Need advice on clipping dog's nails.

[ChandieLee]

My chihuahua needs her nails clipped and normally my father would do it, but he's got his hands full with helping my sister move. That leaves me. :?

I know how to do it... but she gets very aggressive whe it comes to this. I was wondering of anyone could give me pointers on how to calm her down while clipping her nails so she won't bite me?

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

if she gets really aggressive like that you might want to muzzle her , or it might be a two person job. You might want to get someone else to help so you dont get bit. one person would hold her and block her head so she cant turn and get you and the other one would clip. Be Careful

 

[trailsend]

I agree if the dog is "very aggressive" you will definately need to have someone else there to help you - this should not be allowed. I have a Chihuahua - and have done nails on everything from Chi's to Pit bulls, and Great Danes... (rescues.) And it's definately an art! Patience is the key - lots of gentle talking. But be firm, don't stop trimming their nails and let them get away with not having it done.. it's like with a little kid - they figure if they make a big enough fuss, you'll stop. A lot of parents give in, not a good idea... same thing with dogs. What color are the Chi's nails? Just of course be careful not to cut too much - it happens of course, but this will just make the crankiness worse, so just take it slow and take little tiny bits... A positive experience will help in the long run. My Chi is not aggressive, but he gets scared, but he's almost completely over it now. Treats help a lot too - one before, one during if you think it will help, and absolutely lots of praise and a special treat afterwards for a job well done. They learn over time, that they get a big treat when this is over, so it's worth it. Norman associates nails trims with treats now.

Holding them in a blanket often makes them feel more secure. How aggressive is the dog? Does she growl, or actually bite?

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

the blanket idea is good, my sister has a cat that you need to put in a burrito to trim her nails, well that is if you like your fingers,lol.



My dogs are all different, one sits there an pulls her arm away while scooting her but across the floor to move away from me,lol, My beagle rolls on his back. He is my biggest daily pain in the but , but great w hen getting his nails done, as soon as he is done he jumps up for a treat.

 

[Leaf]

This is an awesome step-by-step guide:

http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/dremel/dremel.html

 

[ChandieLee]

The reason why I think she gets so aggressive is because she was abused before we got her. Her original owner had alot of chihuahuas because she just kept breeding the brothers and sisters, and she abused all of them. Luckily her fatherfound out and made her rehome all of them.

Puppy ( that's my dogs name. Original, huh? ) has clear nails, so we'll be able to see the quick. (kwik?)She gets pretty aggressive when her nails need to be cut. She'll growl at first and when she doesn't get her way, she bites.

My boyfriend said he would help me. He actually wants me to hold her in a blanketwhile he clips her nails. He had a St. Bernard when he was younger, and he had to cut his nails all the time, so he also knows what he's doing.

Thanks for the link, Leaf.I definitely want to the dremel option in mind. Where would I find one?