DOGGY NAIL TRIMS
(If you need help with kitty nail trims please view our Feline Scratching web page)

Washington State University Pet Health Topics

On this web page we are providing instructions on how to trim your dog's nails.  Should you try this at home? Should you bring your pooch to us for trimming?  There is much to consider! 

But no matter if you bring your pet to us, or you master the skill of nail trimming, it is important that you train your dog to enjoy nail trims.  Home work to gradually and positively acclimate your dog to paw handling is strongly recommended!

Punishment should never be used if your dog resists nail trimming.  Many dogs find nail trims unpleasant, and some truly fear them.  Positive rewards and reinforcements need to be offered to help dogs tolerate and hopefully even enjoy a nail trim. 

Here are some links that illustrate the basic procedure of a canine nail trim.

Toe Nail Trimming A basic handout from Veterinary Partner on how to trim your dog's nails.

How to Trim Dog Toe Nails  Nicely illustrated instructions from the Washington State University Vet School's common pet procedures webpage.

How to Trim Dog Nails a nice video on the nail trim procedure.

Before we start with the actual trim, we need to teach the dog to enjoy having his paws handled. This is something that owners should start at home at the earliest age possible.  Expose your pup to frequent paw handling!  Reward relaxed behavior when the paws are touched and the nail trimmer is around. 

Even if you do not want to cut your dog's nails at home, these exercises are still important for your dog so that things will go smoothly for him at the groomer or the vets.  Try short 5 minute training sessions frequently to acclimate your pup or dog.  We strongly encourage all owners to do this at home.

10 Quick Dog Training Tips Before trying to train your dog to allow paw handling and nail triming (or training anything else to your pup) remember these important tips provided by Veterinary Behavior Specialist, Dr. Lisa Radosta. Stick to these rules and any type of training will be successful!

Be sure to pick a currency (treat or reward) that your dog will be willing to work for!  When treating for something difficult, the pay out needs to be something fabulous.  Figure out your dog's currency in advance; is it cooked chicken or beef, or peanut butter or chease, or is it some other delicacy? 

Training a Dog to Enjoy Nail Trims  A video of positive reinforcement training for nail trims by Dr. Sophia Yin.

Clicker Training for Relaxed and Happy Nail Trims  Is your dog already panicked by nail trims and about to hurt himself or others? Brute force and punishment is not the solution to this!!  This is a great video on how a dog with a severe aversion to nail trims can be rehabilited with positive clicker training.  An award winning video from the Canis Film Festival.

Spa Day: Training Your Dog to Love a Bath, a brush out, and a Mani/Pedi  More on clicker training to teach your dog to enjoy grooming procedures including nail trims.

In some cases it may still be necessary to muzzle a dog for safe nail trimming.  When a muzzle is needed it must be used and introduced in a positive manner.  We need to teach dogs to ENJOY wearing a muzzle. 

Here are some links to help you train your dog to accept and wear a muzzle.  The more work you do on this at home, the easier the vet visit will be.  Short frequent training sessions in a calm home environment will be more effective than forcing this on a dog when fearful in the veterinary hospital.  Home work on muzzle training is very important so that the muzzle does not cause stress and anxiety.

If you need help purchasing or fitting for a muzzle, ask us, we can make recommendations or order one for your dog. 

Regular Muzzles should NEVER be left on long term because the inhibit a dog's ability to pant and swallow.  If unable to pant dogs will dangerously overheat rapidly. If you need a muzzle longer term, a "basket muzzle" must be used that will allow the mouth to open and pant, but will still prevent dangerous bites

Examples of Basket Muzzles

Morrco.com Dog Muzzles is a great place to purchase regular as well as basket muzzles. You will also find a handy article on Dog Muzzle Training Made Easy on their website.

Teaching a Dog to Wear a Basket Muzzle

Teaching Your Dog to Wear a Muzzle  Click to view a another YouTube Video on how to use positive reinforcement to teach your dog to ENJOY wearing a muzzle!  This kind of positive training can help reinforce other things too such as nail trims or ear cleaning.  Make it fun! Condition for a postive emotional response! 

How to Counter Condition a dog to wear a muzzle  From Dr. Sophia Yin, an illustrated handout on how to introduce a muzzle to a dog with positive reinforcement techniques.