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As trainers, we are asked a variety of questions about living with dogs.  Probably one of the most frequent questions is about trimming your dog’s nails.

There are plenty of ‘how to’ videos on YouTube which describe just how to accomplish a nail trimming (click on the picture for a link), but typically when people ask a trainer, it’s because the dog is resisting, or even biting at them to get them to stop.
It would be so simple, if they’d just hold still, right?
If you are at this point with your dog, where nail trimming has become a losing battle, it’s time to take back the control.  Dogs with long nails can have health related issues if their nails get too long.  And it doesn’t have to be traumatic.
Here are a couple of ideas to try to start making a better outcome for both you and your dog.

If your dog becomes upset at the sight of nail trimmers, or the even the act of you opening your grooming drawer, bag, etc, start here:

1. Use your obedience: practice your dog holding his sit, or down when you go to the  drawer or when you pick up your trimmers. (If you don’t have this basic control, call us!  We can help.)
2. This is nothing more than a distraction.  If you’ve done your job as your dog’s trainer well, your dog will quickly understand that this is no different than waiting at the front door, or walking politely next to you.
3. Next, put away the trimmers, release your dog and reward them.

You may be saying, “Wait a minute!  I didn’t trim his nails!”

That’s right!  But as you do this exercise more frequently your dog will learn to not get excited at the sight of the trimmers.  Part of the problem is the workup before you even try to trim.  Keep the excitement level down, have better success.

1. Once you are to the point where picking up the trimmers doesn’t upset your dog (maybe only makes them mildly wary), now it’s time to approach your dog.  Repeat steps 1-3 above walking back to the dog with the trimmers in your hand.
2. Next sit with dog with your clippers in your hand. (Repeat 1-3 above)
3. Touch your dogs nails with your trimmers in your hand.  (Repeat 1-3 above)

If you get to this point, it means your dog is sitting or laying nicely next to you when you touch their nails with the trimmers.  Continue to use your obedience, understanding that this is like any other distraction and may be tough at first.  You may even just try to trim one or two nails at a time to begin with, as a quicker way to reward your dog for their increasing cooperation.

Article written by Amy Garabedian from Sit Means Sit Detroit