With a little practice, nail trimming can become a stress-free part of your beauty routine. We’ll help you understand the two main methods of trimming your nails along with some troubleshooting tips. Most dogs don’t like having their nails trimmed, but with patience, every dog can learn to tolerate it. If you can hear your dog’s nails clicking when he walks across the floor, it’s time to trim his nails.
How to Trim Dog Nails with Scissors
- Gently fold loose hair back so your nails are clearly visible.
- Determine where to cut. For white nails, avoid applying the pink “quick” to the middle of the nail and just cut it to pure white. For black nails, focus on the tapered part of the nail rather than the broad base.
- Clamp with a smooth, steady motion.
- Praise and reward your dog.
- If using scissor-style shears, trim sharp edges.
- Move on to the next nail.
How to Trim Dog Nails with a Grinder
- Take some time to get your dog used to the sound of the grinder. Give her treats while she’s running, first a few feet away and then closer to her paws.
- Touch the grinder to your dog’s nails and praise and reward immediately. Repeat a few times so she associates the feeling of vibration with something good.
- When you are ready to sand your nails adequately, hold the sander at a 45-degree angle to your nails. Apply gentle pressure and file the nail back. Repeat this on the other side of the nail to even it out.
- Smooth any rough or sharp spots and round the tips of your nails.
- Move on to the next nail (if your dog is new to this, take a break).
How to Trim Nasty Dog Nails
Few dogs like to have their nails trimmed. But you can gradually get your dog used to having his nails trimmed:
- Identify valuable rewards for your dog. Some dogs prefer quackery to peanut butter, while others prefer cheese or hot dog nuggets. Some people think playing tug or fetch is the best thing ever. Figure out what your dog likes and take advantage of it by giving him a nice treat when it comes to nail trimming.
- walk slowly. It’s much better to work on one nail at a time and keep your dog happy than to hammer in all the nails.
- Just take the hint. This limits any risk of harming your dog and will help you both become more confident. By trimming just the tips of your nails once a week, your dog’s nails will remain manageable over time.
- If your dog suddenly flinches while grinding his nails, you may have taken action. Don’t be so aggressive with your next nail.
- Try different positions to see where your dog is most comfortable holding still and how you can see what you’re doing. Some options are standing on a safe table, lying on the couch or upside down on your lap.
- Have a helper feed you snacks or hold a spoon of peanut butter while you trim your nails.
- Practice holding your dog’s feet for treats every day and teach techniques such as shakes and high fives.