11/05/2026
Some lovely boys and girls ☺️
In the interests of your dogs welfare and happiness being groomed, I've decided not to clip claws on dogs who strongly object. Many dogs can actually get away with not having their claws clipped. I only ever clipped our spaniels claws as puppies to introduce them, but they haven't ever needed it. We're going on two years now not even doing the dew claws and they're a great length. Some dogs do need their claws clipping, and I recognise that, which is why I saw it as a necessary part of grooming before, even when they didn't accept it. However, I have a whole groom to complete, and on a few dogs, I've noticed high anxiety around me trimming their feet that I've linked to a fear of their claws being clipped. I'm confident it affects more than the ones I'm acutely aware of. I am trying to work towards the most positive grooming experience for your gorgeous dogs that I can, as I hate to be the cause of any distress. If I trim the claws on a dog that is highly sensitive to this, they feel me touching their feet, and panic. I have weighed this up against whether it is better for me or the vet to be the bad guy here, and ultimately feel like if it is necessary for welfare for your dogs claws to be clipped, and they strongly protest, the vet is likely the better option. They can often have multiple hands available if needed, dogs generally go a lot less often so it isn't causing an issue for a lengthy time every 8 weeks or so, and these same dogs more often than not already protest to vet procedures already, and I don't know what can be done about that, but my goal for now is to improve the experience with me.
In terms of costs, I realise I offer nail clipping as part of a full groom. I don't and haven't ever added on the cost of a nail clip which is £8-£12 on top of the rest of the groom. When I already have a dog on the table, and it is okay to have its claws clipped, it takes me less than a couple of minutes generally, and is commentary, so I can't offer a discount if I can't do the claws. It is personal preference, but our vets (pets4vets) and I'm guessing others, do monthly plan for flea and worming treatment, plus other treatments, that often come with free claw clipping. Just as another option to consider, as I know the stand alone cost at the vets is often not small.
I have already tried distraction tactics, quick and confident trimming, food distraction, a hammock, and nail grinders with these dogs. Some dogs just seem to have a really strong aversion.
I am also currently looking into doing a course called Take The Grrr Out Of Grooming. Upon finding out if it covers what I'm looking for, I hope that completing it will help me further understand any behaviour challenges I might face, and best deal with them. Again, my goal is to improve the experience of all the dogs I groom. I love dogs, and I want to reduce as much fear and anxiety around being groomed as I can for those who struggle.