If there is one thing that dogs possibly despise more than a trip to the vet, it’s getting their nails clipped. For starters, they really don’t want to sit still unless they’re passing out or getting a belly rub. For another, they don’t like being handled awkwardly, and having their legs and feet held definitely qualifies. Lastly, they’re naturally afraid of the whole process. They don’t know that our actions are coming from a place of love to keep them healthy and safe. Here are a few tips to alleviate your dog’s anxiety and safely clip their toenails.
Routine Grooming
Regularly trimming your dog’s nails is a vital component of their overall grooming needs. Long nails can affect the way your dog walks, which could cause complications in the future. Also, if your dog’s nails get too long, they could easily break, which is not only painful for the animal, but could also cause a severe infection if overlooked or not treated properly. Therefore, it’s important that you monitor the length of your pooch’s nails and trim them at regular intervals.
Anxiety
Anxiety tends to be contagious, and this is especially true when trimming your dog’s nails. Most pups get extremely nervous when forced to endure a nail clipping, which, in turn, makes their owners feel nervous as well. Obviously, we don’t want to injure our little furry friends, and our desire to simply finish the task as quickly as possible often ironically leads us to doing just that.
The best way to relieve your anxiety is to relieve your dog’s anxiety. Associate the procedure with something they enjoy. The best way to accomplish this is through reward. Immediately before and after clipping their nails, give them something special, such as a new chew toy, a delicious treat, or a lively romp in the backyard or around the neighborhood. Over time, they will come to associate these special events with having their nails trimmed, and although they will likely never come to love their regular trimmings, they will gradually come to remain calm throughout the process. You can even reward them with treats as you go! For each nail, give them a tidbit of a treat and continue on through every one of their adorable little toes.
Patience
Even if your dog has come to anticipate their reward, you’ll still want to remain calm and patient as you slowly go about clipping their nails. If you begin to rush, they will sense your anxiety and will likely become agitated and fidgety, which could result in an injury and lessen the trust you’ve established. The first time you trim, don’t attempt to clip all of their nails in a single sitting. Trim 2-3 nails, take a break, and then trim a few more. As previously mentioned, it’s a good idea to use these intervals to give them a treat or an especially snuggly belly rub. Lastly, remember to use a soothing voice and speak soft words of encouragement to your dog throughout the process. This will help you both remain calm and should result in a positive, productive clipping session.
Know Where to Trim
Nothing will hamper a nail clipping session faster than clipping the animal’s nail too short and penetrating the sensitive quick. This requires a bit of skill, which you will begin to develop further with repeated trimmings. If your dog’s nails are clear, you should easily be able to spot the live quick by its pink tone. You don’t want to get any closer than two millimeters from the quick.
If your dog has dark nails, the process becomes a bit trickier. The best practice here is to clip small amounts of the nail at the time and take note of the exposed edges of the nails. You’ll know that you’ve cut sufficiently short once you see a gray or pink oval. Once you do, you can stop trimming and move on to the next nails. If you have a partner helping you trim, have them shine a flashlight on the dog’s paw. This will help to back-light the nails as you clip, allowing clear visibility to the pink quick.
Accidents Happen
If you happen to trim the nail too short and cut the quick, your dog will definitely let you know. They will let out a yelp and attempt to flee. You’ll probably also notice a bit of bleeding, which can last for quite a while. Try to remain calm and reassure your dog in a soothing voice. Again, treats come in handy here, as they can help calm your dog and reestablish trust. Once they have settled down a bit, apply clotting powder to the wound to stop the bleeding. Don’t attempt any more trimming for a few days or until the wound is healed completely.
Clipping your dog’s nails tends to inspire significant anxiety for both you and your four-legged friend. But if you remain calm and reassuring, keep plenty of treats nearby, and move slowly and carefully, your dog should have perfectly pedicured toes in no time!
