My three year old dog kate is terrified of having her nails clipped! We try to do it at home. She is terrified of the vet and it take days for her to recover from a trip. I need help! Any suggestions?

Thanks!

This is good advice! I did this with a rescued Basset Hound who was so terrified, she actually began screaming when she saw the nail clippers come out.

Make sure the treats are the best and reserved only for nail-clipping. In my dog's case, she got one nail clipped, then got a salmon-flavored cat treat. I'm not sure she really liked them but just knowing she was getting one of the cat's treats put her into rhapsodies of delight.

I did one nail per night at the same time every night. If I forgot, she'd go sit under the lamp I used and glare at me until I got the message that she wanted her nail done -- NOW! 

Hi. That's good advice above - speaking to your pet in a gentle manner to let them know that everything is okay.

One thing I've noticed about pet nail trimmers is that they are big, intimidating, and make a loud sound when used. Additionally, they quickly become dull and tend to split the nails easily. I've moved over to standard "human" nail trimmers, and they work perfectly. They are smaller objects, don't make much noise, retain they're sharp edges, etc. You've got to cut little by little, but it's worth it.

Additionally, it really helps to take them on long walks previous to the event!

When you are doing the "baby step" process to get them more comfortable with getting their nails clipped just touch their nails with the clippers so they are used to the sound and touch of it.  After they are used to this, then clip one a day.

My daughters dobe used to lay on her side, with the treat resting on her rib cage, while her nails were clipped.  She was exceptionally patient with the process!!  Wish they were all like that.

i LOVE the dremmel when doing nails. i've tried the clippers but the dogs just hate the 'click' noise it made. the dremmel-even with a grinding sound-they all seem to like it much better.

for younger dogs i would have another person help...stand the dog and if needed, wrap a towel around itself (like you would if you were going to 'whip' it) and then wrap that around the neck of the dog...it secures their head and muffles the noise a little...

my two older dogs will see me get the grinder out -i sit down on the floor and the dogs run to lay down between my legs to have their toes done. i roll them on to thier back and they just lay there.

with grinders/dremmels you DO have to be careful-the wheel does get extremely warm if let too long in one area...so be careful

I have a chihuahua that is the same way. I do not know if this will work but try to do it very carefully when she is asleep. If they does not help I take my dog to PETCO to have hers done. I can stay right there with her and she is really good and still when a stranger does it. I do not know what I will do when she gets used to the people at PETCO. I guess I will have to keep switching groomers every time she gets used to one.

Im pretty lucky with cutting Jakes nails - I started doing it when he was a young puppy - I would start sitting on the floor rubbing his paws with the dog clippers in hand - and I still do it today that way - he lets me cut about one paw at a time - he'll get up (thinking he's done...) then run around come and sit beside me again and I get to cut the other paw - and so on till all 4 are done.. I have alwasy rewarded him after they are all done - so its been a pretty easy process for me - and the best part is he is a yellow lab and has clear nails - so its very easy to see the quick and I never have cut that (thank goodness  ) but I think if you make a play time out of it and start very early not when they are older it really helps..and rewarding is great.....I have a good friend how got her dog use to laying on her back with her paws up inthe air - it worked for her!!