Anyone who has ever raised a puppy knows: puppies grow like weeds. And nothing grows as fast as your new friend’s nails. Just like with humans, your pup’s nails will need to be trimmed regularly. Trimming a puppy’s nails, however, can be trickier than it seems. Your pup might find it a bit scary, or he may just be very impatient. After all, there are so many more fun things to do than having your nails trimmed! So, for all impatient puppy parents: 8 tips for trimming your pup’s nails!
Table of Contents
Puppy training: tips for trimming a puppy’s nails
- Prepare yourself
- Choose the right moment
- Find a comfortable position
- Puppy nail trimming: reward, reward, reward
- Stay calm
- Trim well before the quick
- Don’t forget the dewclaw
- Check your work afterwards
Trimming your dog’s nails: what if it doesn’t work?
Why do I need to trim my puppy’s nails?
Many dog owners don’t really know why they should trim their dog’s nails in the first place. Won’t they just wear down while walking? No. When your pup’s nails touch the ground, they’re already too long. Once the nails touch the ground, pressure is placed on them, which can become painful over time. Your puppy may start to walk stiffly or even limp if he walks too long with overgrown nails. On top of that, your puppy’s toes can become inflamed. So keep a close eye on those nails and trim them regularly, because this is also an essential part ofraising a puppy.
When should I trim my puppy’s nails?
There is no fixed schedule for trimming your dog’s nails. You simply trim them when they are too long. Not sure whether your puppy’s nails are too long? Try sliding a sheet of paper under the nails. Can you do this without resistance? Then they are still short enough. If not, it’s time to trim your puppy’s nails. Keep in mind: this rule of thumb works less well for older dogs, as adult dogs’ paws sit a bit lower to the ground than puppies’ paws. For (larger) adult dogs, the nails will also need trimming less often, because they do wear down on hard surfaces.
Trimming or filing?
Some people use a sanding device (a Dremel) to file their dog’s nails instead of trimming them. We recommend trimming your pup’s nails rather than filing them. When you file your dog’s nails, there is a chance they will split. This is especially true because puppies’ nails are more delicate than those of adult dogs. A dog nail file is great, however, for smoothing out any sharp edges after trimming.
Puppy training: tips for trimming a puppy’s nails
1. Prepare yourself
Some puppies find it very unpleasant or even a little scary to have their nails trimmed. Others are super impatient and can’t wait to go exploring again. So the rule is: prepare well. Decide in advance what you’ll need, where you’ll sit, and how you’ll go about it. Lay out your “tools” and check everything before you get started. The last thing you want is to have to walk away halfway through to grab something.
What do you need?
- Lots of tasty treats
- A dog nail clipper
- Styptic powder
- Optional: a dog nail file
- Optional: a blanket or cushion
Discover our cozy blankets for your little one
2. Choose the right moment
We want your puppy to behave well while you trim his nails. You can help him by choosing the right moment to start. Times when your pup is very hyper, fast asleep, or has just experienced something exciting are not ideal. Choosing those moments can turn nail trimming into a game, something very annoying, or even something truly scary. Instead, choose a moment when your pup is alert and ready to do something with you, but not yet fully in play mode.
3. Find a comfortable position
The last thing we want is for nail trimming to become a stressful activity for either you or your pup. So find a spot where both of you can sit comfortably. If you’re sitting on a chair and your pup is dangling halfway over your arm, he’s probably not very comfortable. If he’s in his bed and you have to bend over him, you won’t be comfortable. So sit together on the couch, or sit on the floor with your pup in front of you or in your lap. If you like, you can use a cushion or blanket. Are you both comfortable and able to reach all of your puppy’s paws? Then you’re ready to start trimming.
4. Puppy nail trimming: reward, reward, reward
Is nail trimming boring? No way! Nail trimming is a fun activity where your pup gets to sit close to you and earns lots of treats. When can we do it again?
We want your pup to build a positive association with the nail clipper and the whole trimming process. That’s the only way to make nail trimming less scary or unpleasant for a puppy. How do we do that? Step by step.
Stap 1.
Show your pup the nail clipper -> reward
Stap 2.
Let your pup sniff the nail clipper -> reward
Stap 3.
Touch your puppy’s paw with the nail clipper -> reward
Stap 4.
Touch your puppy’s paw with your hand -> reward
Stap 5.
Briefly lift your pup’s paw -> reward
Stap 6.
Lift your puppy’s paw for a little longer and show the nail clipper again -> reward
Stap 7.
Trim a small piece of nail -> big reward.
If your puppy shows stress or fear at any step, simply go back one step.
5. Stay calm!
Of course you want to finish trimming your puppy’s nails quickly, especially if he finds it a bit scary. But it’s very important not to rush or get stressed yourself. Your pup will immediately sense that something is wrong and will find it even more frightening. And when you rush, you’re more likely to cut in the wrong place and hit the quick (see the next tip). So stay calm and relaxed. Is it taking a bit too long for your pup? No problem: trim two paws now and the other two later. The last thing we want is for nail trimming to cause your little rascal stress or anxiety.
6. Trim well before the quick
This might sound like a wise saying, but it’s actually very practical advice for trimming dog nails. The “quick” is the sensitive, living tissue inside the nail. Cutting into it is very painful for your pup. A painful nail-trimming experience at a young age can leave your friend scared of nail clippers for life. So always trim well before the quick when working with puppies.
On white nails, the quick is usually easy to see: it’s the pink part. On black nails, unfortunately, you often can’t see the quick. For pups with dark nails, it’s best to trim small bits at a time. As soon as you see a darker spot in the nail, the quick is getting closer, and it’s time to stop
If you accidentally cut into the quick, stop the bleeding with styptic powder. Don’t panic; this can happen to anyone. In that case, it’s important to start over next time with building a positive association (see tip 4)
7. Don’t forget the dewclaw
Because it doesn’t touch the ground like the other nails, the dewclaw is often skipped during a trim. But the dewclaw can also grow quite long and even extend into the leg skin. It can also form a nasty hook that gets caught on blankets and other things.
8. Check your work afterwards
All done? All nails, including the dewclaw, neatly trimmed well before the quick? Great. Now take another look at the nails and check for sharp corners or edges. You can file these away if needed. Also check your pup’s paw pads; there should be no cracks. Then place your pup on the ground and see whether the nails are roughly the same length. Try the paper trick again: can you slide a piece of paper under your pup’s nails without resistance? Then you’re completely done. Time for one last reward (for you as well)
Trimming your dog’s nails: what if it doesn’t work?
Sometimes it just doesn’t work to trim your dog’s or puppy’s nails yourself. Maybe you feel nervous, your dog doesn’t cooperate, or your pup still finds it very scary despite all the tips above. In these cases, it can be wise to seek professional help. Professional groomers are specially trained to trim dogs’ nails. They often have a specific approach for puppies and anxious dogs. Your vet can also trim your dog’s nails during a consultation. For extremely anxious dogs, the vet can use a calming medication or even a light sedation.
Sources: “Trimming a Puppy’s Nails | 8 Tips with Additional Explanations”
– Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy, Steve Mann
– Vakvereniging gediplomeerde hondentrimmers
– Doggo.nl
Written by: Jori Noordenbos
I’m Denise, the founder of Pawness. The company was born out of my love for my dog, Bo, and my search for fair, beautiful products for dogs. I believe that every choice matters: for your dog, for the planet, and for the people behind the products. Through these blogs, I help puppy parents make more conscious choices—without making it complicated.
