Foot trimming with clippers

[jenn D]

Can anyone describe how you use the clippers to get the hair between the pads of the paws? Any videos. I'm nervous about doing this.

[Brittney & Cally]

My groom always used scissors to cut in between the paw pads. I think it may be more difficult to use clippers since they are so big. Have you tried scissoring?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I use scissors but I have to admit I avoid it and I'm not very aggressive when I finally do it.  It makes me really  nervous too!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I don't agree with removing the hair from between the pads as I think it is there for a reason  but I do remove the hair that protudes above the pads. For this I use a blunt end scissors. I know it can be done with the clippers but I prefer the scissors for this bit. I have been grooming my own now for nearly three years and this works for me.

[Brittney & Cally]

This is what my groomer does. Never goes in between the paw pads. I must of misunderstood because that is what I thought you were asking about.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

This is pretty much what I do too. But Tara has had a mat form down inside the bottom of her paw a time or two and they are difficult to remove-especially on an uncooperative subject!

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

I totally understand that mindset and adhere to it as much as possible in all areas of life.  But I have to keep the hair between the pads of my long haired dogs as short as possible in winter.  If I don't, very hard balls of ice build up and we have to keep stopping to gently melt them off with the warmth of my hands.  If I don't trim that hair out we spend a lot of time getting the iceballs out from deep between the pads.  It would be like trying to walk with a huge rock in your shoe.  It's necessary where there's lots of snow, but only in winter and only when the temperature is close to freezing.  When it's really a dry cold, the snow doesn't stick.  A pair of doggy boots that will not come off while running in deep snow has not been invented - yet.

I use small scissors with round tips and do it as I'm trimming Yarrow's nails. 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I had always cut the protruding hair with scissors and left the hair between the toes alone until recently. I use cordless trimmers, which have a smaller head than the regular clippers and just trim down close to each toe, being very careful in the process. I had seen a poodle grooming video on youtube on how to do it. I'll look and see if I can find it again.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Well, I'm not finding the video now. The trick is to spread the toes and avoid nicking the webbing between the toes. I've only been doing this the past few months and haven't nicked the webbing yet (knock wood!). Also, you want to make sure the blade is cool. It's a pain to do and when I'm in a hurry I skip that part and just trim the protruding hair (either with the trimmers or scissors). Its not absolutely necessary, but I find it helps to keep the paws cleaner.

[jenn D]

I can trim the hair that protrudes with scissors. I guess I'll start there.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I've used the clippers on yogi. I always test the clippers on my hand to know what it feels like. I'm not real aggressive, but I do get a lot of fur out. Just going slow