when i was cutting them myself, i cut after each weekly bath when the nails were soft. i just shaved a little off each time to give me confidence and them used to it. when i have the mobile groomer come over to do it, i have her come every other week - but that is mostly to get them used to having people come over and also to have some of the longer quicks recede. does that make sense? anyway, i think you can have the nails trimmed as little as once a month? walking on concrete helps to keep them shorter.