How can I prevent my dog from trying to bite me when I attempt to cut her nails?

Question

I am not hurting her in any way. Whenever I even get the clippers close to her, she snaps at me. I know she has never been injured by clippers before because I've always personally done it or been there when it was done.

She really needs her nails clipped, so please help!

Answer 1

If your dog won't let you even get close to her with the clippers, you'll likely have to muzzle her. That's what a groomer or vet tech would have to do with a dog that bites. If you don't have a muzzle, you can improvise by using a section of panty hose - it's soft enough it won't hurt the dog, but will protect you.

You also need to work on teaching this dog who's in charge, but all of that takes time and if she needs her nails cut now, muzzling her is a temporary fix while you work on training her.

Answer 2

I have 2 dogs.. Neither will let me do their nails.. I would take them to a groomer, but do not have a big enough car to transport a large dog in.. I only borrow my son's SUV when I absolutely have to as he has 2 children and the dog hair would get all over the car. The one bites her own nails and even tho ragged, she does a pretty good job.. The other is a bit more active and I have concrete all around my inground pool.. So when she runs, she files them down on that.. My vet once tried to muzzle another dog I use to have, to trim her nails.. She turned into the dog from hell! I had never seen her like that and she tried to bite even through the muzzle. I pleaded with the vet to leave her alone.. My now ex had trimmed them once at home and cut the quick causing her to scream and bleed like crazy..That's why she would never let anybody touch them again.. Didn't blame her.. I have had these 2 for 10 years now and never had the nails done.. I really don't feel it's a must and certainly not worth the upset to the animal and the chance of being bitten..

Answer 3

My dog used to freak out about having his nails cut, too. Does your dog have black nails where it's impossible to see where the nerve begins? It could be at some point, your dog's nails were clipped into the nerve and he remembers that extreme pain. Also, some dogs are just really not into having their feet touched at ALL, like my dog was!

So usually I would take him to Animart and let them do it. They do it with two people, one to hold him in the 'vet hold' so he can't bite, and one to do the clipping. The one clipping was very expert at it because she does it so often, she did it quickly, and the only pain to either of us was the $5 it cost. So that's obviously the easiest way!

When I had to do it at home, and if I was alone, I would get a small container of pieces of chicken or peanut butter on crackers or something else my dog REALLY loved. Each nail that I clipped, I would give him another piece of food. This took his mind off the clipping in anticipation of that next delicious bite.

The last time we clipped his nails, we did it outside this summer, my 16 year old son did the 'vet hold' on him, and I clipped, and he was fine...he didn't even protest really. I was so proud of him. I don't know if he finally just got used to the idea (after 8 years) or what...lol good luck with your dog.

PS~
It really does need to be done. Their feet can be injured more easily because overlong nails make their toes splay out in an unnatural position. Also, the longer they get, the more chance that they can catch on something and be ripped out or split...ouch!

Answer 4

Buy a mussel or use her lease to put over to mouth to keep her from opening it to far. I don't know of any dog who likes their nails clipped. Just make sure you are staying under the white line thing if you are able to see it! Your using dog clippers right? If not you might want to buy some they are like 3-5 dollars. This might help also. Good Luck

Answer 5

I use a muzzle on uncooperative foster dogs when I first get them or use persistance with my newly adopted Lab who FREAKED out the first time I tried to do his nails. At the vet it took 3 of us but since I obed train all my dogs and fosters they learn I am boss and after awhile they calm down. Now he and my 6 other dogs lie on a table while I clip or Dremel their nails. At first I would do 2 nails b4 we went into the dog park, then 1 foot then 2 feet and after about 2 months he learned I was more stubborn then he was. I still nick the quick occasionally but it never makes my dogs not allow me to trim their nails. Dremelling them is less likely to nick the quick so I usually do most dogs that way including my g/f's 5 dogs. One of my old MinPins would lie peacefully instead of struggle if fed peanut butter so my hubby fed her wee bits of peanut butter while I did her nails.

Answer 6

your dog has learned that when she snaps, you back off. This can spell big problems for later in her life. Most dogs hate their nails cut. My dogs lie still for me, although they are nervous. My one dog snapped at me and I said "No" firmly and he backed off. I kept on trimming his nails. If you would like to do this at home, you need someone to hold your dog while you trim the nails. Your vet can give you a lesson. make an appointment for a nail trim and ask the vet to take some time to teach you how to properly restrain your dog so you aren't bitten and your dog isn't hurt.

Answer 7

If you have someone else who can help you, have them distract the dog with treats.
Get the dog to lay down it's side and keep the treats near the nose, let the dog smell, give her a treat occasionally.

My wife and I tag team our dog this way and the trimming was done fast.

Answer 8

Try talking to the dog while clipping it helps

Answer 9

Muzzle her, clip her nails, don't hurt her and slowly teach her that she isn't going to be hurt.. Give her praise and treats when you are done.. Eventually you'll be able to do it without muzzling her..

Answer 10

My Pomeranian, Jack Frost, has been trained so that when I rub his paws he calms down so that I can quickly and carefully clip his nails.