# Help me clip my dog's claws **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 13, 2011, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837 "2011-07-13T04:45:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2011, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/21 "2011-07-17T13:22:38Z")
My German shepherd loathes having his feet messed with. So, when he needs a pedicure, I buy a pound of cheap bacon & cook it up. I crumble some of it in with his dry food, and while he’s on a snarf fest, I do as many nails as I can while he’s distracted. It’s even more hilarious in person than described. 😃 UT ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/22 "2011-07-18T15:22:20Z")
If it freaks you out that much, take your dog to a groomer or to the vet. Nail trim and a bath at one local dog spa here runs about $7-10. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/23 "2011-07-18T17:47:51Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > If it freaks you out that much, take your dog to a groomer or to the vet. Nail trim and a bath at one local dog spa here runs about $7-10. That’s what I’m going to do this round. My dog’s had it done there before, and I’ll have them train me to do it. It’ll cheer my dog up to go for a ride. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/24 "2011-07-21T05:12:43Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > That’s what I’m going to do this round. My dog’s had it done there before, and I’ll have them train me to do it. It’ll cheer my dog up to go for a ride. While you are at it have his anal glands expressed. That’s far worse than the nail clipping. It’s worth the price. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/25 "2011-07-21T14:10:06Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > While you are at it have his anal glands expressed. That’s far worse than the nail clipping. It’s worth the price. Some breeds need that done regularly; some never have a problem. My dog is a [Walker hound](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treeing_Walker_Coonhound)/Lab mix as near as I can tell, and I’ve never had to do this nor has the veterinarian. Yet cocker spaniels I have known will go motor-scooter-butt on the carpet at the drop of a hat. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/26 "2011-07-21T15:49:16Z")
I use a guillotine clipper. Get some silver nitrate sticks, you can buy them from your vet, Amazon, a feed store. That way if you do go a little short it’s a quick and easy fix. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/27 "2011-07-21T17:40:44Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > Some breeds need that done regularly; some never have a problem. My dog is a [Walker hound](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treeing_Walker_Coonhound)/Lab mix as near as I can tell, and I’ve never had to do this nor has the veterinarian. **Yet cocker spaniels I have known will go motor-scooter-butt on the carpet at the drop of a hat.** (bolding mine) what an odd thing to train the dog to do. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/28 "2011-07-21T17:59:25Z")
I do both for Simone: take her to a professional (someone other than me to take the blame) _and_ take along peanut butter. I just recently started using the peanut butter bribe to distract her, but it’s worked _really_ well so far. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/29 "2011-07-21T19:15:40Z")
I took him in to the pet shop/shelter, they clipped his claws, he cried, then he cheered up at all the other animals. Now he’s happy, I’m happy, and I’m only out $5. Next time, if he’s not being neurotic from his other problems, I’ll try again. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/30 "2011-07-21T19:30:11Z")
I sneak up on them when they are sleeping to get the dew claw. Sometimes I can get a whole paw done . ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/31 "2011-07-21T19:43:30Z")
> [@simster](#): > > (bolding mine) > what an odd thing to train the dog to do. By “motor scooter butt,” I meant that scooting motion of a dog dragging its rear end on the ground. They seem to like carpet for this. It almost always indicates the anal glands need to be emptied. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/32 "2011-07-21T21:00:03Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > By “motor scooter butt,” I meant that scooting motion of a dog dragging its rear end on the ground. They seem to like carpet for this. It almost always indicates the anal glands need to be emptied. Yes, but how did you get her to do it by dropping your hat? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/33 "2011-07-21T21:39:05Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Yes, but how did you get her to do it by dropping your hat? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/34 "2011-07-22T18:39:26Z")
A lot has to do with your attitude. Don’t make a big production out of it. Have your tools ready and then wait for the dog to approach you. Once they’re relaxed, THEN you start. My friend has a chihuahua. One day she told me that she needed her nails clipped but that the dog tried to bite her every time she tried. I asked her to get the nail clipper for me. I picked up the dog, sat her on my lap, and clipped away while the dog just sat there. We have an understanding: I am the boss and that’s that. Now I trim her nails every time I go over and the dog still loves me best. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/35 "2011-07-22T20:20:50Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > A lot has to do with your attitude. Don’t make a big production out of it. Have your tools ready and then wait for the dog to approach you. Once they’re relaxed, THEN you start. > > My friend has a chihuahua. One day she told me that she needed her nails clipped but that the dog tried to bite her every time she tried. I asked her to get the nail clipper for me. I picked up the dog, sat her on my lap, and clipped away while the dog just sat there. We have an understanding: I am the boss and that’s that. > > Now I trim her nails every time I go over and the dog still loves me best. Seems your friend is the real boss in this situation, she trained you in only one try. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/36 "2011-07-23T02:37:06Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Seems your friend is the real boss in this situation, she trained you in only one try. 🙂 Yes, but she’s an incredible cook so it’s a win-win. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837/37 "2011-07-24T04:01:16Z")
Guillotine clipper with guard, two people (one to hold the dog; one to clip), and a Greenie covered with peanut butter. I also have styptic on hand to stanch a bleeder when I clip a little to close. It happens from time to time. We all get over it although I prefer to avoid it. My dog doesn’t enjoy getting his nails clipped, but he puts up…mostly for me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-clip-my-dogs-claws/588837.md?page=1)