Help! She won't let me brush her or clip her nails!

[tiggerr36792]

Be patient, be firm, and be loving. Try to do it in short brushings doing a little at a time. Soon it will become much easier. IMO avoid making it seem like a chore and more of mommie and me time, with lots of kisses and extra attention. The less stresed they are when brushed the easier it becomes. I also recommend filling a Kong with peanut butter and letting them lay there and lick it while being brushed to keep their mind off the brush as much as possible.

[mistyinca]

Originally Posted by cheeselover8481

Wrap a towel or blanket around them real tight and leave only the paw that you are cutting the nails out. This way they cannot move around as much. It works great if you can get them used to laying on their backs. I wrap Rosie in the blanket, then lay her on her back on my legs and cut her nails.

I did that...she literally THRASHED about so violently, that she pulled herself out from the blanket...and I had it pretty tight. The thing is, I wonder if she had a bad experience last time she was gr omed. She hasn't really been the same since she came back (it was over a month ago). She's rather hand shy now.

[cheeselover8481]

Originally Posted by mistyinca

I did that...she literally THRASHED about so violently, that she pulled herself out from the blanket...and I had it pretty tight. The thing is, I wonder if she had a bad experience last time she was gr omed. She hasn't really been the same since she came back (it was over a month ago). She's rather hand shy now.

Sorry to hear that. It works for us real well. Putting her on her back makes brushing her hair, teeth, and clipping her nails real easy. Be patient like others mentioned. We kept holding her on her back until she learned to love it. Now she falls asleep on her back in our arms. The key is when they swarm around or scream don't give in. Hold on to them until they stop screaming and stop trying to get out.

Others try putting peanut butter on the counter and get close enough to the peanut butter so they are trying to eat it but far enough so they don't eat it. This way they are focusing on the peanut butter and not on what you are doing.

Your dog will get used to it eventually. How long have you tried brushing her and clipping her nails.

[mistyinca]

Originally Posted by cheeselover8481

Your dog will get used to it eventually. How long have you tried brushing her and clipping her nails.

Brushing her is no problem. She is fine with that and all relaxed. It's just the nail clipping that she won't have.

[blondflava]

I think it is all about time... Pepper used to be very bad about brushing and would try to run away and hide or try to bite me. But every day he'd get brushed and I'd try my best to stay calm and persistent. It took a couple months but he learned it had to be done. He doesn't love it (I don't think he ever will) but stays still or just lies down and lets me comb him...

[simplyyorkies]

Someone else posted about being alpha - this is so true. Establish alpha role - let her know that you are in charge and you will never allow anything or anyone to harm her. Leash train her - walk with her and tire her out. Then when she is tired put her on your lap, slowly pet her with your hand then start combing her hair. Gently - never with force or push the comb/brush into her skin. I always coo and really softly talk (almost a whisper) while I'm doing it. They relax, you relax and everyone enjoys the experience. it takes some time but once she realizes this is a treat she will stop fighting.

As for toenails - start by touch her feet. Just touch and release. Then hold her foot and release. Every day make an effort to touch her feet. Make sure you are touching her toenails too. For the jumpy pups I always put them in the bath and allow them to stand in a little bit of water to soften the nail. Gently I lift the back foot and clip. I put a rubber duck in the water so they are distracted. Then when you do the front nails just gently lift and clip - if she squirms just keep going - don't let her decide when you are done. If you get a couple nails without a fight you've won. Then try again - until they are all done. It takes time - just be patient and work with her. She will learn to trust you.

Best of luck!!

[Aford2456]

Thanks for all the good advice.

Update: I used one of my old boar's hair brushes on her today, and she actually let me brush her for a little while! Also, I tried clipping only a few nails over the weekend, and I actually got 3 done! I got two from her back paws and one from her front. I like the idea from simplyyorkies....I definitely should take her on a walk, tire her out, and then try to gently brush her hair (I think I may have been too rough in the past). I do try and touch her feet everyday, but she jerks them away very quickly. Anyway, I will keep working patiently on her... hopefully someday I'll be able to brush and clip her nails all in the same day!

[yorkiemomma7]

what is the best brand of shampoo to use? I normally buy the the stuff that petco sells, but it leaves Teddy's hair looking dull after about a few days. It says it's mousturizing, but it doesn't look that way. He hates brushes too, but i get what i can get done, and go back later for the rest of him.
yorkiemomma7

[simplyyorkies]

Originally Posted by yorkiemomma7

what is the best brand of shampoo to use? I normally buy the the stuff that petco sells, but it leaves Teddy's hair looking dull after about a few days. It says it's mousturizing, but it doesn't look that way. He hates brushes too, but i get what i can get done, and go back later for the rest of him.
yorkiemomma7

As a groomer I use Quadruped Protein shampoo. It is amazing! go to their website and order - fast shipping and great customer service!! http://www.quadrupedpetcare.com/ Tell them Tangled Knot Grooming sent you - he'll usually give you a deal or send nice samples!!