No. Of course not. That’s a stupid question. If you ask any veterinary staff member, groomer, or anyone that has seen a video on social media with a pug screaming bloody murder and trying to bite, the answer is yes. So let’s unpack that.
My husband and I have had 2 pugs. Both of which, not aggressive for nail trims. So 100% of pugs are not naturally nail trim aggressive. Makes sense, right? Somehow, every time anyone learns that we have a pug, I am asked “omg, are you able to do their nails?!” During our marriage, we have had 5 dogs. All of them have been very well behaved for nail trims, including the one dog that we got as an adult. The key: do nail trims often and make sure your dog trusts you 100%.
Do you know why dogs hate nail trims so much? It’s because the pet parents never trim the dog’s nails. They wait until the yearly veterinary visit and ask for the nails to be trimmed after that stranger in the white coat just touched the dog in strange ways and stabbed the dog multiple times with needles. Yeah, I’d be aggressive too.
How does a dog become aggressive with nail trims when they used to be so good about it? That’s an easy one. Someone, at some point during a nail trim, cut too close to the quick (blood supply and nerves) and caused pain. I wouldn’t want my nails done either if I got hurt during every manicure.
So, how do we fix this issue? If you are trimming nails… GO SLOW! Take your time and pay attention to how close you are cutting to the quick. Clip off tiny shavings of nail until you see that dot in the middle of the nail getting darker, then stop cutting. If you have a puppy, do weekly nail trims at your vet or at home. Touch their paws constantly. Make it a “normal” thing so they don’t see this act as a strange horrible yearly ritual where you or some stranger tries to cut off their toes.
If your dog is an adult and already aggressive with nail trims. Train them to wear a muzzle (for safety) and find some way to distract them and reward them for each nail successfully clipped. Peanut butter spread on a lick mat or snuffle mat works wonders. If you get ONE nail trimmed without a growl, snap, or struggle, call it a win, give them a treat and go again tomorrow. If you demand your dog stand there for a full nail trim while they growl, struggle, and snap, their behavior will NEVER change. If you demand your veterinary staff hold your dog down while he struggles and panics during a nail trim, his behavior will only get worse. Reward the good and don’t push it.
If your dog’s behavior during nail trims is unsafe for the people involved. Consult your veterinarian for oral sedatives and consult a trainer or behaviorist. They can work with you and your dog to make nail trims better, happier, and safer for everyone involved.
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