Conditioning Your Dog to Love Nail Trimming

[@dizzymagic]

I can't thank you enough for this video! I was at my wits' end with my 5 month old puppy. He wasn't afraid of the clippers but he would not sit still, wiggling, jerking his feet away, mouthing my hand, trying to take the clippers away to gnaw on them and nothing I tried worked! He knew basic commands, including sit-stay and down-stay, was entirely happy for me to hold and pet his paws, but I couldn't make those translate into "be still while I get a tool and press on your toes." But I followed your instructions to the letter and now I have a puppy who runs to me when I get out the clippers! Because of short puppy attention span, I did this in very short sessions several times a day, first just the quick touches followed by treat that you did in the beginning of the video. Then onto holding his paws and getting the clippers positioned just right (because that's when he always wiggled or jerked his feet), and letting go and giving the treat. Within a day he was politely allowing me to do this. I worked up to taking the tiniest tip off a couple of claws a day, interspersing with just touching the clippers to each claw, and a month later I have a completely no-stress way to keep his claws nice and trim. He looks forward to his manicure and I look forward to not fretting about the length of his claws! Oh, and it also works for my older dog, who was tolerant of clipping but really didn't like it. Now I can quietly do both dogs at the same time, switching off between them, and it's just so easy! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[@kscottrell]

Resist the urge to rush it! Your doggie will thank you for it. :)

[@candyskillicorn7704]

Good quality dog parent.x

[@giuliaconsorti453]

My girl is scared of literally everything, I tried thousands of different technics during the last 8 months but nothing was working. The other day I watched your video for the first time and tried straight away. I’m just so happy to say that after 2 days of training today I managed to cut her nails! Thank you thank you thank you! Do you have any training video for cleaning the hear?

[@missbvideos8944]

Thank you for the video. My husband nipped our dog's quick when he jerked his paw, so I am going very slowly with a new, different pair of clippers to acclimate him. Before he screamed like a banshee at even having his paws touched. Now I can massage and feel his nails, and tap his nails with the clippers. Hopefully I'll be clipping them soon, it's taken about a week and they're getting pretty long...! (He was an anxious dog before so everything takes longer!)

[@janama303]

Miss B Videos SAME.

[@karii1194]

Even though this is old this makes me really happy because I recently adopted a dog just like that. He gets aggresive if you even touch his feet 😔 Even the groomers gave up.

[@paints11081]

I really like this video, and the advice to move slowly. That is something so important.

[@MrJojofromkokomo]

LoL "Hey where are those clippers. I love those clippers".

[@kolis_lady]

I’m still waiting for her to start clipping the nails. Not knowing she finished clipping the nails already & video over!😳👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@chateaucastle1]

Excellent demonstration. Thank you.

[@jenniferadams9480]

Thank you for showing how calm it can be. I have a rescue who was hit by a car as a pup and broke his wrist. He’s very particular about his front paws being touched or held so I’ll have to start there. Also, saw another video where they suggested sharp clippers to make it easier on the dog.

[@texaspatty4697]

Beautiful brindle boy!

[@Tinadinnah]

This was amazing. I love the way you broke it down so so helpful

[@growinggreentomatoeswithje3253]

Fantastic video! Thanks so much!

[@bananabeets]

Thank you for this great video. I am excited to try this with my puppy!

[@popscyclep8084]

Best tutorial ever! Thanks Kelly, gotta 120 lb Dane very stubborn, it’s been a fail for me! I usually have the Kennell or vet do this, but with the lockdown .....

[@sequoyahbean]

Very nice. I shared it on my Paws for Praise Puppy Head Start page, as well as linked from the Paws for Praise main FB page, for those who are interested in good husbandry as well as training. The more attention we pay to teaching, rather than forcing, dogs, the less trouble we have!

[@jackieher101]

Thank you for this video! I didn't know how to properly introduce my chihuahua to clippers when she was a puppy and hates them now :( I just got some new clippers, so I'm going to take it as slow as she needs to. Hope this will be a success 🤗

[@thierrygiunta1093]

thank you soooooo much very good video I will be practising and I will not rush xx

[@cecilly59]

Great and helpful video. Could you make a video showing how to clip the back feet nails? My dog kicks incessantly and it's nearly impossible to get her back nails clipped without issues due to so much movement.

[@josephinecoutrotsakoschek7759]

Thank you ! I have to write this quickly before I forget. Our main pb are the twin claws on the back legs. Touched them a lot while feeding her, which of course gave no results in terms of CC. Just now, I followed your advice of handling for the 2 front paws. Had the special CC treat ready in advance, in the right location. I touch with one hand, feed with the other hand which remains still as I touch. As usual, the answer was growling (not agressively, but discontent) and moving away. But every time she came back to my right hand, which after a while I thought I could put on the ground. So it was : touch, growling & backing away, feeding with the left hand, showing empty right hand again, etc... until..... she layed down, on her side, with her head on the floor, let me touch and took food without moving. This is when tears came into my eyes. Thank you. We have a lot more to go, espacially for those back twins claws. I had worked on the clipper previously, and will add it again correctly when handling paws and claws is ok for her. I hope this comment gives hope to other people. How much time do I have if I do it everyday ? is twice a day advisible ? Thank you again.

[@marya.wilkowski2931]

Try this! The guillotine-style nail clippers are the cruelest invention since, well, the guillotine(!), so I don't use them. They're especially disastrous with black nails. Instead, I use human toenail clippers. Before heading to the drugstore to select your toenail clippers, look at your dog's nails. At the tip, are they sharp or blunt? If they're sharp, you'll ultimately select clippers with the narrowest gap; if the nails are worn blunt, clippers with a bit wider gap. See, below. To select the proper tool (which costs the princely sum of, oh, about $1.50) take out a few from the hook and compare the distances between the teeth. You'll notice that some are narrow and others are wide (there's no standardization!). I recommend that you select a clipper with the narrowest space--ESPECIALLY if the dog has been traumatized by butchers--yes, including vets--who couldn't manage guillotine clippers and nicked the quick. Remember that, like most things in life, it's all about relationships--and yours with your pet is super important. TAKE YOUR TIME--DO NOT, for one moment, believe that you have only one opportunity to trim your dog's nails! If you hurt your dog while trimming its nails, you've compromised your relationship - and, once the trust is lost, it's hard to regain it. Here's the way to reduce the length of your dog's nails, AND preserve your relationship!! 1. Position some dog treats to the side of your chair. 2. Carry your dog to the chair, and sit down. 3. While seated, put your dog on your lap, on its back, stroke its belly and allow it to completely relax. 4. Clip the TINIEST bit of nail, and then praise/treat your dog. 5. Stroke your dog until relaxed again. 6. Clip the TINIEST bit of the next nail. Repeat these "tiny" clips and praise/treat for each of the remaining 14 nails. If your dog's nails are long, repeat this process two days later, and every other day until the nails are the appropriate length. Ultimately you won't need the treats because your dog will welcome the warm fuzzies and praise, and importantly, will trust you! Once you--and your dog--are comfortable with this process, return to the store and select a toenail clipper with teeth that are a bit wider. You get the picture. Good luck!!!

[@jodyschaefer7305]

Mary, Sadly not all dogs are of a size where this is advisable or even possible. You won't find a human Clippers that will handle a large dog's nails and I really don't recommend trying to pick up 60+ pounds of wiggly dog. The video seems like a better idea..

[@Vc-ot1bt]

​@@jodyschaefer7305amen to that!! ❤

[@kayrinp3880]

Very helpful!

[@carolinelawry7486]

Thanks for the helpful instructions

[@CilginCsCi]

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[@thingamajig6542]

Perfect dog psychology in practice.

[@Kleinbrookah1]

Awesome video! Do you have one for just desensitizing a dog to having their paws handled?

[@annforeman3035]

Same exact theory works,just touch with no trim

[@AmyAnderson2]

What kind of clippers are you using? Do they have a quick guide on them? I've tried to condition Sadie to the dremel and to nail files. She's not happy with sound of the dremel, or the way nail files / sandpaper feel. So I think I need to start from scratch with nail clippers.

[@willabum3022]

I prefer the rechargeable nail grinders to be honest. I managed to get one online from petacute

[@hiphopsecops]

Great video thank you

[@fayejones4253]

I’ve tried this method with my jack Russell but think I rushed it. He sniffs the clippers and has even tried to chew them so I think he knows what they’re for. I can massage his paws really easily but as soon as the clippers come near them he jerks away

[@samanthachambers5598]

What kind of dog is he?

[@Yodz]

Wonderful! Could you come to do my Chihuahuas nails? I've tried everything, they're wise to all my attempts😀🐕🐶

[@candyskillicorn7704]

Lol my cousin has a pack of all diff sizes & breeds But the daughters always were carrying them.. they werent fond of their scrapy talons, my cousin said to put the dogs on the ground outside.. it works a charm he swears the dogs can handle it lol. Obviously not hot ground or if they're too old or cold.. altho weather appropriate clothing is super helpful for them furbabies so they don't get too cold!x

[@danimolusco]

my dog doesnt mind me touching his nails with the clipper but once i apply pressure he immediately moves his paws away, should i start from where he's comfortable or should i try everything that was shown in the video from the beginning (showing clippers then give treat)?

[@DougHinVA]

do this gradually ... in steps. See te clippers and get snacks. see and get touched on the foot by clippers and get snacks. Last is to actually clip 1 or 2 nail tips only for snacks. Do NOT try to cut the nail and risk bleeding or the dog will be scared of you yelling and anxious because of blood. Take your time over 3-5 sessions. Do this when the dog is relaxed and hungry.... not as a chore when you are frustrated. It is for the dog... do not make it about YOU.

[@NotSewNoah]

I just got a puppy and my mom while I was away clipped her nails and did it too short. Now the vet can’t even clip her nails. Hopefully this will help. I’ll let you know.

[@acuriousspoon843]

thats funny, i have a dog that looks like ace and another dog named ace.

[@darrenanderson5260]

Hi I was told not to give to many treats but good video

[@user_dani5529]

It’s a nice video but my dog still won’t go near the clippers 😭

[@poppyaustin7315]

How to deal with back legs?

[@candyskillicorn7704]

Try same thing perhaps.x

[@user-vt5gx4mc2q]

What do I do if my puppy bites the clippers as soon as I present them 🥲

[@mobstercrow7515]

omg my dogs name is ace hes a corgi puppy i have 3 other doggies

[@5jjt]

To anyone else who can't replicate the video: It's not illegal, nor cruel to secure your dog still to the floor gently with minimal body weight. Your dog may try to escape, or flail, but if your not hurting your dog it will realize that everything is okay, eventually.

[@dizzymagic]

Depending on the dog, especially those with "baggage", that can be counterproductive. It might not even be feasible with a really large dog being handled by just one person. I'd save using gentle force for the rare, urgent situations, like an x-ray at the vet for a dog who reacts badly to sedation, rather than a task performed weekly. This method worked amazingly for me and my puppy, but if it doesn't work for someone else, I'd urge them to keep looking for other ways to condition the dog to at least calmly tolerate clipping.

[@dfros1957]

I have a 130 lb mastiff who was a rescue even the vet could not trim. 4 people were trying to hold him down. ( he was muzzled) they brought him back out and said he was so traumatized that he defecated all over the walls in the room. I'm heart broken that he had to go through this. They said he would need to be knocked out if they were going to try to do his nails again. I am hoping this will work.

[@jonathanhou8712]

Lol my dog got up and helped himself to the treats because he knows the treats are on the chair and wouldn't wait for me to give it to him. 😂 He's not that dumb unfortunately. I doubt his nails will ever be trimmed.