Nail Triming

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

Lucy, our Silky/Yorkie mix had her quik cut during her 1st ever trip to the groomers, and since then I haven't been able to trim her nails. Her nails are extremely long, but when I try to cut them she puts up a HORRID fight, and yelps/cries, bites, pulls, and I'm afraid she's going to hurt herself, or me in the process, so I've given up. They don't seem to horribly long, but they are way definately longer than they should be, and will eventually hurt her, but I don't see a way to trim them. I've tried filing them, catching her off guard, nothing works. I've even had someone restrain her while I try to clip them, but she still gets away. I'm worried to be too rough about it with her because she's only 5-6lbs but I'm also afraid that if I just let her go every time that because she wins, she thinks she can struggle like that all the time....I don't know what to do. Any advice is great! :)

[Herschel]

Dremel? I've heard that if someone is good it only takes a few seconds.

Alternatively, use very high value treats (cheese, fresh meat, etc.) and give her a couple of pieces before you start. Then try this:

Hold her paw, if she doesn't scream, treat.

Touch her nails with your finger. If no scream, treat.

Next paw. Hold it, treat.

Touch the nails, treat.

Etc., until all paws are done. Then show her the clippers. If she doesn't try to run, then treat. That's it for the first day.

A few days later, do the same thing. This time, let her see the clippers by her paw. Treat if she doesn't go insane. Try moving the clippers around the paw, if she doesn't react, then treat. (No trimming!)

A few days later, you could try trimming a tiny bit. Treat for each nail that you clip! Make sure she is held snug so she feels secure but not uncomfortable.

[MafiaPrincess]

I dremel.. But it takes some practice to get good at it.. And if the dog wants to freak and fuss, it's harder to do it nicely. It's less stress for us than clipping was, but I was handy with my dremel before I had a dog doing normal garage projects ;)

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

Thanks guys!!! I'll try what Herschel said, and if that doesn't work, I'll try buying a Dremel. THANKS! :D