Scared of Nail Clippers?

Question

When my puppy was a little younger I cut her nails all the time. Well the last 2 times I did it (was a long time ago, lol) I cut her quick. Just a little bit! Now, she won't let me get the clippers or even a file near her nail and she starts to get scared. How can I fix this problem??

Answer 1

Jen,

There IS NO SUCH thing as "just a little bit" when you cut the quick.  It's like you cannot be "just a little bit" pregnant.

Forgiveness and trust are lost for a long time when you cut the quick.  I still have to have help to cut my male pyr's nails, for the same reason.  I have someone else distract him and help hold him so I can do his nails, and the only ones I have to cut are those on his dew claws.  The rest he files down with running and digging.

It's probably been over a year.  You just have a helper and be real understanding and gentle (but firm) with him.  When I groom mine, I take out the clipper and occasionally lay it on his leg or paw as I brush and groom, in hopes that he won't see it as a threatening item.  He actually has let me take a nip 2-3 times in recent months on a nail without assistance, but usually I need help. That's just one of the hard facts of life after cutting the dog's quick.  -!-

Answer 2

Pull the nail clippers out and just sit with her but don't cut her nails, give her a little treat when she stays with you. Do this for about 5 mins three -four times a day. When you do go to clip her nails, clip one at a time then give her a treat after each one to show her that it is a good thing. After a while move up to two toes and so on. Eventually you will get to doing a whole paw with only one treat. It will also help to play with her paws on the days that you are not clipping her nails.

This is how I have had to clip my dogs paws. He is afraid of the clippers for some unknown reason. It took us years to get him to one paw=one treat. When we first started he actually ripped my sisters shirt!

Answer 3

with 2 people have 1 massage her while she is on her side and once she is relaxed take a nail file and start with the back feet make it a happy experience not scary  

Answer 4

Training.

Start by playing with her toes all the time.

Invest in some wooden matchsticks, and clip those - work on getting them as close to her paws as possible, so she can become accustomed to the sound around her paws without feeling anything.

Eventually, work in clipping the sticks, then a little bit of nail, then the sticks again.

When you do finally clip her nails, do just a little bit every week or so, so that you can do it more frequently without risking quicking her.

Answer 5

you should have taken her to a professional who wouldn't have hurt her. poor thing.

Answer 6

get the new thing called the peticure it really works

Answer 7

we have the same problem with our 2 year old retriever. my mam was trying to cut her nails, well she cut one, then when she went to cut the other one, she ended up cutting the quick, now anytime the nail clippers come out, she hides