How on earth do I cut her nails??

[Babz]

I REALLY need to cut Mocha's nails but she just won't stay still. She won't be placated with treats, or distractions like toys or soothing noises. When she sees the clippers she will back off. When I hold her paw she will try to pull it away, If I hold it firmer, she will struggle stronger. And then she will start biting my knuckles, albeit softly, but it makes it impossible for me to see her nails. I cannot even do it even with 2 extra pair of hands.

The first few months were no problems because we had the vet visit for shots and stuff, and they were able to cut Mocha's nails. But now what do I do????!?! Her nails are getting quite long. I also haven't been able to trim her hair. I will need to do that soon.

I do not think sending her to a groomer is the answer. Groomers here are mostly uneducated people who was trained by the store owner, who never went for grooming school and whatnot. If I leave her at a groomer's, I will worry incessantly that they might do something like slip her something to make her sleepy or hold her roughly or whatever. I do not trust them with Mocha, who will struggle and twitch like mad. If I stay, Mocha might act up. If I got to vet to get her nails trimmed, boy it's gonna cost me a visit to the vet to get her nails trimmed??

My mom is not much help. She's suggesting we give Mocha some kid's medicine to make her sleepy. She suggests very little amount, but still! I'm SO not comfortable with that. Seems extreme.

Also I haven't been able to give clean her ears.. Cut the paw hair so she doesn't slip.. Basically she just WON'T STAY STILL. I tried everything! So... help??

[Jessbell]

I know only too well just how hard cutting their nails can be, my Chi, Ellie, was just like that, she would struggle and fight and scream at me when I tried. Then I discovered that after 5 minutes of struggling like that (which seems like an eternity) she just gave up and let me do it. The first few times after this they will struggle for a couple of minutes, but keep it up and they soon learn it's going to happen whether they like it much or not.

Good luck, let us know how you get on, k?

Jess

[Dara311]

Originally Posted by Babz

I REALLY need to cut Mocha's nails but she just won't stay still. She won't be placated with treats, or distractions like toys or soothing noises. When she sees the clippers she will back off. When I hold her paw she will try to pull it away, If I hold it firmer, she will struggle stronger. And then she will start biting my knuckles, albeit softly, but it makes it impossible for me to see her nails. I cannot even do it even with 2 extra pair of hands.

The first few months were no problems because we had the vet visit for shots and stuff, and they were able to cut Mocha's nails. But now what do I do????!?! Her nails are getting quite long. I also haven't been able to trim her hair. I will need to do that soon.

I do not think sending her to a groomer is the answer. Groomers here are mostly uneducated people who was trained by the store owner, who never went for grooming school and whatnot. If I leave her at a groomer's, I will worry incessantly that they might do something like slip her something to make her sleepy or hold her roughly or whatever. I do not trust them with Mocha, who will struggle and twitch like mad. If I stay, Mocha might act up. If I got to vet to get her nails trimmed, boy it's gonna cost me a visit to the vet to get her nails trimmed??

My mom is not much help. She's suggesting we give Mocha some kid's medicine to make her sleepy. She suggests very little amount, but still! I'm SO not comfortable with that. Seems extreme.

Also I haven't been able to give clean her ears.. Cut the paw hair so she doesn't slip.. Basically she just WON'T STAY STILL. I tried everything! So... help??

Im not really sure that i agree with what you were saying about groomers, because the one i worked for went to school and she is absoulty great and i would trust her with my dog in a heartbeat.....i would be more leary of the groomers in petsmart because they are horrible around here, and i would not even allow my animals to go there. ......

but anywhos....i had to literally sit on Fiona to get her to hold still and for her to understand that im the boss, not her. and i got the job done.

however taking them to the vet for them to be the bad ones rather than you should be a better approach for you!

good luck!

[Jacklynn]

haha when you find out the answer let me know Wrigley hates it as well and doesn't sit still. So far the best suggestion given to me was to do it in the bath, he hates the bath but sits still, also after we wrap him in the towel he remains still long enough for me to do a paw or two.

[Patti]

Out of my 4, Cali is the one that absolutely won't let me cut her nails. My daughter tried holdong her and that didn't work so I have they vet or a groomer do it. If you go to a good groomer you shouldn't have any problems.

[zoeybear]

I took my girls to petco and they did it while I stood right there and watched. They held my girl and bent her paw backward instead of trying to hold it straight out in front. (like bending at the knee) and cutting from behind. Does that make sense? Not sure if I am explaining it well. I found they were very patient and I was comforted that I could be there and watch. That way if you feel it isnt going well, you could stop them. Good luck.

[Babz]

Originally Posted by Dara311

Im not really sure that i agree with what you were saying about groomers, because the one i worked for went to school and she is absoulty great and i would trust her with my dog in a heartbeat.....i would be more leary of the groomers in petsmart because they are horrible around here, and i would not even allow my animals to go there. ......

but anywhos....i had to literally sit on Fiona to get her to hold still and for her to understand that im the boss, not her. and i got the job done.

however taking them to the vet for them to be the bad ones rather than you should be a better approach for you!

good luck!

Dear Dara,

I was talking about the groomers in my country Someone will open a grooming store, and they will hire workers, who may or may not have went to school. Majority in my country is living below the poverty line. Everybody needs work, so who's to say the store owners won't just hire anyone because labor is so cheap? The owners themselves may or may not have gone to a grooming school. The workers, well, I really don't think they're educated in any ways about dogs.

I know there are REAL grooming stores in Jakarta, but it is down town and with the jam and everything it could take up as long as 3 hours to drive down there, not counting the time to drive back.

The nearest somewhat "real" groomers I found is almost an hour's drive away. And Mocha is car sick

So groomers are not an option for me right now

Originally Posted by Jacklynn

haha when you find out the answer let me know Wrigley hates it as well and doesn't sit still. So far the best suggestion given to me was to do it in the bath, he hates the bath but sits still, also after we wrap him in the towel he remains still long enough for me to do a paw or two.

I tried the towel thing... Didn't work She doesn't even sit still in the bath.. I will try it though, she likes the warm water. Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by zoeybear

I took my girls to petco and they did it while I stood right there and watched. They held my girl and bent her paw backward instead of trying to hold it straight out in front. (like bending at the knee) and cutting from behind. Does that make sense? Not sure if I am explaining it well. I found they were very patient and I was comforted that I could be there and watch. That way if you feel it isnt going well, you could stop them. Good luck.

I know what you mean. I will try that too. Thank you

[Babz]

Originally Posted by Jessbell

I know only too well just how hard cutting their nails can be, my Chi, Ellie, was just like that, she would struggle and fight and scream at me when I tried. Then I discovered that after 5 minutes of struggling like that (which seems like an eternity) she just gave up and let me do it. The first few times after this they will struggle for a couple of minutes, but keep it up and they soon learn it's going to happen whether they like it much or not.

Good luck, let us know how you get on, k?

Jess

So what you're saying is that I should use the same logic like how I get her to be used to brushing??

Is it really that easy?? Man, I really hope more patience will work.. I am desperate right now.. Thank you so much!

[bildio]

I just saw this on another YT message board.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ml#post2304875

[AshasMom]

I never realized such small dogs could put up such huge fights. I have tried many ways to cut Asha's nails, and it is virtually impossible. My vet does not charge a complete fee. It is only $12. That is what I have resorted to doing, and he makes it look like a piece of cake. Asha actually sits still better for him anyways. I have not had the opportunity to cut Barney's yet. Hopefully, he'll be a trooper.

[Mardelin]

Ok Ladies.....I'm a groomer and exhibitor/breeder.....I can clip nails and/or use the dremel to file them down "THAT IS ON MY CLIENT'S DOGS". When it came to mine, it was fight, scream (me not them and I mean as in crying), though it would get done. At the end the dog would be exhausted and I'd be sweating. I have a couple that I've never been able to do and took them to the vet's to have them clipped. Well! about a month ago, I had one in the tub to be bathed and turned on the water sprayer over her body. I looked over and saw the nail clippers and picked them up, grabbed her hind leg and bent it backward at the knee and clipped all the nails on that foot without a flinch, squirm, nothing. Picked up the other hind leg and did the same. Picked up the front leg and did the same. Finished all 4 without a yelp. Did it in about 2 minutes.

The next day, I needed to bathe my next problem child and thinking the previous day was a fluke and did the same with my Denny. Under 2 minutes I was done. Well! Since that day, all my dogs are done that way and no more problem.

[T Doll]

I just posted a thread today about finally being able to clip my baby's nails (his name is Mocha, too!). Click on the thread to read my tips! http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ml#post2305125

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

wow sounds like you found a solution...now if only they weren't so bad in the bath...hehe

[rayray08]

I agree it can be hard to do your own baby's nails.
I work in a grooming salon as a bather and it seems like those of us who have our own dogs have to have another groomer do them for us! Or we have to help each other.
Our dogs know they'll get away with more when they're with us!
It's getting better with Mahina and her nails, she puts up a fight, but like some others have said they get tired and give up. And that's exactly what she does. She fights, squirms, cries but after a few frustrating minutes she stops and just lets me do it.

Also someone suggested bending the paw back, it's best to do it that way (easier for you to see the nail) and it's more comfortable for them.
Another great suggestion I saw was doing it in the bath, for some reasons some dogs tolerate it more in the bath. Not too sure why, but if your baby responds well to it, then definitely do it!

GOOD LUCK!

[Babz]

Guys, thanks so much for all the advice! I will try each and every one, see which works at all, and which works better! I will try doing it in the shower, blocking her view of the clipper, bending the paw backwards, ANYTHING!


OK! I feel all confident now, will try when she's tiring a little from running around