There are several different ways to trim your dog’s nails. One way is to clip them using specially designed dog nail clippers. The reason you want to use these as opposed to regular nail clippers, is that the dog clippers cut, and do not crush the nail. Regular nail clippers will crush the meaty part of the nail, leaving a ragged edge that can lead to trouble. Dog nail trimmers are designed to prevent this by leaving a clean cut that does not crush the nail meat.
Another way to trim a dogs nails is by filing. I have heard it said that this is the best, easiest, and most safe way to trim a dog’s nails. It’s much easier to see when you are getting close to the quick this way, and shaving off a little at a time will produce more smooth, even results than with any clipper.
When you go to trim your dog’s nails, using either of these methods, keep the diagram in mind. You want to trim the nail to a few millimetres of the quick, but leave some protection for it that it is not easily punctured. You also don’t want to trim in a straight line, but rather at an angle.
Don't forget the longer the nail becomes, the longer the quick,(the blood line), is allowed to grow into the nail. Clipping can become more difficult as the quick will eventually grow down to the tip of the nail, causing bleeding and at times pain when trimmed even the smallest amount. Your dog's nails should never be curled to the point they are walking on them.