Most dogs do not object to having their nails cut. They object to being held still by someone who is tense about doing it. That distinction is the whole reason this goes badly in so many homes, and it is also why it is fixable.
The video above is from Dr. Candice Flynn, DVM, at Columbia Pike Animal Hospital, one of our two sister hospitals. The technique is the same wherever you are. What follows is how we think about it at Town and Country, where fear is the thing we are trained to work around.
Why do nail trims go wrong?
Very rarely because the nails are difficult. They go wrong because your dog has learned that this is the moment someone holds them down.
Dogs take their cue from the person holding them. If your hands are braced for a struggle, your dog is braced too. A dog who shakes through a trim is usually reacting to the position, not to anything happening at the end of the nail.
That is why Town and Country is Fear Free Certified as a practice. The handling itself is the part that decides how the next one goes.
How should you set up before you start?
Sit on the floor. Leaning over a dog from standing is a restraint posture and they read it that way.
Put a leash on, get down, and bring one leg gently over the neck so your dog is supported rather than pinned. A lick mat with something good on it gives them something better to think about. Another person helping is not cheating, it usually makes the whole thing quicker and calmer.
Open the styptic powder and set it within reach before you start, not after you need it. Use sharp trimmers. A dull pair crushes rather than cuts, and that is what your dog will remember.
Where is the quick, and how do you avoid it?
The quick is the living core of the nail, with blood supply and nerve. Cutting it hurts and it bleeds.
On a clear nail you can see it as a pink wedge down the centre, so you simply stop short. On a black nail you cannot see anything, so you take small slices off the tip and read the cut surface each time. Chalky white in the middle means keep going. A small dark dot appearing in the centre means you have reached the quick and that nail is finished.
Work up and down rather than side to side. Sideways pressure twists the nail in its bed, which is uncomfortable even when you are well clear of the quick.
What about the dew claws?
These are the ones people miss.
Dew claws sit higher on the inside of the leg and never contact the ground, so they never wear down. Left long enough they curl and grow into the pad. Check them every time.
When should you stop?
Before your dog decides to stop for you.
Four calm nails is a good session. Finish, give a treat, come back to the rest tomorrow. Pushing on while your dog gets steadily more upset teaches them that struggling ends it, and you will pay for that lesson at every trim after this one.
If nail trims have already gone badly in your house, that is worth saying when you book. We can work at your dog's pace, and for some pet parents the right answer is simply letting us do them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I trim my dog's nails?
Every three to four weeks for most dogs. Clicking on a hard floor means they are already overdue.
What do I do if I cut the quick?
Press styptic powder onto the tip and hold gentle pressure. It usually stops within a few minutes. If it does not, or it restarts once your dog is walking around, call us at (703) 273-2110.
What if my dog is genuinely frightened of it?
Tell us. That is exactly what Fear Free handling is for, and there are calming options we can talk through before the Fear Free Appointment rather than during it.
Is a grinder better than clippers?
For some dogs, yes, particularly those with thick nails. Introduce it switched off first so the sound is not a surprise.
Can I just bring my dog in?
Yes. Book a Fear Free Appointment and we will take care of it. We can also do it while your dog is in for a routine wellness checkup, and you can see what our wellness plans cover.
When should you call us?
If bleeding will not stop, if a nail is torn or split into the nail bed, or if the foot is swollen or your dog will not bear weight on it, have it looked at.
Book a Fear Free Appointment at townandcountryanimalh.com/schedule-appointment, or call or text us at (703) 273-2110.
Book a Fear Free AppointmentCall or text: (703) 273-2110
Bleeding that will not stop, after hours?
Our sister hospital Columbia Pike Animal Hospital and Emergency Center is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and there is no additional emergency fee.
Town and Country Animal Hospital
9836 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030
Love People. Love Pets.