How to Cut the Nails of a Rebellious Dog

Many dogs hate having their feet handled, so clipping Fido's nails can be a challenge if he's particularly rebellious. If professional dog grooming isn't in your budget, make the grooming experience easier on both of you by learning how to take care of his feet properly yourself. Know what you're doing and you'll avoid injuries that will make your dog skittish around the grooming table for a long time afterward. Use treats, toys and other rewards to make grooming memorable for the right reasons, and you should have less trouble managing your dog with every successive nail clipping session.

Things You'll Need

  • Nail clippers
  • Styptic pencil
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Handle your dog's feet regularly in between grooming sessions. Praise him and offer food rewards for letting you touch his paws. Ideally, you should start holding your dog's feet when he's a puppy, but touching an adult dog's paws without introducing the trimmer can also help your dog get used to handling when grooming time comes.

    • 2

      Get your dog used to the grooming environment too. Put her up on the grooming table for about a minute. Praise her for being a good dog and staying put, then offer a walk or play session to reinforce the good behavior.

    • 3

      Watch while a vet or a professional groomer clips your dog's nails. Dogs have soft tissue called the quick embedded in their nails just beyond their paws. Cut into the quick and your dog will experience pain and bleeding, which is unpleasant for your dog and sure to make later grooming sessions even more of a challenge. Learn from your vet or groomer how to avoid it to keep you from making mistakes when you do the trimming yourself.

    • 4

      Exercise your dog before the grooming session to lower his energy levels and reduce his anxiety. Dog-training expert Cesar Millan suggests swimming, which helps tire your pooch out while calming him down at the same time. Take your dog out for a walk or romp in a nearby field if swimming isn't an option for you.

    • 5

      Introduce the nail clippers to your dog slowly. If you're using Cesar's water method, stop the dog from paddling, then hold her foot while you show her the trimmer. Let her swim for a little while longer, then attempt to cut one nail. If your dog seems anxious, let her swim more before the next cut, otherwise continue to trim the rest of her foot.

    • 6

      Hold your dog's paw gently and speak soothingly to him if you've opted to clip his nails on a grooming table. Offer lots of praise for every nail you trim, and give your dog a treat every time you finish a foot.

    • 7

      Restrain your dog to keep her from squirming if she fails to stay still on the grooming table. Stand on the side of the table opposite the nails you want to trim. Lay your right arm over the dog's body to hold her in place and keep your left forearm over the dog's neck to keep her from raising her head.

    • 8

      Hold the paw you're working on in your left hand and trim with your right while maintaining the restraint posture. Reduce the pressure you're applying if the dog stops struggling and stays still for you. Continue to give praise and use soothing words, and offer the dog a treat each time you finish one paw.

    • 9

      Lavish your pet with attention immediately after the grooming session is over. Rub his belly, scratch him between the ears and let him know what a good boy he was. Take out a favorite toy and play with your dog for 15 minutes.