Nail advice for new dog owner

[Anonymous]

Dog really resists getting nails cut. I’ve tried electric and manual clippers. How do people handle this? I know that professional grooming is an option but this seems like something I should be able to do. Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

We use a Dremel. When we first started it was a two person job and we’d only do a nail or two then lots of treats. Now it’s no big deal.

[Anonymous]

I just take mine to the vet and they do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just take mine to the vet and they do it.

+1

[Anonymous]

I'm the OP of the hit the quick post. Our vet's office does it when it coincides with appointments. I'm guessing we could stop in other times to have it done but it's not nearby.
Otherwise we had gone to Petco. I'm re-evaluating the Petco experience though it is easy and inexpensive ($10). Our vet charges 3x as much. Puppy's nails are black and I get nervous with the thought of trying to do it myself.

[Anonymous]

Then Dremel. You don’t risk hitting the quick with that.

[Anonymous]

I’m a first time dog owner and I’ve been using a Dremel to grind my dog’s nails. He’s less and less cooperative. Only doing one or two nails at a time helps. When I’m desperate, I spread some peanut butter on a textured lick mat and he gets that in exchange for allowing me to do his nails.

[Anonymous]

We had to work up to it.
Pretend to cut the nail, then treat.
Cut a matchstick near the nail, then treat.
Actually cut a nail, then treat.

Now I can do one foot, and then a treat. I have to use really high-quality treats. Like a piece of ham. He still hates it.

[Anonymous]

I have had 3 dogs now and never clipped their nails. My vet told me when I adopted my first dog that if you walk them on asphalt/concrete regularly they will naturally stay ground down. Clipping nails is a marketing ploy and another way for them to make money.