a tip is not likely to cut the quick;
3) Frequent practice will make you a pro and your confidence performing manucure (from latin "Manu Cure"= "paw care") will over time translate into faster and more efficient process;
4) You and your puppy will have an opportunity to sense, depend, care, trust and respect each other.
Preparing the "work station" is likely to assist with the process:
Comfortable sitting because trimming her nails may take a while;
Very well lit area so you have a clear view on her nails;
Small, battery operated sheers to clip hair around each paw (this improves visibility and access to nails but also prevents her from sliding on her own hair);
Human baby nail clippers (this is a suggested starting tool because her nails are still soft and it is a tool you have likely used before);
White towel or cloth to provide a background contrast for black nails;
Coffee table / occasional table or similar to give you some space to 'park' your tools.
Before you start it is essential to get her to burn off some of her energy and then calm her down. This will minimise her wiggling and likely make her more relaxed and cooperative.
Your state of mind is important as she will read and respond to your body language.
I do not recommend ever holding her down with force. If need be have several sessions to trim her hair and nails, bit by bit.
I am available to do it with you or show you how to on Zoom or FaceTime, just email or text me.
Cutting into quick can be a serious injury requiring sterilisation of the wound and stopping the bleeding. Rush to the vet if you cannot stop or significantly reduce profuse bleeding in 5-10 minutes. Products you may find useful but hopefully you will never need to use:
Iodine is very good for disinfecting but it will not stop bleeds;
Astringent solution of potassium permanganate 5% (I believe this is also called Condi's crystals) will sterilise and help stop bleeding but please ensure you have prepared the solution in the right concentration as higher percentages will cause burns. In crystal form this is a very strong oxidising agent and is very flammable. To prepare check https://eng.sciencedevices.com/kak-sdelat-5-rastvor-margancovki-read-656636;
Styptic powders or sticks are also effective in stopping bleeding.
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