We are in month 4 of de-sensitizing, heavily rewarding calm behavior regarding being handled, and I have been doing the paw/nail de-sensitizing since day one and the clipper desensitizing since he was 16 weeks.

As they engage in scratching, they become accustomed to having their paws touched, which can make future nail trimming sessions more comfortable for them.Positive Association: By introducing your dog to a scratch pad and encouraging them to use it regularly, you can create positive associations with paw handling and nail care. Stress Relief: Scratch squares offer a satisfying scratching experience for dogs, which can help alleviate stress and anxiety associated with nail trimming. From understanding their natural instincts to choosing the right scratch square and incorporating it into your dog’s routine, we’ve got you covered.

By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Second question: is there anything else I could be doing to help get him to be OK with his nails being clipped? Some dogs may respond well to scratch squares, while others may prefer traditional methods like clipping or grinding.With three distinct functions: Stimulates play, trims nails, and rewards; Scratch Square can reduce the frequency of nail clipping and for some pet completely resolve the need to have their nails trimmed! Thirdly: if there is absolutely nothing different I can do to get him to be OK with his nails being trimmed, is a daily walk on the sidewalk/road enough to keep his nails from getting long enough that they effect how he walks? My trainer and my vet both told me that dogs nails shouldn't be long enough to touch the ground because it can affect how their paw interacts with the ground, but then my groomer today told me it's not a big deal. So, silly me, thought that maybe he would do better with a professional, since he is OK with his paws being held but just needs to be distracted when they actually clip the nail. Share your experiences with us in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this guide with other dog owners.

By rewarding them for using the scratch square, you’ll create positive associations and make it their go-to spot for scratching. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience.

of which I accidentally got the quick (he has a mix of black and white nails, and it was the black nails I nipped the quick on both times). Scratch pads are primarily designed for satisfying a dog’s natural scratching instinct and providing an outlet for their energy. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Dogs can be sensitive about their paws and may exhibit fear, resistance, or even aggression when it comes to nail trimming. Stability, durability, and ease of maintenance are crucial features to look for in a scratch square.