Clipping your dog’s nails is an important part of grooming your pooch. Neatly trimmed nails not only look good but are also an indicator of good health and hygiene. But sometimes dogs can be very resistant to having their nails trimmed. So, how do you cut an uncooperative dog’s nails at home?
First, you should do your homework and learn how to cut your dog’s nails. If you are confident, your dog is less likely to be squeamish about the whole process. Puppies eventually reach adult size and stop growing, but their nails do not. You will need to cut your dog’s nails every 3-4 weeks lifelong, so it’s something worth learning.
Trimming a dog’s nails is simple if you know how. It’s important to start doing this when your dog is a puppy so that they get used to nail trimming as a regular activity. Some dogs will calmly sit in your lap and get their nails trimmed. In fact, dogs will put their paw on you because they associate this action with love and trust. But other dogs may be far more uncooperative and may even need to be restrained in order to clip their nails.
A good trick is to distract your dog. You can use interactive toys or a lick mat. A treat like peanut butter can keep your dog busy while you clip her nails.
A tried and tested method for clipping a dog’s nails is described here:
Some dogs just hate having their nails cut and will even bite you to stop you from doing it.
The gradual desensitization process described above works well for most dogs. Again, this involves keeping the nail clippers in sight, then working your way up to touching your dog with them, and then ultimately using them to clip her nails, all the time praising and treating her. This shows your dog that the clippers do not pose a threat.
If the above-mentioned tips and tricks do not work and your dog is still uncooperative in getting her nails clipped, you may need to sedate her.
There are many over-the-counter mild sedatives for dogs that can help keep your pooch calm and prevent nervousness during nail trimming. Examples include medicines like Benadryl, supplements like melatonin, or natural sedatives like chamomile, valerian, or rosemary. Always seek advice from the vet before using sedatives to clip your dog’s nails.
If nothing else works, you can try rough mats for your dog to scratch on. These mats help to keep your dog’s nails filed without needing to clip them. You can also give your dog sandpaper, but be careful and make sure he is supervised while he plays with it.
Some dog parents find that cutting their dog’s nails when he’s sleeping works well. But remember, a dog’s paws are still sensitive while asleep, and if you wake your dog up suddenly, he may bite you out of panic.
Another thing worth trying is a Dremel tool. This is a rotary tool that can trim down the nail quickly, easily, and safely. Many Dremel tools for dogs’ nails are cordless and quiet so your pooch is less likely to be skittish around them. Such a tool might just do the trick and help you cut an uncooperative dog’s nails.
Groomers will sometimes cover a dog’s face with a towel if nail trimming freaks him out. They also have muzzles on hand for the most aggressive dogs. These practices do not harm your dog. However, it’s important to try and keep your dog as calm as possible during the nail clipping process for his own safety.
27 December, 2022