trimming nails

[EJ & Dante]

We have touched Dante's paws daily since we got him.  I've tried cutting his nails, but had trouble with all the hair on his paws and one time accidentally cut into the quick.  He's just 4 months old, and we took him for a puppy cut yesterday.  They said he could care less about the clippers, scissors, blow dryer, etc, but DID NOT like his nails cut.  When I took him for his last shots this week, he growled when the vet tried to check his toes.

He is the happiest, friendliest dog otherwise.  I already handle his feet/toes.  

How do I handle to desensitize him to this?

Thanks,

Edie and Dante

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't have any suggestions for you on desensitizing him to having his nails cut, but I can tell you that it's a very, very common problem. I'd say half the dogs I see at Jack's grooming facility have to be muzzled to have their nails cut, and about half the dogs I've fostered do, too. So you're not alone, lol. 

[EJ & Dante]

Ok, that's good to know.  I thought I had done something wrong and was somehow making him agressive.....

[Kristin]

Maisy also used to hate having her nails trimmed when she was a younger puppy.  I too cut into the quick twice which did not help. I began to use my husband's Dremel instead of the manual clipper, which made the process much easier for Maisy to tolerate.  (There is a Dremel marketed specifically for trimming dog's nails, but I use the standard Dremel). We gradually desensitized her to the Dremel, by first having her look at it, then turning it on while she was in the room, gradually bringing it closer to her and finally using it to shave a minuscule amount of nail.  I had one of my kids feed her small amounts of hot dog or Braunschweiger while we first were introducing the Dremel.  I think the high value treats helped a ton!  She now tolerates weekly nail trims - does not love them but also does not appear fearful during the process anymore.

A word of caution about the Dremel - if the fur around your puppy's paws is long, it can get caught in the Dremel.  Make sure you isolate the nail while trimming if you use it.  Hope that helps!

[Lindsey Holt]

We to use a Dremel on our Jake and he does fine now.

It is much easier to control and we haven't got anywhere near his quick.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Yogi hated his nails trimmed. Especially the front. Now my husband gets a sandwich slice of cheese and holds tiny bits between his fingers for Yogi to eat/ lick as I trim. It's like he can't think of both things at once. No problems now