My dog freaks out when we try to trim her nails. What can we do?

Question

My 6-7 mo. old puppy absolutely FREAKS OUT when we try to cut her nails. She's never had a bad experience with nail clipping (we have known her since she was 2 weeks old, and were the first to ever cut her nails). She screams and whines as though we are beating her! We have tried holding her down, giving her treats during the nail clipping, nothing works. If she even SEES the nail clippers, she begins to whimper.

Any suggestions? Her nails are starting to get too long, and I have no idea what to do. Thanks in advance for any advice!

I just wanted to add that she's not afraid of me holding her paws. She is VERY well trained, and has no problem with me touching her paws at all.. And to the poster who said to never cut her nails... I am a little hesitant about your answer (although I appreciate you taking the time to give it!). Humans originally were not intended to live indoors - but we do, and we need our nails trimmed. Dogs are quite similar, as they have been domesticated and do not participate in the activities that would naturally wear their nails down in the wild. Anyway, I appreciate everyones help!

Answer 1

It's normal for a dog to freak about getting nails cut. especially at that age. What you want to do first is stop giving her treats to calm her. Giving treats and "comforting" only reinforces this behavior. Remember dogs are not human, and they have different motives than us. Every time you give her a treat or try to calm her when she's scared only tells her that this is what she's supposed to do.

After that take a moment every evening while you are watching tv or sitting at the computer and sit with her. Pick up each paw, and kind of massage, and hold them. After a while you can give a light tug on the toe nails. Dont bring out the clippers though, because obiviously she associates them with a clip now. Handling her paws often will get her used to this sensation. After she's comfortable with this, bring out the clippers but dont use them, sit them next to you and simply mess with her feet... eventually you'll be albe to clip her nails with no trouble. you may have to clip them one paw at a time over a day or two but it will get done stress free. Once you are done messing with her paws and she's calm(even if there is no clipping) then give her the treat. She will start to accociate you messing with her paws with the good, rather than accociating them with being scared.

EDIT: It's good that you cut her nails. Dog's nails can grow too long and get caught on things and rip off which is very painful.
Also don't worry that you've hurt her when she wines. Especially if you really havn't. She's figured out that the whining gets her attention. Sounding hurt when not is simply a defence mechanism all dogs are born with. It brings attention to the matter from the momma dogs when somthing could be the matter.
I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

WHAT I DID IS: HAVE ONE PERSON (SITTING DOWN) HOLD THE DOG IN A SITTING POSITION ON THE EDGE OF THEIR KNEES, WHERE THE DOG TOE NAIL IS EXPOSE.

THEN COVER HER WITH A TOWEL WHILE THE PERSON THAT IS HOLDING HER, PETS HER (RIGOROUSLY) AND TALK TO HER.

THEN U SHOULD QUICKLY WITHOUT TOUCHING HER FEET, CUT NAIL.

IF U ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO GRAB HER FEET, PUSH HER PAW BACK SO THAT IT BECOME AN L SHAPE (WONT HURT HER). THAT SHOULD GIVE YOU ABOUT 5 SECOND TO CUT HER FIRST NAIL. THEN JUST REPEATED FOR THE REST.

Answer 3

My Old English Sheepdog refused to allow me to trim his nails using dog nail clippers, he would let me use an electric Dremel file on them though (go figure). Other alternatives are you can take her to Petco or Petsmart and have them do her nails for 8 dollars. You can walk her more often so that they ware down naturally.

Answer 4

Wait until she is asleep then try it gently. My family's cat is a difficult one to do this with too and its the only time we can trim her nails. She usually wakes up after we do 2-3 though.

Answer 5

You could go to a groomer's and have nails clipped for a nominal fee and at the same time ask them to show you how to do it.
It helps to start by only tipping them a little so there is no chance of cutting one too short. Once one is cut too short they can get real temperamental about having them cut. The more you get the hang of it the easier it will be for you both. Sometimes if you try and restrain them to much it makes them more panicked.

Answer 6

Don't trim her nails at first. Take the clippers out once a day, and while you are playing with her, keep them within sight. Once she is okay with that, get her to roll on her belly and rub the clippers all over her body for a few days, until she isn't scared of it. Then, try clipping just one nail. Praise her a lot, and once the nail has been trimmed, play with her and keep the clippers in sight. Soon you will be able to clip all her nails.

Also, when you clip her nails, have someone hold her leash, and keep her standing. Lift one paw up, and clip them like that instead of flipping her over. That is more natural for dogs, so they won't feel as scared of things standing as when they are on their back.

Answer 7

my dog hates clipping her nails to so we leave it to the perfessionals we take them to a pet salon every so many months that it looks like she needs a nail cut

Answer 8

Well, you've accidentally 'trained' her to freak out by not handling her feet....& many dogs are touch sensitive & have to be 'behavior shaped' when very young----but I bet a local groomer can cut her nails very cheaply. Of course, the groomer will put the dog on a table---so she's not on the floor, which is her territory, and she'll restrain the dog with a noose & might even have help, and start with the back nails first, and 'flip' the dogs front paws behind her so her feet aren't right up by her mouth. And....more important than anything, the dog groomer will be calm & act with confidence & not feed into the anxiety dynamic. You can learn to do this, too, by learning to train your dog other things & being in charge, but it's going to take weeks, possibly months of YOUR consistent behavior.

Answer 9

our dog is 3 years old and hates it. Its just in some dogs nature. When we are finished I give her a treat or a special bone and reassure her what a good dog she was. She still doesn't care for it, but she lets me do it.

Good Luck

Answer 10

She obviously thoroughly dislikes being held down (it's probably THAT more than the actual clipping).

Take her once every month or two to a dog groomer--they have a special knack for this.

Good luck with your furry baby!
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Answer 11

let the dog sniff the nail clippers, then begin. if still freaks out, try putting a towel over its eyes, then begin clipping. try talking to the doggy and explain what you're doing to he/she.