How to Cut the Toe Nails on a Stubborn Dog

Puppies should have their nails trimmed weekly when nursing. Their tiny nails are soft but can still scratch and irritate the mother's skin. As they grow, puppies continue to need regular trimming to learn to accept it calmly. A dog that was not taught early on to accept toenail cutting may be stubborn or resistant, reacting in a fearful or aggressive way during the process. But nail trimming is necessary because of the discomfort and potential damage to the dog's paws and posture that can result from long nails. The longer the nails are, the greater the likelihood of cutting too short and causing pain to the dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Bright light
  • Small treats
  • Muzzle (optional)
  • Nail clippers
  • Assistant
  • Styptic pencil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a bright light to shine on the area where you will be cutting the dog's nails. Make sure the light will not shine in the dog's face.

    • 2

      Speak soothingly to your dog as you place it in position to have its nails trimmed. Give your dog lots of praise and small treats throughout the entire nail cutting session.

    • 3
      This type of muzzle allows for tiny, soft treats to be given.

      Muzzle your dog if you feel it is at all inclined to bite. Some dogs that are very gentle under normal circumstances will bite if you handle their paws or if you hurt them by cutting the nail too short. Use a muzzle that allows the dog to take a small training tidbit while wearing it. The treats must be tiny and soft, of a melt-in-the-mouth texture, such as freeze-dried liver or thin slivers of hot dog.

    • 4

      Have an assistant restrain your dog reassuringly but firmly enough that it can't wrestle free. Direct the assistant to stand behind and over the dog and place one hand slightly above the bend of your dog's elbow to prevent the dog from pulling its paw away. Have the assistant place his other hand around the dog's muzzle and lightly hold the dog's face away from you as you cut its nails.

    • 5
      Cut the tips, just before the curve of the nail.

      Cut tiny bits off the nail instead of one big chunk, so you can better see when you've cut enough. It is sometimes difficult to see the quick even with light-colored nails.

    • 6

      Trim the tiniest bit off the tips once a week once the nails are the proper length. Generally, dogs require nail trimming every two to four weeks but weekly trimmings aid in training the dog to relax during the process and you are less likely to cut the quick.