Reaching for Dog Paw to Trim Nails

Most dogs dislike touching or any type of restraint of their paws. We can easily teach your dog to enjoy this part. During this tutorial, you’re going to learn how to teach your dog to allow the touching of her paw. This is an important part of teaching your dog to accept nail trims so take your time.

Goal: Your dog allows (is comfortable) when you reach for and touch her paws and nails. This means your dog doesn’t pull her paw away when you reach, touch or restrain her paw.

Let’s Get Started

Most dogs pull their paws away, freeze, growl or snap when you reach for their paws. This step should reduce their anxiety, but it may take a couple of weeks.

You’ll need several small yummy treats (about 20-30 tiny pieces), a clicker and non-skid area.

Step One

Goal: Dog keeps paw in place while you reach for it. You’re not touching her paw yet.

• Reach for your dog’s paw. Click as you’re reaching and give her a treat. If your dog moves her paw, as you’re reaching, try making smaller “reach gestures.”
• Practice five times in a row. Click and treat when she keeps her paw in place. If she moves her paw, don’t click. The behavior is “keep paw still while I reach for it.” You’ll watch her process the situation and soon learn to keep her paw still while you’re reaching for it.
• End training session and take a break.
• Practice short sessions, alternating between front and back paws, until your dog keeps her foot still while you reach for it.

Tip: Click lots for “reaching for paw” even if you’re stopping three or four feet away. Reaching is the cue for nail trims so we need to change your dog’s perspective. She will learn “reaching for paws” means super yummy treats instead.

VIDEO: Dog Nail Trims – Reaching for Paw

Step Two

Goal: Reach out and touch her paw with your hand. You’re not holding or restraining her paw yet.

• Using one finger, reach out and touch your dog’s paw quickly. Click as you touch her paw and give her a treat.
• If she moves her foot, click and treat when reaching for her paw a few times, then try touching again.
• Practice five times in a row.
• End training session and take a break.
• Continue practice sessions, alternating between front and back paws, until you’re able to touch her paw with your finger.

 VIDEO: Dog Nail Trims – Touch Dog’s Paw

Step Three

Goal: Touch nail with one finger.

• Reach out and touch your dog’s nail quickly. Click as you’re touching her nail and give her a treat.
• If she moves her paw away, click and treat when reaching for her paw. Then, try again.
• Practice five times in a row.
• End training session and take a break.
• Continue practice sessions, alternating between front and back nails, until you’re able to touch her nail with a finger.

VIDEO: Dog Nail Trims – Touch Dog’s Nail

READ ALSO:
Dog Nail Trimming Tools
Trimming Dog Nails Part 2