A lot of dogs dislike having their nails trimmed. It usually requires turning them on their side or back–vulnerable positions that can be uncomfortable. Sharp objects are brought near them, and loud clicks occur when their nail is cut. When using a grinder, they hear a loud, unusual noise and feel a strange sensation at their feet. Unfortunately, sometimes you or the vet will accidentally “quick” their nail, which is when the tip of the skin inside the nail gets cut in addition to the excess nail. A great way to make keeping your dog’s nails short easier is to teach them to rub them on scratchboards.
Scratchboards give dogs the autonomy to willingly take part in their nail trims. They often find comfort in having some control in the process. You don’t even have to buy one–you can simply make your own with materials you likely have at home or can easily get at the store. After a few training sessions, your pup will be excited when it’s time for nail trims.
Make Your Scratch Board
These simple devices have two main parts: a base, and the scratching material. You can make a flat board using a piece of square wood or a curved one using a halved PVC pipe or bucket. Curved ones often work better than flat ones to shorten all four of their nails. The scratching material is either sandpaper (use 40 or 60 grit for dogs over 25 lbs and 80 grit for small dogs. Traction tape works as well to provide a gritty surface. Use glue or tape to attach the material to the base.
Train Your Pup to Scratch
When beginning this training, mark and reward any interest your dog shows in the board. Hold it out for them at an easy length and height. During your next session, only reward them when they touch their paw to it. Once they consistently touch it, start being pickier with your rewards–make sure they touch it for longer and even drag their paw along it. Your dog should get the hang of it soon, especially if they enjoy digging and therefore are used to this motion. To hold their interest, make sure you limit the training sessions to just a few minutes at a time and stay positive. Lots of treats should be doled out, especially at the beginning.
Getting them to scratch their back feet can be a little more difficult–but not impossible! To teach this behavior, set the board on the floor next to some furniture, like a couch or chair. Lure your pup with a treat so that they stand on the board on their hind legs, with their front legs on the furniture. Make them stretch for the treat–this will cause them to extend their back legs and scratch their nails on the board. Be sure to mark when you notice their nails scratch, then give them the treat before repeating.
For some dogs, scratchboards may replace the need for nail trims or grinding altogether. For others, it’s just a good way to extend the amount of time between trims. Regardless, it’s a fun way to help your dog participate in their own health and earn a handful of treats.
Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training is a professional dog training facility based in Bradenton, Florida. We offer obedience classes and puppy training classes, as well as boarding and playcare.
