Don't clip past the quick
I’ve mentioned my Irish Setter, Molly in the past. I got her when she was six from an Irish Setter rescue group, and she came with many issues. When I first got her, and tried to trim her toenails, it was a disaster. She wouldn’t let me touch her feet at all! She’d go hide under the table or in a corner and look so sad…So we had to go slow, as her nails needed some definite help.
I started with just leaving the dog nail clippers out around the house; on her bed, on the couch, near her food bowls. After she got used to them being around, I started to pet her when I had the nail clippers in my hand. This made her real nervous at first, so we also used lots of treats.
Once she was calmed down having the clippers around her body, I started playing with her paws and the clippers. Always with LOTS of treats and praise. We had to do this just a little at a time. I did lots of calm, soothing stroking so she’d settle down and not be nervous. After awhile, I started in with some clipping. Just the tip, a teensy tiny bit; so little she could barely tell I did it! Just a couple at a time, or what she seemed comfortable with.
We continued like this until she would let me really clip nails, though I never pushed her or made her feel uncomfortable. I was always very careful to not cut too far back, and hit the quick. It took a lot of time and patience, but in the end it was worth it.
Molly the rescue Irish Setter
After about 3 months of conditioning, when I would get out the nail clippers, and “clip” them in the air anywhere in Molly’s direction, she would immediately lay down on the floor, paws extended. She would lie there patiently, the perfect dog! It would be hard to imagine just a few months before that she would hide under a table when she saw the clippers coming.
It definitely takes patience, and time for some dogs. It’s best if you can start when they are puppies, but not all dogs come as a puppy! I know lots of owners who are afraid to cut their dog’s nails, and I feel badly for those dogs. It’s really so simple, and so important. Imagine walking around without cutting your toenails! If your dog will let you handle their feet, try just taking off a tiny bit of the nail. Do a few, then give some treats. Keep it up! Do it every day, or once a week. Before you know it, everybody will love getting their nails trimmed and be happier for it.
TIP: Be sure you have proper dog nail clippers, and a sharp blade. Molly had BIG toenails, and always noticed a great deal of difference when using a new blade. Be sure to swap them out!
Other stories about Molly:
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Melissa, you definitely inspired me to give this a try! Looks like time and patience are key…perfect winter project. Thanks for the tips.
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for the great tips. I will definitely have to try this and work with Misha. I can usually get her nails clipped, but it would be great if I could get her to just be calm and let me clip her nails. Especially since I have to be extra careful since her nails are full black and it is hard to see exactly where the quick is.