How to Keep a Dog Calm While Clipping Its Nails

Just like their human counterparts, dogs need a good manicure from time to time. Trimming your dog's nails isn't for cosmetic purposes; you should do this to prevent injury and pain that result from overgrowth. To keep your dog groomed properly, you need to trim its nails every few weeks. In order to successfully trim your dog's nails, it is important to know how to keep a dog calm during nail trimming.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats
  • Dog nail clippers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get your dog used to you touching its paws before you try to trim its nails. Do this by holding and massaging its paws regularly. Keep doing this with your dog everyday until it doesn't seem phased or bothered by the activity.

    • 2

      Sit on the floor with your dog. Before you start trimming a dog's nails, you need to calm the pup with affection. Sitting on the floor not only puts you on your dog's level, but it also gives you the opportunity to snuggle and pet it.

    • 3

      Give your dog a calming treat, or spray the area you are working in with a calming spray. Pet stores sell herbal treats and supplements you can use to relax your dog before nail trimming. This only needs to be a part of your nail-trimming routine if your dog has a excessive fear or aversion to the activity.

    • 4

      Start trimming your dog's nails one at a time. If it is very resistant or fearful, take a break in between each nail, and reward the dog with a treat to keep it motivated. The treats will also help your dog develop a positive association with an activity it finds unpleasant.

    • 5

      Speak to your dog in a calm, reassuring voice while you are trimming its nails. Use phrases or words that are calming. Make sure you praise your dog throughout the process.

    • 6

      Give your dog a treat, and praise it when you have trimmed all of its nails. This will help train your dog to be less resistant to the activity. Don't scold your dog for displaying fear during nail trimming; doing so will create a negative association with the entire activity.