How to Trim a Dog’s Nails That Hates It (Step-By-Step)

Dog nail clippers or scissors are the most basic tools when it comes to dog nail trimming. They’re also the ones that many dogs dislike because of the pressure they feel on their nail as the blades clamp down.

These tools can be narrowed down further into different types:

Guillotine Clippers

For these ones, there is a small hole to insert your dog’s nail into and the blades slide across to snip off the tip. Some of them even come with a guard so you don’t cut too deep. These clippers are best for small to medium-sized nails that aren’t too thick.

Scissors

Scissor clippers are just like human nail scissors, but they’re meant for dogs. These tools can come with either curved or straight blades. Scissor clippers are versatile and work for a wide range of nails – but not ones that are too thick or hard.

Pliers

Plier-type clippers are the ones meant for heavy-duty nail clipping. They resemble the pliers we’re used to with two handles and a small cutting blade. As you can probably guess, these clippers are meant for thicker and harder dog nails. 

If your dog is not a fan of clippers, you can turn to dog nail grinders. These are battery-operated and are designed to sand down your dog’s nails to a desired length slowly. You have more control with dog nail grinders and they are usually safer and offer more precision. 

You also won’t have issues with splintering or rough-cut edges because the drum sander will not only shorten but smooth out the ends of the nails at the same time.

As great as these devices sound, there is a major drawback for many dogs, which is the engine noise. The sound of the tool starting up and the vibrations against your dog’s nails could be unpleasant for him.

If all else fails, you can resort to manual dog nail scratchboards. The does all the work – but not without some training first. These tools are quite innovative and simple. They are basically just sandpapers of varying coarseness stuck onto the surface of a wooden or plastic board.

Your dog can naturally file and shorten his nails by doing something dogs do best – scratching! It’s stress-free for many dogs and definitely takes the burden off of your shoulders. However, training your dog on how to use it could take some time, so be prepared for that with plenty of positive reinforcement and treats.

Techniques to Make Dog Nail Trimming Easier

Aside from picking the right tools, pawrents can also employ the below techniques to make the process more enjoyable and less stressful for all parties.

This piece of advice may come a little too late for those who have grown dogs who are already averse to nail trimming. But for the owners who have new pups, getting a head start on nail cutting can significantly increase the chances of your dog accepting it. 

Grooming of varying degrees is necessary for every dog. Introduce dog nail trimming into your puppy’s daily regimen early on. Show him the clippers, let him interact with it, and reward him after every clip. 

You don’t necessarily have to do a complete trim in the beginning. Even getting to clip one nail can be considered a win. Just make sure to reward your pup handsomely so he associates nail cutting with good things.

As your dog grows, his anxiety and stress towards nail trimming should decrease.

If your dog is already showing resistance, then you may have to bring it back to the basics. Start from the beginning when you introduce the nail clippers. Let your dog accept it at his own pace. Let him sniff it, touch the clippers gently to your dog’s paws and nails, and reward his calm behavior.

The key is to create positive experiences during this process so nail trimming will be a happy and maybe even fun event for your dog. Keep the desensitizing sessions short and sweet, increase the level of handling gradually, and eventually start to trim the nails. The key to desensitization isn’t the length of each session, but the frequency. 

We’ve mentioned this a lot, but we really cannot state this enough – positive reinforcement is so important. Not only is it vital to reward your dog for good behavior, but positive reinforcement is also an excellent form of communication.

It’s a great way to show your dog what’s good, what’s bad, what it is you want, what he needs to stop, and what he should be doing to get what he wants. We don’t need to mention that it’s also an excellent tool for any type of training!

Instead of cutting, nail scratchboards and grinders as we mentioned above are also great considerations to get the job done. Sometimes even taking your dog on daily walks can do the trick. As your dog trots on the pavement, the concrete and asphalt work like dog nail scratchboards and help file down the nails – or at least the ones on the back paws.

Sometimes despite your best efforts and intentions, your dog is just extremely averse to nail trimming. If this is the case, it’s best not to put your dog through such stress, especially since dog nail trimming is for maintenance and should be done frequently.

Professional groomers may have different methods to help trim your dog’s nails but if you want to be extra cautious, you can seek the help of a vet.

Recognizing Signs of Stress in Your Dog During Nail Trimming

It’s important to know when to stop and when your dog has had enough. Recognizing the signs that your dog needs a break or is very anxious and stressed out is crucial during the training process.

When to take a break trimming your dog's nails

• Body Language - Look for raised hackles, a tucked tail, a tense posture, and even shaking or trembling. Panting and drooling are also signs of a stressed-out dog.
• Vocalizations - Your dog may also whimper, cry, howl, or yelp, to voice his discontent and fear during or before nail trimming.
• Avoidance, Hiding, Running Away - This is a common one. Right when you break out the nail-trimming tools, you’ll notice your dog has skedaddled and disappeared.
• Yawning and Lip Licking - Yawning is not only a sign of exhaustion, but it’s also how your dog relieves stress. Lip licking and smacking are commonly associated with hunger, but it could also be (you guessed it) a sign of stress in your dog.
• Paw Pulling - Does your dog yank his paws away when you try to grasp it? Yep, it’s another way to communicate to you that he wants nothing to do with nail trimming.
• Excessive Scratching - Scratching is another thing dogs do to mitigate stress. Give your dog a break if he’s sitting and scratching excessively.
• Wide Eyes and Dilated Pupils - This one is easier for us to understand because wide eyes and dilated pupils are something humans exhibit in the face of fear as well.
• Aggression - The worst-case scenario is if your dog gets aggressive when you try to cut his nails. In this case, it’s important to seek professional assistance.