Brushing teeth and clipping nails Wrigley is 5 months old tomorrow and yet he has yet to let us brush his teeth or clip his nails! The vet did clip his nails when he went, but we are having serious issues doing this ourselves. He fights us like he is fighting for his life. Seriously. We have tried everything, we have tried to wear him out so he is too tired to fight us, we have tried holding him firmly (but I'm too scared we will hurt him so we just end up giving up), I even bought one of those nail file things from bed bath and beyond to try instead of clippers but he hates that even more. We rub his paws during the day so he is used to us touching him there, we also touch his mouth so he is used to that too, but whenever he sees the nail clippers or tooth brush he freaks. I'm starting to wonder if the vet did some harm to him when they did it (for some reason they took him into another room to do this, which I didn't like). What are your tricks? I really don't want to pay to have his nails clipped and do groomers even brush teeth? His breath is getting pretty stinky. I know it shouldn't be such a battle with a 5-6lb dog, but if it was a 25lb+ dog I would have an easier time because I wouldn't be so scared of hurting them by trying to hold them firmly. He can wiggle around like crazy! Any suggestions/advice? |
I understand your frustration, as I'm pretty much in the same boat as well :p I used to be able to clip Mocha's nails without much hassle, but ever since he had them clipped at the vet (it was included in his check-up), he never lets me get close to him with clippers. The vet used the same type and brand of clippers that I have, but she cut them on a different angle, which I think must've hurt him. So I do think there's a good chance that your baby probably had a bad experience getting them clipped at the vet. Mocha's only 3lbs, so it's hard to hold him firmly because we're too afraid of hurting him. I've even had 2 other people help me and it's funny that 3 people can't hold down a 3lbs dog :rolleyes: Anyway, I bought a Peticure and I don't have much of a problem using it on his back feet. I do it with him standing on a grooming table. Unfortunately, his front feet are another story! It always ends up being a tiring, unsuccessful struggle. The other day, I tried clipping his front feet in the sink while he was getting a bath. I managed to get 2 of his nails clipped, which is more than I can get clipped on any other attempts. But, since that was only 20% successful, I gotta go on to the next thing.... I just recently bought one of those puppy purses, similar to these ones... Puppy Purses at Paw Palace. I randomly found one at Walmart for $12 :thumbup: I'm going to sew on some type of cushion/padding around the leg openings so that it's a little more comfortable for him. Then I'm going to have someone "wear" him over their shoulder while I clip/file his nails. I figure it might be harder for him to struggle while he's suspended in mid-air. And, we won't have to worry about holding him down too firmly. Once I get the padding sewn on, I'm going to give it a try and I'll post about it on YT if it works! |
For teeth and breath..I use this: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...out-fight.html Mine fight like mad too and this you just put in their water. For nails....sometimes I need my husband to hold while I clip. what I have found is if they are not watching me and my husband keeps them distracted...its much easier. As soon as they see the clippers they flip. But then I have ones who just lay there and don't mind the clippers, but for the one who makes it a challenge, it takes two of us! |
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Wow sounds like you all have a time with struggling with the small dogs. Ha Ha don't we all. They can out fox us at times. I do really good with the nail clipping. I just after washing them, roll the town up and they can't move much. I learned this was the easies way for me to do this. I hold them close and pull out only one paw at a time. Its great for the front and the back areas. I even have really good luck with Cali and she is my hard to deal with furkid. She is scared of everything....even her own shadow! Now the brushing its still hard at times. Other times they don't mind. |
Yorkies are notoriously difficult on their nails. I'm a dog groomer and clip nails every day and I can't even do my girl without help. She was fine as a puppy and then one day just decided she didn't like it. I was the only one to ever clip her nails and had never cut the quick so I know it was not a matter of having hurt her. She just doesn't like it. Don't assume your vet hurt him, he my just be like my little girl and just decided he wants nothing to do with it. Also as far as the vet taking him into another room, it may just be that he saw you were stressed about the whole thing or was concerned you would get stressed and felt it would be a calmer experience for your dog. I have had some luck with smearing some peanut butter or cream cheese on the counter and cutting her nails as quick as I can while she licks it up. |
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I feel you with cutting nails. Fiona is HORRIBLE when it comes to trimming her nails. It got to the point that they were so long that she was getting stuck in her hair while she was scratching-so one morning, i said I'm not leaving you in your crate alone and letting something happen- so, I cut her nails. I literally had to lay on her to let her know im in control and that it needs to be done---after 20 min of fighting with her, i got the job done, so needless to say we still have some issues but we get it done in about 5 min now rather than 20- you just need to let him know your the boss! be patient- and good luck! i would really tell you when your holding him, just play with his paws and let him know that its not always a bad thing- rewarding is great too! as far as brushing his teeth- he seems a bit young to start it up, but it would help for when he gets older, use a finger brush it works great with those tiny mouths!!!! :) |
For some reason Grace never has given me any struggled to do anything to her. I can brush her teeth, clip her nails and comb her hair and she will stay. She puts her head down in humility but she knows she's in good hands. When I go to cut her nails I find it best to lay her on her back and tell her to stay if I even think she's going to attempt to move. She listens very well and she gets rewarded. A way to a happy Grace is through her stomach! Perhaps your dog has had a bad experience with its vet. I think sometimes we baby them to much, assuming they are so fragile that they become insecure. I'm a firm believer in being stern with Grace. I can open the door to my house and Grace will sit on the steps and not move until commanded to. Everyone asks me how I was able to get her to do that and I tell them that I was very stern with her. It seems to have worked. She's never destroyed my home by chewing on things either. |
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Mocha hates baths as well, but atleast I can get it done :p He also lets me brush his hair no problem. It's just the nails and teeth that he refuses to let me do :rolleyes: Everytime I manage to get the brush inside his mouth, he always jerks his head around and I'm too scared to hold his head still 'cause he might jerk around too much and strain his neck. He has a tiny little neck, so I wouldn't want to cause any trachea damage. I don't know what I'm going to do with his teeth, but I do use Suzie's Tartar Liquid. It's the same idea as the product that Breny suggested, but these types of products are definitely no substitution for brushing. Look at it this way...would you use only mouth wash and never brush your teeth? :eek: |
What about natural raw hide? All that scraping to break a piece off, can that possibly help clean the teeth? |
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OMG I too was having the worst time ever grooming Zima, he would run a mile when he saw the brush! We tried everything also, not showing him the brush till last minute, doing it when he was asleep, TREATS, lots of soothing words, we tried ALL kinds of expensive brushes! etc.. etc.. you all know the drill! I had just about given up and thought i was destined for a matted pup or very expensive professional groomers bills but then, and i don't even know how it happened or what made me try it but i used the smallest comb in the world, i actually think it's for a baby dolls hair and he actually LOVES it! sits very calmy and even lets me brush around his eyes!!! Maybe the size of the brushes was freaking him out (he is tiny 10weeks)..... who knows, they are a very strange (but the most loveable) breed! GOOD LUCK! |
Please let us know if this helps......I am in the same predicament with my Diddy....and he was never hurt byt the vet..... |
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