I need advice on clipping my puppy's nails. I'm very inexpereinced at clipping nails since my past dogs just wore them down and didn't require clipping.

I clipped Hans' nails today under much struggle and protest. It wasn't fun for either of us. He even released an odor that I couldn't identify. It wasn't poop or pee. Maybe anal sack stuff? Whatever it was, it smelled bad and was released under much stress.

I don't want this part of grooming to be so stressful and stinky. I welcome any advice for making nail trimming less stressful for both of us!

Yes, that sounds very stressful, and like he expressed his anal glands.

What I do with paw-anxiety (very very common) is to feel up the dog regularly.

I massage and pet the dog often, at first just glossing ever so lightly over the paws, and only gradually handling them gently.

I also do one claw at a time during this process. Even one a day. Why not? And I have a superior wonderful treat, giving the dog half and having the other half in clear view while I do that one claw, and the minute it's done saying "Good dog!" and giving the remainder of the stupendous treat instantly.

This makes the stress very very short and associates claw work with treats that never appear any other way, all the while you are desensitizing him to paw-handling.

This may sound like it wouldnt help, but with my dog that hates his nails clipped or dremmeled its less of a fight if I don't grip his foot too tight. I just spent the last couple of hours on three dogs and grooming and all of them have one thing they resist.

If you have someone who will help you, have them hold the treat and let him nibble on it while you clip in the beginning and then work towards rewarding him like Connie is saying. Just another training thing.

If you are not comfortable doing the nails the dog will not be either. Confidence is very important in a situation like this and never should be done when the dog is protesting and you should never give in and let go because of the stuggling. Do not talk at all during the tantrum or praise when doing the trimming. First practice handling the feet with out resistance and train the dog to stay calm and relaxed when doing so. Move slow and confident and stop but dont let go when you feel tension from the dog and wait . You must stay relaxed and dont be tense at all. The dog will mirror yor energy and you will get what you give. another person to help will only work if they can hold without tension and never move forwrad until the dog is relaxed. you have to stop and wait but dont give up or give in

If you approach it with hesitation and expect a fight then that is what you will get. Instead be confident and determined and do not give your dog any other choice never end it unless the dog is calm and relaxed and reward with a massage and a treat

It's not thaat I'm uncomfortable with clipping nails, I'm just inexperienced...

Hey, what do you guys think about taking the marker training approach to training him to put up with nail clipping? Like, hold foot, mark, treat- hold foot and clippers, mark, treat- hold clippers to foot, mark treat- hold clippers to nail, mark, treat... and so on?

Also, to those of you who use a dremmel- Does Dremmel make a tool for grinding pet nails? Are you just using a regular Dremmel tool? Are you using "dremmel" generically like "kleenex"?

I do use an ordinary Dremel, from the hardware store, with a cord.

I started out several years ago with one of the batter-powered ones, designed for dog nails, but it really didn't have enough power to be worth anything, and ate batteries like crazy.

I haven't tried one of the newer "pedi-paws" or whatever they call them. I vote for just getting an ordinary Dremel. You may already have one. Use the sanding drum attachment, with a medium grit sanding sleeve.

Your marker idea is the right idea. You could start with the Dremel off. just lay it near the pup, when he shows interest in it (or no fear) treat. Then you can try touching the tip of it to a nail (still not turned on) and treat. Then turn it on (not touching the dog) treat. Slow desensitization to it.

I'm a fan of the Dremel, and of doing it often. I do it weekly. That way, you don't have to take off much--literally one second on each nail. Like any grooming ritual, start early and do it often.

I do already have a regular Dremel tool for my work and hobbies. You say you use a drum sander? Cool. I've got those. I think with markers and patience, I can keep this pup's nails trimmed up!

Here's a link to how this one person does it. This would really work well on a table. http://www.vomlowenherzigrottweilers.com/dremel.html

Thanks Steve, that was a very helpful link!

Indeed! Dawn's, detailed description is very nice for a newbie like me. I just wish more of the images had shown up. Seems like that page might be old and missing some of the resources.