Does anyone have a problem clipping their Sheltie's nails? Our 6 mos old goes ballastic when we try to do them. One of us trys to hold him still while the other clips, but the way Chase reacts you'd think we'll killing him. He flips out and we ususally have to bail out after only getting one cut, so it's a multi-day process to get them all trimmed. The vet said we need to make him deal with it now so it won't be an issue when he's older. I've heard using a dremel tool isn't a good idea due to the fur around the toes. Any suggestions on how to make this a less stressful event? He doesn't seem to mind having his feet touched, just does like the nails clipped.
Need help clipping nails!
- Thread starter preston
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elaine2004
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Preston
If Chase is being that difficult I would just take him to a groomer to do the nails or the vet.
They charge you 5 - 10 dollars to do the nails up my way check into it it's sometimes easier for a stranger to cut them than yourself. 
Remember they have tons of experience doing this. That's what I'd do about once every two months.
If Chase is being that difficult I would just take him to a groomer to do the nails or the vet.
They charge you 5 - 10 dollars to do the nails up my way check into it it's sometimes easier for a stranger to cut them than yourself. Remember they have tons of experience doing this. That's what I'd do about once every two months.This isn't something that can be handled over night. I too had trouble clipping my pups nails. I started by just putting her on my lap and touching her feet. Just stroking the foot with my finger. Every once in a while I would give her a tiny bite of a treat (about half the size of a pea). After a few days of feeding the treats and stroking the foot I would pick it up and hold it as I fed the treat. After she accepted my holding all four feet one at a time I brought the clippers out and stroked all four of her feet with the clipper and treated lavishly. This took me about a month to desensitize her but it was worth every minute I took to make her comfortable with my holding her foot and clipping the nail. Instead of having someone hold her when you do clip put her on a table and have that person feed her treats continuously while you clip.
mcguiregirl2248
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I really like what Sunchaser suggested since your pup is so young. One of my 3 girls doesn't like her nails clipped either but all she does is tries to pull her feet away. I have found that if I have one of the boys sit on the floor with her and cover her head with a towel and just pet her, she will sit and be perfectly still. She can't see what I'm doing so it doesn't bother her. But again since your pup is so young I would try what Sunchaser suggested. Hope it works!
graydawntreader
Forums Enthusiast
Same thing with Treader. I have to hold him down with one of my legs.
The only way I know to fix it is reward him for letting you clip his nails. Give him a treat when you are done clipping his nails. Remain calm and relaxed during the proceedure.
It's a good idea to get a dog used to having his nails clipped as a puppy.
That's all that I can say.
The only way I know to fix it is reward him for letting you clip his nails. Give him a treat when you are done clipping his nails. Remain calm and relaxed during the proceedure.
It's a good idea to get a dog used to having his nails clipped as a puppy.
That's all that I can say.
OntarioSheltie
Forums Celebrity
A treat for each toe
I trained Sadie and my parents shetlie Milo to let me trim their toes. I did more or less what Sunchaser said, gradually getting them used to their paws and nails being handled and having the clipper around so that they don't think it will kill them.
The next hurdle was that the clipper pulled a bit and made a noise (I have guillotine type clippers), which they both didn't like. I started rewarding them after each nail and acting REALLY happy each time the nail got cut. This worked so well for Milo that he actually LOVES having his nails cut because it means free treats. He'll even hold out his feet for you. He no longer gets a treat per toe but I do give him one per foot.
Sadie still doesn't like her nails cut but she tollerates it for the treats. She pulls her feet away after each nail still, but mainly because she wants her treat
Both the praise and treats are very important, both dogs like to hear they've made Mom happy almost as much as they like getting the treat.
One other thing, make sure its a REALLY good treat! It has to be worth it to the dog!
I trained Sadie and my parents shetlie Milo to let me trim their toes. I did more or less what Sunchaser said, gradually getting them used to their paws and nails being handled and having the clipper around so that they don't think it will kill them.
The next hurdle was that the clipper pulled a bit and made a noise (I have guillotine type clippers), which they both didn't like. I started rewarding them after each nail and acting REALLY happy each time the nail got cut. This worked so well for Milo that he actually LOVES having his nails cut because it means free treats. He'll even hold out his feet for you. He no longer gets a treat per toe but I do give him one per foot.
Sadie still doesn't like her nails cut but she tollerates it for the treats. She pulls her feet away after each nail still, but mainly because she wants her treat
Both the praise and treats are very important, both dogs like to hear they've made Mom happy almost as much as they like getting the treat.
One other thing, make sure its a REALLY good treat! It has to be worth it to the dog!
mcguiregirl2248
Forums Enthusiast
That is a thought, what type of clippers are you using? The guillotine type seem to freak dogs out I think. I have the other kind - like the vets office has and it makes it a lot easier for me to trim the nails with. They don't seem to make as much noise either.