Good advice from Jason on the bathing. As for the toenails, I find it is easiest to do them when my guys are sleeping.
First get her used to the clipper. I personally prefer the guillotine style with a guard to prevent snipping too much. I started by letting the dog sniff, mouth, bite the tool, then just leaving it next to them.
When they are used to it, start gently tapping each toenail with the clipper. Then just take a teeny piece off one nail. Wait for a few days, then do one more nail. You might want to make a chart to keep track of which nails you have done.
It might take 2 weeks to get all the nails done at first, but with time you should be able to get all 4 feet done in one sitting.
Jan 03, 2010 Rating
Bath Time by: Jason ridler
My 2 year old male used to hate baths, and having his nails trimmed. I brush him every day, but only bathe him 2 or 3 times a year. During the warmer months Mac gets his bath outside, in the winter it is too cold so the bath tub is the only option.
Bathing Mac indoors used to be almost impossible, the bathroom would end up drenched, and I usually ended up with a back injury. Last winter Mac slipped while running in the snow, and landed in a pile of his own stuff. I had no choice but to give him a bath. Due to the cold, an outdoor bath was not an option. For obvious reasons it was imperative to get Mac through the house, and into the tub as quickly,and smoothly as possible.
Not wanting to have to fight a dog covered in stuff, I decided it would be easier to just get into the tub with him. I put on my swimming shorts, and climbed in. My wife did the shampooing while I sat in the tub, and kept Mac calm. Mac loved it, and will now jump into the tub on his own (I still have to follow).
As for the nails: My wife, and I work as a team to trim Mac's nails. We always start by petting him until he becomes relaxed. One of us will hold him firmly while the other works carefully, but quickly to trim his nails. We do one paw, and then reward him with a treat/praise before moving on to the next paw.
