Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

5 steps to trim your puppy’s nails without a fuss

Clipping your dog's nails doesn't have to be hard if you get your pup used to the tools first

Gabrielle LaFrank
By

If you've never had a puppy before, you'll need to be ready for a lot of firsts. The joys of watching your animal discover the exciting things in life — pools, squeaky toys, bacon flavor — are a big part of what makes pet parenting so awesome. On the flip side, there are some things that will take work to get them used to, and trimming puppy nails is a big one.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

20 minutes

What You Need

  • Dog nail trimmer

  • Dog nail grinder

  • Dog nail file

  • Styptic powder

  • Dog treats

It will take some time before both you and your fur baby feel comfortable with nail clipping, which is why it’s so important to take it one step at a time. Of course, once you learn how to cut puppy nails, your confidence will lead the way for your pup, so they’ll know there's nothing to fear.

A brown and black dog's short legs and paws in front of a white background
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What nail clippers should I buy?

meant especially for pets will let you trim your pup’s nails without worrying about injury. Although they look a bit like garden shears, these clippers are designed with two blades for a swift, straight cut — no rough edges here!

If grinding your puppy’s nails is more your style, will have everything you need to get started. Grinding puppy nails can give you more accuracy and control, so you don’t risk cutting too close to the quick — the pink tissue in the center of the dog’s nails that contains all the nerve endings in the digit. Grinding is also a great option for filing sharp nails when you don’t want to give them a full trim.

A puppy with black paws lies down and shows off their nails
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to introduce your puppy to the nail trimmer

Before you even get started cutting your dogs nails, you need to get them used to the tools. The American Kennel Club has a seven-day plan to help introduce your dog to their nail tool, though feel free to work at a pace that you and your pup both feel comfortable with.

Step 1: Handle your puppy’s paws regularly.

If you can get your puppy used to having their paws touched and handled, nail trimming will be much less of an issue later on. Even if they're too young yet to need a trim, spend some time focused on their paws specifically, whether you give them a little massage or play with their tiny toe beans (aka paw pads). This will help your dog stay relaxed when it’s time to trim their nails for real, or even when it’s time to introduce the grinding or clipping tool.

Step 2: Let your pet sniff the clippers.

Once your little pooch is comfortable having their paws touched and loved on, they're ready to meet the clippers. Puppies are very interested in the world around them so you probably just have to hold out your chosen trimmer and they'll investigate.

Related

Step 3: Reward their interest.

Every step of the way, you need to give them a treat and a pat. Use low-calorie training treats and feed them one each time you bring out the nail clippers so they look forward to this intriguing device.

Step 4: Touch it to their paws, but don't clip (yet).

Spend a few days getting your pup used to having the clippers touch their paws but don’t trim just yet. If you’re working with an electric grinder, wait a day or so to turn it on, then let your dog get accustomed to the sound and vibration. The idea in each of these steps is to get your puppy comfortable enough not to pull their paws away when being handled.

A corgi gets their nails trimmed
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to trim dog nails

Step 1: Gather your tools.

Remember the wrong tools can injure your pup or even yourself, and most pet nail tools won’t make a huge dent in your wallet anyway. So it's no stretch to get the right ones. On top of your nail clippers of choice, you probably need . If you accidentally cut too close to the quick, or if your dog moves during trimming, this will stop any bleeding before it becomes an issue.

Step 2: Find the quick.

The nail quick is where your dog’s nerve endings and flesh meet the nail portion. If your dog has light-colored nails, it’s easy to see where the quick begins as a darker portion of the nail. If your dog has dark nails, the rule of thumb is that the quick starts just below where the nail begins to curve. Your vet can help you before your first trim.

Step 3: Hold your pup steady.

You’ll want to hold their paw in your hand, supporting the nail you’re trimming with your thumb and forefinger. A gentle squeeze will help extend their nail, though you’ll still need to be careful to keep the fur out of the way of the trimmer as well.

Step 4: Start cutting the nails.

To begin, trim or grind just the tip of one nail. Choosing a front paw is often the most comfortable for both of you, especially when you’re just beginning. As a guideline, clip just beneath where the nail curves (for pups with darker nails) or beneath the quick (the pink tissue, for dogs with lighter nails).

Step 5: Wait for another day.

If necessary, you can clip just one nail per day until they’re all trimmed or work your way up a little day by day. It may help to keep your puppy distracted with a spoonful of peanut butter if they're especially squirmy, though many pups will be content with regular treats and praise.

A vet uses a professional nail trimmer on a paw
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Some more tips for the best results

When you cut puppy nails there are a few best practices. Use these tips for best results.

  • Everything starts with you. Your calm mindset can ensure that your puppy feels calm, too. Go slow and try to avoid getting upset.
  • Stick with the positive. You should ignore negative behaviors and give your puppy only praise to reinforce the good things.
  • Start as soon as possible. The younger your dog is, the more likely they will accept nail trimming long term.
  • Take your time. Your dog will need to learn good habits, and it’s essential that you take the time to reinforce these. This is the time for patience and consistency.

Just like any puppy milestone, trimming their nails for the first time probably won’t be perfect. With lots of love and some time to adjust, though, even the timidest of pups will get used to having their nails filed, ground, or trimmed. You can follow these steps, but talk to your vet if you still have difficulty. They’re a professional, after all!

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Is your puppy breathing fast while sleeping? Here’s when you should worry and how to help your dog
When to call a vet because your pup is breathing fast while sleeping
A Jack Russell terrier lies in bed between the feet of his owner

It’s hard not to love watching your puppy sleep. In fact, they might somehow manage to get cuter as they snooze. They look so content and peaceful, especially if they're snuggled up to you. Though experts frequently recommend giving your pet their own sleep space, like a crate, it’s ultimately up to you. Regardless of where and when your puppy is sleeping, you want them to be comfortable and safe. If you notice your puppy breathing fast while sleeping, you may get worried. Should you be? It depends.
Here’s what experts want you to know about labored breathing during sleep and when to call a vet.

Different puppy sleeping patterns
Before we get into breathing patterns, it could help to have some knowledge of puppy sleeping patterns. They're similar to ours, though puppies cycle through them more quickly than humans. A puppy may experience 20 sleep cycles nightly. Humans typically go through about four or five cycles. These are the phases.

Read more
Wondering how to go about crate training your 8-week-old puppy? Here’s what you need to know
How to make crate training fun and easy for you and your puppy
A yellow Labrador retriever puppy lies in a crate

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences in any pet parent’s life, but it’s not without some challenges. From puppy-proofing your home to scheduling training sessions, puppies need a lot of care.

One way you can make things easier on yourself is by crate training your puppy. While naysayers claim that crating your dog is cruel, studies show that crate training your pup keeps them from causing mischief while you’re away and can also help your new fur baby feel safe and secure in their new home.

Read more
Why do you often find your dog with their tongue out? Here’s what vets say about the ‘blep’
A dog with their tongue out may be cute, but what does it really mean?
A German shepherd puppy sticks out their tongue

There's nothing cuter than a "blep" but what does it mean? Whether you first heard the term blep on the internet (it is meme-worthy, after all), or are learning of it for the first time, you're in for a treat. Bleps are positively adorable! The term started gaining online traction in the late 2010s, though it's no less popular today. The common canine behavior it's based on, however, is a habit as old as time: sticking out a tongue. Yep, a dog with its tongue out is enough to break the internet!
It's pretty dang cute, after all, but it's not always easy to figure out why a dog's tongue is sticking out. Don't worry though, pet parents — this is a great place to start! This is everything you need to know about bleps and what they mean.

What is a blep? How about a mlem?
Besides being one of the most popular terms used in pet-related social media, a blep refers to when an animal sticks their tongue out of its mouth only slightly. Braxton's Animal Works describes the action as "leaving the tongue, usually the tip, outside the mouth unconsciously." Many pet owners will notice it while their buddy is sleeping, or even after!

Read more