Most Labs are active enough that they wear down their toenails naturally. You'll know the nails need a trim if you hear them clicking on the floor. Nails that are too long can get caught in carpet and break, which is painful. Also, nails that grow too long curve back into the paw pad, impairing the dog's ability to walk. Don't let your Lab's nails get into this condition.

Get your Lab puppy used to having his nails trimmed by taking just a little bit off the ends every week. Praise him and give him a treat if he holds still. When he's older, he'll be used to having you handle his feet and will be less reluctant to have his nails trimmed, something that most dogs abhor.

When trimming a dog's nails, avoid clipping past the curve of the nail. You don't want to hit the quick, the blood vessel inside the nail. If your Lab has light-colored nails, you can see the quick, which looks like a dark line running through the nail. If you can't see the quick because the nails are too dark, a good rule of paw is to trim the nails parallel to the toe pads. When you're through, smooth rough edges with a metal nail file and give your Lab a treat.