Any tips on how to trim a reluctant dogs claws??

[Dizzydummy]

My elderly GSD has always been difficult to trim her claws but now she is impossible! She has got arthritis so I cannot be too physical with her but her damned claws need trimming!!!! HELP!!!!

[wiggofan]

Could you do just one claw a day and reward with a treat or toy? My lab only needs his dew claws done because the rest wear down on their own. I put a piece of cheese in front on him and tell him to wait.
He's so fixated on the cheese he doesn't take any notice of claws being cut.

[Aquelven]

Can you distract her with something to chew on while you do it? A Nylabone or something she likes. Do you get down on the floor with her? Might be best & clip them while she's lying down, a few at a time.

[Thinkability]

Take her to the vet/groomer?

[Onlyaphase]

One of our labs always needs all his claws clipped. We have a dual approach

1. Both of us hold him in a corner using a fair amount of strength, and clip his claws. The dog gets stressed. At least one of his claws bleeds a bit.
   

1. We take him to the vet, and hold him (with the help of a vet nurse) and the vet clips his claws. The dog gets very stressed and it costs us £22. At least one of his claws bleeds a bit.
   

I'm just grateful we did this last week, and have a few months to go before it needs doing again.

[Takver]

One of us stands over ddog with him kind of wedged between our knees and head in an armlock (ideally with his bum in the corner of the room so he can't back out) - other one clips claws. I don't think it could be done with only one of us, though.

[Dizzydummy]

Thanks for the responses, we did it this afternoon by pinning her on the sofa and just going for it. She made so much noise that the neighbours must have thought we were sawing her legs off!!! As soon as we stopped though she was happy as Larry so it obviously doesn't hurt her, she just doesn't like it! I think I'll do as someone suggested next time and take her to a dog groomer, she may behave a bit better for a stranger????

[Thinkability]

My friend used to get a sedative from the vet so that she could manage it at home. I'm not sure wether it was her or the dog that had the sedative though

[Principality]

Onlyaphase, of everytime you clip them they bleed no wonder poor dog doesn't like it!

Op, go slow, a few at a time. Be calm, gentle but firm. I get my dogs to lie down whilst I do it. Older dog used to just lie there and let me get on with it. Puppy snatches her feet back. Just be firm, but lots of praise and treats when they're still.

Dog I've had pink/clear claws but puppy's are black so you can't see the quick. If you so it regularly the quick stays short so less chance of hurting them, and dog gets used to it. I've never made either of mine bleed.

[InvisibleHotPinkWeasel]

Onlyaphase If it's a small consolation my old Lab was fine about her claws being trimmed by me or the vet nurse, she sit here happy as Larry. But two claws would always bleed, regardless, we were used to it, so occasionally if she went to a groomer for a posh bath we'd forget to tell them. We'd then be met with upset groomers trying to offer us a discount for breaking our dog