How To Trim Your Dogs Nails When They Are Scared of Nail Clippers

As dog owners, we all struggle with dealing with our dog’s fear of nail trimming.

Some dogs may show some signs of nervousness, which is comparatively easy to deal with. On the other hand, others may have full-on terror attacks, it all depends on the breed of your dog and the environment they grew up in. For some owners, putting your dog under anesthesia works, but it’s not a permanent solution, or even practical. And for those who do not want to resort to these methods, just let them grow out.

 

But oh boy… that is not a smart choice at all as it can cause health problems in your little pooch. Overgrown nails can cause arthritis and entirely mess up their posture as well which will cause even more bone problems. Dogs with over-grown nails may experience paw pain as a result of their nails pressing back into the nail bed when they walk on hard surfaces. This may cause excruciating pain, put strain on their toe joints, or cause their toes to twist strangely. Ouch!

 

Just when you think it’s just bad for dogs, it’s also a danger for us humans too. Their long nails can unintentionally wreck your fresh curtains and fancy sofas. Not just furniture, they can also hurt you and your friends when your hyper pup gets a little too excited and jumps on you to greet you or play with you.  imagine your dog launching at you full force with their overgrown nails, ouch! That’s a guaranteed trip to the ER.

 

Why Are Dogs Scared of Having Their Nails Clipped?

 

You must be wondering; why is your dog so scared of getting their nails trimmed? I mean who doesn’t enjoy a good manicure? Jokes aside, there are many reasons why your dog might turn around and pounce the other way. Lots of dogs get super scared of nail clippers because they've had painful or scary experiences before. It’s very common for people to accidentally cut their dog’s nails deeper and pause a bleed resulting in painful paws. Just like us, dogs remember painful experiences. If you accidentally cut their nails too short once, they might be scared of nail trimming forever. It makes sense—if something hurts us, we'd be scared to try it again, right?

When a dog is scared of nail trimming, some owners try to cut their nails by trying to restrain them by holding them down. On top of that, some owners seem visibly nervous when they’re handling their dogs, which can make their buddy even more anxious. It's absolutely essential for owners to stay calm and patient during nail trims to help their dogs feel safe.

Nail cutting might worsen your dog's preexisting trauma, making it appear more frightening than it is and intensifying their worries. However, be at ease! You can teach your dog to enjoy a stress-free nail trim at home with a little patience and work. 

But how do I trim my dog's nails?

While you should try to make your dogs accustomed to nail filing and grooming at a young age, you can definitely teach your older dogs the art of nail trimming. But it might take a bit more time and patience. Desensitizing older dogs to nail trimming takes patience. The process cannot be rushed. If your dog is scared of nail trims, there are a few things you can try:

• Exercise them regularly on rough surfaces like concrete or pavement—this can naturally wear down their nails to a healthy length.

• Why not ditch the nail clippers altogether and opt for a nail grinder instead? The use of a grinder has many advantages. When applied properly, it can smooth out your dog's nails and reduce the likelihood that they will snag on objects.

• Nail trim mats are similar to door mats, but instead of a smooth surface, they have a rough one that is meant to clip your dog's nails as they walk on it. It's an easy method to keep your dog's nails neat and tidy without requiring more work from you!

 

An inventive solution is to make a filing "board" using a sheet of wood covered in sandpaper. This wonderful invention is called a “scratchpad”. You can train your dog to use this scratchpad by, guess what, scratching their paws on this board. This way it will take away any extra time and effort that may be wasted on trying to trim their nails using dog's natural instinct to dig they will trim their own nails all while having fun and exercising. And the best part? You can totally make one at home. Want to know how?? Check out our blog where we tell you exactly how to make one.

But if you’re too lazy to make one yourself, or have concerns about your dog’s safety, check out our premium scratchpad from Bruno and Coco. The scratch pad from Bruno and Coco comes with a unique and adaptable design that can cater to different dog sizes (supporting up to 90 lbs). It comes with 2 extra sandpaper so you can replace it whenever your dog has worn the first one out with excessive scratching.

 

Getting your dog comfortable with a scratchpad

 

Prepare yourself for a journey as you develop a plan of action. Remember, this is a gradual process that requires patience and sensitivity to your dog's comfort level and stress.

 

1. Place the scratch pad on the ground between you & your dog while holding the treat. Show your dog the treat and drape the cloth over the top part of the pad.

 

2. Encourage your dog to reach across the pad towards you and paw the cloth away to get the treat. Each time your dog successfully does this, mark the behavior and give them a treat. Repeat this process consistently to reinforce the desired behavior.

 

3. Gradually shorten the cloth so it barely covers the treat, slowly removing the cloth from the picture. Throughout this process, continue to mark and treat each time your dog uses their paw. This gradual progression helps your dog become comfortable with using their paws without the cloth barrier.

 

4. When your dog reliably paws at the board without the cloth, it's time to start gradually raising your end of it until it's at a 45-degree angle. The steeper the angle, the better, as this encourages your dog to reach higher and use their paws more intentionally.

 

Most dogs can be trained to tolerate and even enjoy having their nails trimmed with time and effort, but if your dog exhibits severe anxiety or fear, as evidenced by shaking, excessive drooling, panting, growling, or snapping, it's best to get professional help. Anxiety medications or light sedatives could be helpful in certain situations.

Additionally, don't scold your pet if they shows signs of fear or draws their paw back. While punishment can lessen their resistance to having her nails clipped, it might also make the dog more fearful, which won't help in the long run. The idea is to observe the dog's tolerance for pain and avoid going over it while desensitizing her to nail cutting.