#201 No Mani No Pedi

Does your dog run and hide at the mere sight of nail clippers? You're not alone in this struggle. Many pet parents face the challenge of overgrown nails that can cause their furry friends pain, alter their walking gait, and potentially lead to serious joint problems down the road.

Chapters

• 0:00 Why Nail Care Matters
• 0:29 Desensitization Techniques
• 1:09 Making Nail Trims Positive
• 1:47 Alternative Nail Care Methods
• 3:14 Professional Help Options

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:03

If your dog hates getting their nails trimmed, you're not alone. A lot of dogs think those nail clippers are evil devices invented purely for torture. But here's the thing Overgrown nails can cause pain, change how your dog walks and even lead to joint problems. So nail care is very important. So if your dog is already nervous about nail trends, you can work on desensitization. Start small, just show him the clippers or the grinder as you give him a treat and use really, really high-value treats at first. Let him start to associate that treat with the tool and leave the tool out in plain sight instead of putting it away and move it from location to location every few days. And move it from location to location every few days. This way your dog learns that the sight of the clippers doesn't always mean something scary is coming. Next, start to touch their paw without clipping and give him a treat, and then build up to holding a paw for a couple of seconds, then touching the nail with the tool and then eventually trimming just one nail in a session. And after clipping that nail, reward like crazy Toss a favorite toy, run around the backyard together or hand them an extra special treat, and remember you don't have to do all four paws at once. Spread it out over a few days. If the sight or sound of the tool is the problem, you can uncouple it from the bad experience. For example, turn on the grinder while tossing treats away from it, so your dog learns the sound predicts something good.

Speaker 1: 2:10

There are also some fun products on the market that combine play and nail care Toys coated with sandpaper or rough surfaces that let your dog grind their own nails while trying to get to the hidden treats inside. It's like a mini enrichment session and a nail trim all at the same time. For squirmy dogs, hacks like lick mats with peanut butter, frozen kongs or having them stand on a stable surface while a helper offers treats can make a big difference. Some people even do nail trims on walks, filing one nail at a time with a grinder after the dog's tired from the exercise and if your dog absolutely hates nail trims. And if your dog absolutely hates nail trims, you can keep nails in check by walking regularly on concrete or asphalt, which naturally files them down.

Speaker 1: 3:22

But make no mistake about it, this is not a replacement for trimming, but it might buy you a little more time between sessions. And finally, if your dog's anxiety is just too high and no amount of treats helps. It's perfectly okay to get professional help. Groomers, vets and even some trainers can trim nails in a low stress way and in some cases your vet might recommend sedation for truly fearful dogs. Just remember the goal isn't to force it, it's to make nail care something your dog tolerates or even looks forward to. So the slower you go, the better the long-term results.