How to Clip Puppy Toenails

Most dogs naturally dislike having their feet handled, but if you get them used to it as puppies, it makes the chore of dog toenail clipping much easier, whether you do it yourself or have a groomer do it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Treats
• Dog clippers or toenail clippers
• Lip balm, styptic powder or flour

1. Get your puppy used to being handled. Run a grooming brush gently over her coat. Check her teeth. Hold her gently on her back and rub her tummy. Hold and handle her feet. Quietly praise her for submitting to this. You are laying a good foundation so she will accept being handled by you, your vet and your groomer.
2. Praise her with treats--if you are using those for training--for being relaxed when having her feet handled. Don't force the issue or manhandle her if she gets twitchy about her feet. That will just make her resist more in the long run. Praise her for every success no matter how short-lived.
3. Start with doing just one little toenail if you want. Make it no big deal, just a quick snip and praise her. Regular dog nail clippers are best, but if she is a very small breed you can use people toenail clippers.
4. Are you nervous about clipping the quick? Most people are! Just clip the little pointy end that hooks over. If you do that fairly frequently the quick will stay back and her nails will remain short enough. Plenty of walks--especially on pavement--will help keep her nails short, too.
5. What if you accidentally nick the quick? It will hurt and startle your puppy, no doubt. But don't make a big deal of it. Praise her for being brave (even if she is screeching like a drama queen), slip her a treat and quickly and carefully do another nail. Or continue to handle her feet in some way. You don't want to teach her that a little "ouchie" and a lot of drama will make you stop doing what you are doing. Lip balm, styptic powder or flour all work well to quickly stop bleeding.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy the best dog nail clippers you can. Cheap ones don't stay sharp and are often misaligned.
• You want to cleanly clip the nail, not mash it.
• If you decide to use a Dremel tool to grind your pup's nails instead, just follow the above steps, but using the Dremel instead of clipping.
• Even if you plan on having the groomer do this, it is good for her to get used to submitting to handling by you, too. And your groomer will thank you for it later.