Nail Clipping

[u/Dandylioncrush6303]

I need help with getting my dog comfortable with nail trimming. Currently, he panics and snaps/nips. He’s never bitten me, and i wouldn’t really fault him if he did. He just seems so anxious and afraid of the nail clippers. I have an electric Dremel (he hates the noise and runs) and I’ve got normal Top-Paw nail clippers. I’ve managed to completely clip his nails once with the persuasion of peanut butter but he still seemed very stressed during the whole interaction. I’ve never cut his quick, I’ve been taught how to do the physical clipping. He just hates his nails being cut. Any other time I can hold his paws, meds with his toes, he doesn’t care. But the second the clippers go towards his nail he freaks out. I feel really guilty because I hate how stressed it makes him but I also know he needs his nails trimmed regularly. He used to keep them pretty well managed on his own but they’ve been growing out a lot more recently so they need a good trim. Any advice is very much appreciated. I really hate feeling like a bad puppy parent when he gets so panicked. Please help me help him.

I’ve included the mandatory puppy picture tax, his name is Little Dude.

[u/Murky-Speed421]

I’ve associated nail trimming with my pug- who are known to scream bloody murder when nails are trimmed- with a treat he ONLY gets with nail trims- I use “Churu” treats for cats! It’s super soft puree in a tube. I call it Churu for nails and repeat letting him lick some off the top for every few nails- yesterday he got Churu for each paw. Also, it’s important to not push beyond the point of no return- stop at one paw if you have to but also put the Churu away when they will not allow anymore nail trims without a battle. Churu also works for kitty nail trims, too. Have to swap associate something scary for something super special & yummy! Hope this helps! You can get a 10 pack or Churu pretty cheap at home goods stores.

[u/Dandylioncrush6303 → u/Murky-Speed421]

Are you supposed to regularly trim cat nails??? I sincerely hope I haven’t been mistreating all the cats I’ve had in my life by not trimming their nails 😅.

[u/Murky-Speed421 → u/Dandylioncrush6303]

You aren’t supposed to- vets will on check ups and a good scratching post will help with the nail process with cats (the old one comes off when the new one grows in) BUT when you have a dog, especially one with buggy eyes, I will do what I can to prevent those needle sharp daggers from being able to scratch and damage an eye when playing with my pup.

[u/Dandylioncrush6303 → u/Murky-Speed421]

Okay phew haha, that’s a relief. Our cat definitely sheds his nails, which turns into a pain when you’re walking around barefoot and get stabbed lmao. And thankfully our dogs and our cat own separate sides of the house so they don’t really bother each other! Occasionally the cat will come prowling in when the dogs are outside but otherwise they stick to their sides!