My dog bites when I trim his nails. How can I calm him safely?

The only safe and effective sedatives for dogs are available from the vet. Unfortunately it's illegal for me to recommend using anything, including OTC drugs, because I can't see Duke in person. That's because doing so requires a veterinary client patient relationship which cannot be achieved via an internet forum. In addition, the experts cannot say for certain if a specific drug is safe for your dog. He's an older dog, and specific drugs may be contraindicated in him due to potential health problems such as heart disease. I'd make an appointment with his vet. The vet can give him a safe sedative and trim the nails for you. Best of luck, I hope this helps.

One option may be to use an oral sedative from your veterinarian. Ask the vet about Acepromazine or Trazodone. Working on some positive association may also help. You may need both the association and a sedative. Begin by having a high value treat. Start toughing his feet and reward him as soon as you touch his toe nails. Do this for a few days. Once Sparks seems comfortable with this behavior, show him the clippers. Rewards him every time he looks at the clippers. Gradually move the clippers closer to him until they touch his nail. Give him treats frequently. Then cut one nail, reward him immediately and stop the trimming for that session. Work up to multiple nails. Be patient and don't stress him or get injured. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! In order to get a pet used to having their nails trimmed you need a lot of time and patience. You need to start very slowly by touching the dogs limbs and giving treats when they don't react. You do this about 50-100 times then you move to the toes. Repeat the above. After she is used to that touch, you touch her toes with nail clippers and treat. Basically you are getting her used to the touch and tools before even getting to the nails. She needs to be relaxed the entire time. If at any time she becomes aggressive, you stop what you are doing and try again with the previous step when she's relaxed. This can take months. In the meantime, I would talk to your vet about sedatives so you can clip Chloes nails in a non-stressful manner. If you try when she's stressed it is going to make training her even more difficult. Always make every training session fun and relaxed. Good luck and kisses to Chloe!

Some pets are so fearful, that anesthetizing them is safer for everyone involved. However, finding a vet office that is Fear Free certified or has techs or doctors that are can really help. There are definitely drugs that can be given, such as Trazodone, that can help to reduce anxiety. There are proven nail trim desensitization programs that can be done to help fearful pets as well. Also, teaching your dog to accept a basket muzzle in a fear free way and getting him his own can really help to make the process easier and safer! Bringing really good snacks like canned cheese, peanut butter or hot dog pieces can also help. Benadryl does not reduce fear at all so definitely talk to your vet about options!

I'd consider taking Fatman into the vet to have his nails trimmed. Vets and vet techs are really good at doing this to dogs who hate it, and if needed, can sedate him to that it can be done safely. I hope this helps!

Poor Dash! I can definitely sympathize - there are many dogs who are extremely stressed and upset by having their nails trimmed. I agree that this is especially concerning for him, given his age and the fact that he is prone to seizures. I would suggest calling your veterinarian to discuss a plan for this - there is no reason that nail trims in the vet's office need to be stressful at all, as they should be able to give him a dose of injectable sedation to trim his nails safely without causing him to struggle or get upset. We do this quite frequently at my clinic for dogs who become very stressed and upset about nail trims, and it works extremely well - it's a much safer and more humane option than trying to just hold him down and force him to hold still.

You can take Jake into your vet's office to have his nails cut, and the vet can safely give him a sedative in order to have the procedure done. Melatonin and Benadryl will not "knock him out," nor will it the sedative properties to ensure you can get his nails cut without issue. Speak to your vet about having him sedated at their office so he can safely have his nails cut.