Any tricks for cutting their Nails?

[JenInIndy]

Odie held still perfectly in the vet's office when they showed me how to cut his nails. I need to cut them now. I was able to get one paw done before he absolutely refuses to hold still for anymore of that.

I didn't nick the quick on any of those nails either. I swear my heart was beating faster cutting his nails than it ever has at work in any emergency situation (RN). I was so afraid to hurt him.

So any tricks that I need to know so that I can finish the other 3 paws??? (other than take him to the vet to have it done)...

 

[Hobart Ave.]

I wait until Hobart is asleep to do his (usually at night when we're hunkered down in front of the tv). Even then he only waits for about three to be done before he gets up and moves. This has worked pretty well for me. Afterall, there's no rule that says you have to do them all at once so if your pup will let you do a few at a time I say go for it and eventually all of them will be done with no problem.

 

[Emily_7538]

I am sorry that Odie won't be still for you. I wish that I knew how to get them to be still, but I have no idea.

 

[bayleighmom]

Peanut Butter!

Bayleigh wouldn't hold still for a nail trim, either. Thanks to BW, we tried peanut butter. DH will hold her in his lap, letting her lick pb off a spoon. She is so into the pb that she doesn't notice the nail trim!

 

[KonaKoffe]

Use two people and make sure you have Stop Bleed handy when you are doing it.

 

[Holden's Mom]

Try a dremel. Make an appointment with a groomer who uses one and watch. Petey's foster mom Beth was a groomer and she showed us how to do the nails before we left her house with Petey. It's almost impossible to get to the quick with the dremal. Ask at the Westfield PetSmart if they use the dremal for trimming nails. If so, take Odie and observe. We actually did this with ear cleaning, even though Beth had shown us how to do that also.

Pam and Pete

 

[carver1102]

we talked to the vet about this. he told us to make sure she is at your level. so basically he said put her on your counter or table to do this. anything lower and she has a dominant stance over you. then we took her kong and filled it with peanut butter, she was so content with the pb she didn't care we were cutting her nails.

 

[Courtknee202]

I've always cut all our dogs nails and never had a problem. Our first dog used to go to the vet because he hated having his feet touched, until it drove my mom crazy so I started doing it myself.

I go into a quiet room, have to dog come in and just sit on the floor with him/her and talk quietly. Give them the "down" command. Then just slowly roll them onto their side and scratch the belly. From there just pick a foot and start trimming. If they get tense just talk calmly and get them to relax. If the dog tries to bite your hand just so aaah no and lightly push their head away and reassure them. I find it helps to have a bright light on so you can see the quick. Lucy falls asleep!

 

[sandy's mom]

It is funny, neither of mine will let me cut their nails. But, they don't mind when someone else does it. Napoleon will lay in the floor on his back to get his done. It is really funny. I guess they just don't want mom to do it.
Maybe yours are the same way.

 

[jksjkc]

The washer is a great place to cut nails. Put his/her blanket on it so it's not cold.
I give Butch a treat in between paws. So now he looks forward to the treats.