I swore I’d master brushing teeth and trimming nails when we adopted our puppy, Oakley. While I’ve made progress cleaning his pearly whites, his claws remain a challenge. Nothing transforms “O” from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde faster than nail clippers. The moment he sees the instrument of terror, the trauma begins—for both of us.

Understanding a dog’s toenail anatomy helps explain their fear. Nestled inside that hard outer shell is the quick, a bundle of soft tissue containing blood vessels and highly sensitive nerves. If your dog’s nails are clear or light in color, you can probably see it. Accidentally cutting the quick is painful and causes bleeding, making pet owners (like me) feel like total schmucks. 

Patience and persistence are key to getting a pet comfortable with toenail trims. Keeping your dog relaxed, using treats as rewards and proceeding slowly—sometimes one nail at a time—can help. Several dog owners I know have asked their veterinarian or a groomer to demonstrate the proper way to trim nails safely.

Having the right tools is also a must. Never use human nail clippers on your dog. 

While I’m skittish and clumsy with traditional clippers, I’ve had success using a Dremel on previous pooches. This rotary tool is easy to handle, portable and requires little maintenance—just the occasional battery or sanding band replacement. Like nail clippers, it takes time for a dog to get used to the sound and sensation, but I find grinding a dog’s nails oddly satisfying. Plus, I feel more in control and less likely to nick the quick.

My sister’s dog, Arthur, is extremely fearful. She—and her vet—have tried various ways to trim his nails, but the only method that works is during his annual dental cleaning under anesthesia. 

Recently, she bought a grooming hammock, which, in online photos, looks simple: The dog nestles into a sling while their legs dangle through four holes, keeping fingers and faces at a safe distance from snapping jaws. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find a bar sturdy enough to support her 22-pound boy, so that plan was scrapped.

A neighbor suggested a trick she saw on TikTok:

“Put Saran wrap around your head and smear it with peanut butter,” she advised. 

Theoretically, your dog will be so distracted licking the treat-smeared turban that they won’t notice their nails being clipped. 

Overgrown nails can cause serious problems, from pain and infection when nails grow into the pads to mobility and stability issues when toes can’t touch the ground properly.

Like many of you, I’m still searching for the best solution. Short of steak-flavored nail polish or installing emery board flooring, there’s probably no easy way to groom Oakley’s nails. I’ll let you know if I find something that works. 

Do you have a trick to share with Marti and our readers? Email us!

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