Clipping a dog's nails?

Question

Ok, I know HOW to do it correctly, the problem is that my dog is terrified of the nail clippers.

She runs and hides and when I get her out and try to restrain her so I can do it, she'll struggle to the point where it's not safe to attempt it.

I have clipped the nails of many, many cats and dogs and clip my cat's nails with no problem, but I am at a loss at to how to train her not to be afraid.

The nails on her back legs are the perfect length because they get filed down on the cement when we go for walks, but I've had no such luck with her front nails.

Please help. I don't want to spend 20 bucks every month for the vet to do it when I could do it myself.

I did have the vet do it and it took 3 people, a leash and a muzzle(just in case, but it turned out to be unneccesary) to do it.

I don't want it to be such a huge issue her whole life.

Answer 1

Until you can do it yourself, go to a groomer instead of the vet. Groomers are usually much cheaper AND they have way more experience clipping nails than vets do.

Answer 2

You need to get your dog use to having her feet handled. Everyday you should spend a little time petting and messaging your dog as you do this gradually get to the feet and rub each toe and nail. If she has a real hard time it may take a while before she will allow you to fully handle her toes but if she lets you for even a moment give her a treat and say good girl or yes. This lets her know it is okay and this is what you want. It is important you do this as often as possible, everyday if you can. After you can handle her toes start bringing out the clippers and just touching her toes, do not cut right away give her time to become comfortable but every time she allows you to touch her toes with the clippers give her a treat and say good girl or yes. The reason to give treats is because dogs start doing things to get rewarded, for instance: allowing you to touch her toes. Once she is okay with this you should be able to cut but only cut a tiny bit, but you should do it every other to every 2 days and treat her every time she lets you cut. Eventually you will get to the point of being able to cut all her nails and only have to treat when you are done. Remember you will not get to this point over night it will take some patience and make sure you use a really good treat, something you normally do not use and only use this particular treat for her allowing you to touch her toes. You could also go another route and that is buy a Dremel they sell these at Home Depot or Menards for about $25. to $30. and they are also availabe in pet supply stores, although they are a bit more expensive. This does not hurt and there is no chance of cutting into the quick because it grinds the nail down and even if you do grind too much the heat from the grinding prevents it from bleeding and it make the quick pull in. The only thing is you will have to get her accustomed to noise it makes.

Answer 3

Have you ever tried using a dremel instrument instead? Usually, if a canine has had a nasty experience with the nail clippers, then they'll be more accepting of the dremel. The very first thing you ought to do, is to try and get him use to having his toes touched/manipulated without the nails being reduce. The more you play together with his feet, the better he'll be. When looking to get him used to the dremel, then you become a pez dispenser- he will get plenty of treats while you are taking part in with toes- as quickly as you let go of his ft, the treats go away as well. Then, when you can do that, then you definately turn the dremel on- as soon as once more, you emerge as a pez dispenser- he simplest gets the treats even as the dremel is turned on. The next move is to touch the no longer grinding finish against his physique- anywhere- the entire while being a pez dispenser. From there, you handiest do 1 nail- pez dispenser- then work up to 2 nails, then 3, and so forth. If you are sufferer, and relatively work on it and take your time, there is a excellent hazard it's going to work. Just right good fortune!

Answer 4

I did this with the 1 dog I had who was truly afraid of getting his nails trimmed and it worked.

Pick a time when you dog's tired and relaxed. Have her lying on her side and just hold her paws for a couple of minutes. Then with the clippers close to her feet, just pretend to cut. She'll get used to the sound the clippers make and realize she's not being hurt. Do this for a few nights until she's ok with it. Then go to clipping off just the tiniest bit - if you can only do a couple of nails, that's ok. It's going to be a slow progression, but once she learns she's not being hurt, she'll calm down and away you go.

Answer 5

The groomer usually has them restrained - so that would help if you could leash her to a hook or door handle, etc. And sometimes even putting a muzzle on them makes them act more submissive.

But to teach her - you need to desensitize her to the clippers. Keep them out. Don't clip. Start small and just touch the clippers to her paw and feed her a treat. Do this a while til she accepts. Then start touching clipper to nail, no clipping - reward for this. Then make the clipping sound - no nail. reward. Gradually clip just one nail and reward and so one and so forth. It will take a few weeks - don't do it all in one day!

Answer 6

have you ever tried utilising a dremel device rather? in certain situations, if a canines has had a foul journey with the nail clippers, then they are going to be extra accepting of the dremel. the first element you want to do, is to attempt to get him use to having his ft touched/manipulated without the nails being reduce. The extra you play which include his ft, the further valuable he will be. at the same time as attempting to get him used to the dremel, then you actually grow to be a pez dispenser- he receives various treats once you're twiddling with ft- once you enable flow of his ft, the treats flow away to boot. Then, once you are able to try this, then you actually change the dremel on- once back, you grow to be a pez dispenser- he purely receives the treats at the same time as the dremel is became on. the subsequent step is to the contact the no longer grinding end adverse to his body- everywhere- each of the at the same time as being a pez dispenser. From there, you purely do a million nail- pez dispenser- then paintings as a lot as 2 nails, then 3, and so on. once you're affected human being, and really paintings on it and take the time, there is an outstanding threat it is going to paintings. good success!

Answer 7

Just wanted to note that I've worked with a groomer using similar policies to Doc, and in my experience, a kind groomer is often a much better choice than going through the nail clipping ordeal yourself. Sounds like you've clipped a lot of nails in your time, and sometimes you get a dog that just won't work with you. One of mine is like that, and I always bring him to my former employer's where she clips him without trouble for 5 dollars as long as I am out of the room.

Answer 8

in the following weeks from having her nails clipped by a proffesional, allow her to get to know the clippers. let her smell them on a daily basis, after a few days of this, set the clippers aside, but not out of view, and softly pet her feet. do this on a daily basis for at least 5 minutes and by the time you have to clip her nails again she will associate the clippers with a little puppy massage instead of puppy paw tourture. and you to play an emotional role in clipping your dogs nails. even though you may have clipped your share of nails, you have to remember that this is your baby and you don't want to see her scared or hurt, but you have to put on a brave face and don't let her emotions cloud the task at hand. good luck to you

Answer 9

We have the same problem with my mutt... she HATES her pedicure. It used to take me and my 6'2, 250lb husband to hold her down.... she squeals and wiggles and tries to nibble your hands. We figured it might be because she didn't like being restrained. Now, I sneak up on her when she is sleeping, grab a foot and start clipping. That has been partially successful. Sometimes she will let me clip a few if she is sitting in Daddy's lap and he is telling how what a nice girl she is. We also distract her with food. Kinda funny to see a 70lb German Shepherd mix sitting in a grown man's lap and hearing "Aren't you a bood-a-ful girl! Who is a bood-a-ful girl? Emma is a bood-a-ful girl!".

Answer 10

Bring her to me. My wife and I have a dog grooming business. We'll only charge you $5!!! Sometimes, it's just better if it's not "Mom" doing the cutting. Most (not all) behave very well for us, but they fight like all get out when it's the owner. Call your local pet groomer and ask how much they'd charge.