My dog is terrified of getting his nails cut - Help?

Question

I am sorry this is very long, but I need help. I have a large breed dog ( St. Bernard / Gr. Dane/ Pitt Mix) that weighs approximately 115 pounds. I have had him since he was a puppy.

I recently moved to a new state, away from my parents 98 acre wooded lot into an apartment. At my parents home, my dog was able to run free outdoors for hours at a time, now he is confined indoors (I hate it but it is temporary) and only goes outdoors by leash and only gets to run when we take him. I know this is not an ideal situation, but it is temporary until we purchase our own home in the nest few months.

When he was outdoors all the time, his nails naturally were kept short. Now, they are growing very fast. The problem is he will not let me, nor anyone, else cut his nails. The mere sight of the clippers causes him to hide under the bed. He has never had the quick cut that I am aware of. I took him to the groomers a few months ago and it took 5 people to hold him down long enough to get his toes done. I tried again two weeks again and there was no way. He pulls his paw away and squirms non stop. They gave up.

He does not get aggressive. He does not bark or growl or nip. He yelps as if being tortured, pulls his ears back, and tucks his tail.

I need some suggestions. His nails are VERY long and they need to be trimmed for his own sake. What can I do to make this a less traumatic experience for him? How can I cut his nails? I do not understand why he is so afraid.

Answer 1

As you cut his nails, have a calm voice and talk to him telling him everything is okay.  My dog has the same problem but she's getting better.  Let your dog smell the clippers, I tried that with my dog and it helped her.

Answer 2

HI

Good question BTW, see and hear it alot. I would bet what has happened to your dog, is that someone cut his nails, and cut into the quick and hurt him. Think of it as cutting your finger nails and cutting to deep into the quick. Same pain, but dogs will hold that memory forever. Very difficult to fix also. BUT that said, and keep in mind this is not a quick fix, start doing this, using a smal nail grinder or drumel tool if yo have one. First of all, start it up and with your dog laying next to you, just hold it close to him. Do this for awhile to get him used to it, all the while while holding or rubbing his paw. After he gets used to this, and it may take days, move the tool closer, and see if he minds. If not, keep moving it closer and closer. The second he starts getting nervious, back off. Eventually you will get to the point where you can lay the tool (running of course) on his paw, once he becomes trusting of that, then touch it to his nail, very gently. Watch his reaction closely though and STOP when he gets nervous. Keep ding this untill you can very gently grind down his nail. Like I said, this is not a quick fix. Or you can do like I do and just cut his nails while he is sleeping. I have 3 dogs and that is how I do it ;>). BUT I have had to use the other techinque on another dog I worked with also

Hope this helps

Bob

Answer 3

try the nurse at the vet, they can normally cope with these kind of situations better than the groomer.

Answer 4

A professional groomer can handle this quite easily.  

Have you seen the informercial about the device that's basically a high-speed rotating emery board for dog/cat claws?  I would love to know if this actually works!  One of my dogs hates getting his nails clipped too and just shakes and shakes.... pitiful!

Answer 5

well every time you get the clippers out give him chicken or a dog treat

dont cut his nails right away evrytime he lets you get closer to him with the clippers praise him or give him a treat if he gets to nervouse then end it for the day dont rush things also you can try doing the same thing except with nail fillers i herd they are less painfull and will not brake the QUICK also maybe he has a problem with his paws being touched try touching his paws and everytime he lets you give him a treat.hope a helped.

Answer 6

If your Saint Bernard's nail grows that fast...then taking it to the vet will waste your money.  But why waste your money? If you use a regular dog nail cutter, I suggest getting a comfortable easy use dog nail trimmer, like pedi paws (visit their site).  This product will make it alot easier on you and your dog.  http://www.pedipaws.com/

Answer 7

take him to  the vet or  as you cut his nails praise him and give him treats so that he can relax.  it worked with my dog

Answer 8

Most dogs don't like having their feet fiddled with. You need to do some slow conditioning. Start by stroking down his legs when petting him...then to the top of his feet... then to the pads. This could take days or weeks before he accepts this as normal. After he lets you play with them, introduce the clippers slowly and quietly.This can be done, but it takes time.

Another option is to put a towel over his head before you start so he can't see it coming and freak out.

Have you tried letting a groomer do it? Dogs are like kids. They are always better for someone other than their parents!

I feel bad for you, I have a 20 pound pug who hates having his nails done. I can't imagine 115 pounds of I DON'T THINK SO!

Good luck!

Answer 9

I have a Doxie just like this.  She squirms and squeals like she was being killed.  Even my vet will not attempt it, for fear of her throwing her back out.  The only way is for a quick heavy sedation, and a quick wake up.  I hate to do it to her, but it is the only safe way.

Answer 10

Their feet are naturally ticklish. Add to that the clippers hurt... especially the guillotine style clippers. Have you considered taking him to petsmart or the vet and having them filed down with a dremel tool? Totally painless if done correctly, and many dogs that hate clippers accept the dremel much easier... without being wrestled and hogtied.

Answer 11

I've had dogs who act up the same way - like they're being killed or tortured.  I'm afraid you just have to ignore him and persist or he's going to keep on acting like this because he's learned that when he does, you quit.  That's what he wants and you're giving in to him.

I don't know the best way to tackle this because I can't see your dog.  I think having people holding him down is going to make him worse, but if you need to do it that way, do it.  Or you can try doing it yourself when he's tired.  At first, get him used to you handling his feet, then pretend to clip his nails while holding the clippers close to his feet.  

When he's pretty calm about that, take off just the tips of his nails.  Take your time, do a couple of nails, praise him, talk to him, be matter-of-fact, don't baby him, but get on with it calmly.  He should be calmer with you that at the groomers because he'd be stressed there to begin with and they're strangers to him - not someone he trusts.

If you need help, make it someone he knows and everyone needs to be very calm.  You don't need to get all his feet done at once.  If he lets you do 2, let him up and praise him and do the rest the next day.  

He'll get better, but he has to realize you're going to win this battle.

Answer 12

take him and let the vet do it. they can sedate him and trim them down quite far.

Answer 13

Ya know I had a pug that would do this. I felt like the evil stepmonster but I couldn't even be in the vet's office when they trimmed his nails. I would suggest the same as the others here, see if your vet will sedate him for his trims.  

Answer 14

Hello.

I understand what you are experiencing even though my dog is very small.

What i did with my dog is got the nail clippers out now and again and just talked happily to him showing him the nail clippers, making him see they wont cause him any pain.

If you're dog reacts better to treats then use treats or if toys use toys. What you do with the treats/toys is just every time you get the nail clippers out give him a new toy/treat or play with him. Then gradually try to put the nail clipper near his nails and keep saying Good boy! Good dog and give him a treat or toy and pet him. Then the next day try to actually cut his nails and keep supporting him.

Hope this helps!

x*x