How to Trim Your Dog's Nails Without Trauma

Many dogs do not like to have their feet handled. Doing a nail trim on a paw sensitive dog can be exasperating or even dangerous. Holding a dog down for a nail trim can result in injury to the dog, a possible bite incident, or at the very least, increased aggression each time a pedicure needs to be done. There are some simple things you can do to make nail trimming more pleasant for a dog suffering from pedi-paranoia.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sharp professional grade dog nail trimmers
• styptic powder
• Peanut Butter
• leash

1. Begin by knowing how to trim a dog's toenails. Ehow offers a couple of articles about the best procedure for trimming dogs' nails. The basics are to use quality sharp trimmers made for use on dogs, begin trimming a small bit at the tip, and do not cut into the quick. The quick is the pink area that can be seen inside of light nails. If your dog has dark nails, look at the tip after you have trimmed it. If there is a darker spot in the center of the nail, you are approaching the quick and should stop trimming. If you do accidentally quick your dog, apply styptic powder to stop the bleeding.

2. An ideal place to begin trimming without trauma is in front of the refrigerator. Put a leash on your dog. For smaller dogs, you may tether her to the handle of the refrigerator, for a large size dog you may wish to have someone else hold the leash. This will leave your hands free to trim your dog's nails.

3. Take a spoon and dip it into the jar of peanut butter and smear the peanut butter on the refrigerator door at your dog's nose level. He should begin licking it. This is when you can begin trimming your dog's nails. Make your goal to do just a few at first, you can always do a couple of more tomorrow.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your time, stay relaxed
• If your dog does not like peanut butter or has a sensitive tummy, you may want to try pureed chicken baby food instead
• Set a goal of getting one nail done peacefully the first time, more will come later
• Do not lose your temper, if you feel yourself getting tense-just stop
• If your dog snaps or threatens you when you try to trim his nails, stop immediately and consult a trainer who specializes in behavioral issues to show you how to desensitize your dog to paw handling

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on 11/15/2007 The peanut butter trick is a great idea. I sent it to my wife, she trims our border collie and he can be a pain.

[slchapman]

on 11/8/2007 I am printing this article for my grandmother - she does all of her own dog grooming, but as she is getting up there in years, has found that grooming the big dogs (Australian Sheperds and a somthing-or-other Ridgeback) is getting harder. This will be of great benefit to her! Thank you!!!