Some dogs will never accept having their nails cut. They were hurt once, or they simply hate their feet being held, and every trim is a fight. Trainers have a way round it: teach the dog to scratch a rough board, and let it file its own nails.

This board is made for that. It is a wooden block about 35cm by 25cm and 3cm thick, covered in sandpaper, with non-slip pads underneath. Set into it is a treat box about 2.5cm deep under a sliding lid. You put a few treats inside, the dog smells them and digs at the board to get in, and each scrape takes a little off the front nails. The board is described as double sided, so there is a fresh surface when the first wears smooth.

• About 35 x 25 x 3cm
• Wooden board with sandpaper surface
• Treat compartment with a sliding lid
• Non-slip pads underneath
• Double sided

On what it will and will not do: A scratch board files the front nails. It does very little for the back feet or the dew claws, so those will still need trimming now and then. It also takes a few short training sessions before most dogs scratch on cue. Watch the pads: stop the session if a dog is scratching so hard that the pads touch the paper. The maker suggests it for small and medium dogs.

Who it's for: dogs that are frightened of clippers and grinders, owners who cannot safely restrain their dog, and dogs with black nails where cutting is guesswork.