Mary Allen
Nail clipping is important and doesn’t hurt – if you do it right. But many dogs are terrified of the procedure. What to do?
Like our fingernails, dog claws constantly grow back and most dogs have to be trimmed regularly. Because claws that are too long tend to tear, among other things. They can impede walking, painfully press into the ball of your foot and even lead to poor posture in the long term.
How often you have to shorten depends entirely on the individual dog’s claw growth and how much it is used. If he walks a lot on asphalt and other hard surfaces, the claws – with the exception of the wolf claws on the inside of the hind legs, which have no contact with the ground – wear out all by themselves; stronger than in the conspecific, which mainly runs on soft forest and meadow paths or is not very active. The claws are too long when they touch the ground. You can tell when the dog is standing or sitting or by the clicking noise when it walks over tiles or parquet.
In order to avoid injuries, it is essential to use nail clippers, clippers, a file or grinding machine specially designed for dogs, work with a steady hand, and be in good light. So that you don’t cut into the blood-supplied area, which is difficult to see, especially with dark claws, the claw is also shortened straight and always in tiny stages. With a relaxed dog, clipping the claws is no great art. If he fights back, however, the care ritual becomes torture for everyone involved.
Ticklish or Not Used to It
A problem that many dog owners struggle with, according to Lisa Leicht, Tellington TTouch instructor from Münsingen BE. “There are many different reasons why a dog doesn’t like having its claws clipped or even having its paws touched. Some just haven’t been used to it gently enough, others associate touching the paws with an uncomfortable or painful experience.”
This can, but does not necessarily have to be directly linked to the cutting of claws. “The reflex to pull your paws away can arise when you just want to dry the dog’s paws after the walk and act a little rough in a hurry,” says Leicht. Older dogs sometimes have painful arthrosis in their toes and are therefore particularly sensitive. Other four-legged friends are simply ticklish on the pads. “That’s also a sign of tension,” says Leicht.
If nail trimming is a problem at home, it sometimes helps to delegate the job to a professional such as a veterinarian or groomer. However, prior desensitization at home is certainly advisable.
Lisa Leicht advises that you should take the time for relaxing and confidence-inspiring caresses. The dog must first learn to be touched all over the legs and paws. This is not only useful for clipping claws but also extremely useful in many other situations – for example, if the dog has injured itself.
It is best to start in a quiet environment and at a moment when the dog is already relaxed – for example after a nice walk. Then you gently stroke the dog’s legs – from the shoulders to the paws.
Those who are familiar with the “TTouches” according to the Linda Tellington method or want to try them out can do the “lying leopard” (circular movements with flat hand) on the shoulder and the “python lifter” (skin gently upwards) on the legs push, hold there for a moment and then slowly lower back down). The “raccoon touches” are recommended for the paws, which are supposed to help against pain and tension. These involve moving the skin around in tiny circles with flexed fingertips at an angle of about 90 degrees and minimal pressure.
Pliers or Files?
If the dog pulls its paw away, you should definitely not hold it, but rather follow it gently with your paw. “If the dog is very afraid of you grabbing its paw, you can start by gently touching it with the back of your hand or with a piece of fleece or lambskin,” says Leicht. The first sessions are about building trust. The dog should understand that he has a choice.
It is important to adjust the pace of the dog. You should also make sure that your arms are relaxed and your breathing is calm. “Breathing too fast is perceived by the dog as nervousness, and it often automatically makes your hands hard.”
Touching the Legs and Paws in Preparation
If the dog enjoys being touched on its legs and paws, you can gently tap its claws with your fingernails, advises Leicht. “This is a good preparatory exercise for the actual clipping of the claws.” The claw clipper or file should be made palatable to the dog in the truest sense of the word by letting it sniff it and rewarding it with treats.
If the dog has had a bad experience with the pliers, it can be helpful to switch to the file and vice versa. “In general, I would rather recommend using a special file or a claw grinder, as you inevitably work much more slowly with these devices,” says Lisa Leicht. This minimizes the risk of cutting off too much and injuring the blood vessels.