Conditioning Comfortable Nail Clipping

There are many ways up the “clipping your dog’s nails” mountain. The process outlined here focuses on getting your dog comfortable with having their paws held, manipulated and then clipping their nails.

TOOLS

• Nail Clippers

• Leash

• Daily Meal

SET UP

Have your dog dressed in the appropriate tools - this may include a muzzle for safety.

Use your dog’s daily meal; you want them to have food drive

Take your time and work through each phase until your dog is comfortable before moving on. The amount of time spent at each step heavily depends on your relationship with your dog and where you are in your training journey.

PHASE 1 - Condition dog to give you their paw & let you hold it

Goal - Dog is comfortable and relaxed when paw is in your hand and manipulated

1. Touch dog’s paw. Say “Yes”. Reward/ Feed - Repeat until willingly giving paw

2. Gradually increase the time you hold the paw - start with 2-3 seconds (“Yes” & Pay) - Repeat until able to hold for at least 10 seconds

3. Squeeze each toe (“Yes” & Pay) - Repeat until dog is comfortable with toes being squeezed

4. For long haired dogs, push hair back one each toe (“Yes” & Pay) - Repeat until dog is comfortable with hair being moved back on toes

Repeat for each paw

** Spend as much time as needed in this phase**

PHASE 2 - Introduce Clippers/ Tap Nails

Goal - Clippers = Food

1. Hold clippers behind back. Show clippers to dog. Let dog check out clippers. Say “Yes”. Reward/Feed

2. Repeat about 10 times.

3. Hold paw. Move clippers towards toes. (“Yes” & Pay)

4. Repeat until dog relaxed and not flinching

5. Hold paw. Tap toe with clippers. (“Yes” & Pay)

6. Repeat until dog relaxed and not flinching

7. Repeat for each paw

PHASE 3 - Clip a nail

Goal - Nail trims = Jackpot!!

1. Hold paw. Tap nail with clippers. “Yes” & Pay. Clip a nail. Jackpot your dog! A lot of food, add treats.

2. Repeat, randomly tapping, snipping, paying & jackpotting - tap, tap snip, pay - tap, tap, tap, snip, jackpot - tap, tap, snip, jackpot

Patience and Consistency is key!

This process can take a few weeks or longer for some cases. Take the time to make sure your dog is fully compliant before moving to the next step or phase.

Take a deep breath - You got this!