Trimming Pet Nails
The Anti-Cruelty Society recognizes that one of the most common reasons that pets are relinquished to animal shelters is behavior problems. ACS is also committed to helping the public develop and maintain healthy and loving relationships with their pets. The Department of Animal Behavior and Training offers two resources to help reach this end: a behavior hotline and dog training classes.
PET BEHAVIOR & TRAINING TIPS!:
Trimming your pet's nails is important to his health and well-being. This isn't always an easy task, though. To help your pet accept having his nails trimmed, follow these steps:
- touch a paw and give a treat (if your pet isn't treat-motivated, use his favorite toy instead); do this several times, then...
- hold a paw and give a treat; do this several times, then...
- repeat the above two steps while holding clippers in the other hand; do this several times, then...
- touch the clippers to a toe and give a treat; do this several times, then...
- clip a nail and give three or four treats. If your pet is relaxed, clip another nail or two and then call it a day. Otherwise, wait until the next day and clip one more nail. The following day, clip two nails. Eventually you will be able to clip all nails in one sitting - without wrestling with and swearing at your pet!
Ask your veterinarian or groomer for a demonstration of proper nail-cutting techniques.