Health Forum

I made arrangements to adopt a pair of pups, but the owners friend asked for one and she agreed. The owner offered me the mother of my pup and since i wanted two anyway (so my new babies would have playmates and not be lonely). Well the owner brought them and the pup looked fine but the momma was in sad shape. She is a shih tzu and most of her fur had been trimmed down but the fur on her but, legs, paws and belly was matted, her nails are super long and she has fleas and sores where the mats and fleas irritated her. Well I instantly fell in love with the poor mom and decided I would do what i could to make her happy and comfortable. The first thing I did was jump online and find out what I needed to do about the mats and nails, then i went out and bought scissors, clippers, 4 in 1 oatmeal shampoo, conditioner, de-tangler and skin soother, nail clippers, doggie deodorant, treats (this is all after I had prepped for getting the pups, food collars leashes crate dewormer, flea meds etc etc.) I had watched several hours of dog grooming vids and I have cut human hair for years. I did like the vids said and held and petted the dog while i held the buzzing clippers, getting her used to the sound, she didn't like them so I just scissor cut the mats off (not lifting the mats, just running the scissors along the skin very gently) . She squirmed a lot but never seemed super scared just antsy. I clipped some of the nails (only clipping a tiny bit off, the vids said the quick will recede and then i can trim more). like I said I stayed very calm and baby talked her, but now she hides behind the couch and under my bed and it's breaking my heart. I wanted to help her, not terrify her. I know that with lots of bribes and time she will begin to trust me, what I want to know is how can I make the grooming less traumatic, I know her nails have to be painfull and I want to clean up her paws, are there any groomers tricks for dogs with sensative feet? I know that many people will just say take them to the groomers, but I am on a fixed income and I saved up to get the dogs and the items I need to care for them, I know I will have to spend money vetting them because I can't do that at home, but a person can and should know how to take care of their pets basic needs. I know this is long and rambling, I just want people to know that getting dogs wasn't a spur of the moment thing, and that I am a responsible pet owner not looking to be yelled at or insulted, just informed and helped. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any help or info is appreciated.

Well done for taking her and trying to help. The previous owner had not been looking after the dog, probably breeding her for money, or just stupid. Either way, make sure you tell people who might otherwise be tempted to get puppies from her.

The only advice I can offer is to put a leash on her and bring her out to spend more time with you. Keep upbeat and happy when you talk to her, don't baby her too much. You need to show her that you think everything is fine, that will give her more confidence. Then as you said, give her treats ad attention. She probably hasn't been given any training, so teach her to Sit and Lie Down. The experience of learning from you will help build the relationship!

I would like to tell you not to ever buy from such a horrendous breeder again. Research Back Yard Breeders.

For the next time or two, I would suggest taking her to a groomer. That should only cost maybe $10..at least for the nails.

Let her have her little fit, and ignore her. She'll get over it.

Well she is probably scared because she is not used to being groomed and taken care of. Just lure her in with some treats and let her get your scent. She will get your scent by doing this:
1. Show her the bone and lure her in with it 2. When she stars nibbling the treat, make sure she sniffs your fingers. Let her sniff your fingers for as long as you want, because when she is sniffing you she is getting your scent. 3. Keep this routine for a week or so, and once she finally gets your scent on a daily basis, and she shouldnt be scared of you anymore. Hope i helped! :)

it is very possible that they used to miss treat her and hurt her when she got groomed.it is also possible that she hasn't ever been groomed so it was very scary for her. the best thing to do is let her get used to it on her own time and not force her. also do as little as possible to cause her any more stress. best of luck :)

When we got our peke at the dog shelter she was matted and I took her directly to the groomers to get her cleaned up. I think you are right that her nails must hurt and who knows what else is wrong with her. I like the pedipaw very much better than the nail trimmers, our dog practically puts out her paw to have her nails done. I am sure your's wasn't treated so well at that home you got her from, based on her condition. You need a vet evaluation pronto. You need not to feel sorry for her, dogs live in the moment and let it be a happy one now.

You may have just thrown too much at her at one time.

New home, new person, grooming with a scary noise, nail clipping - thats a lot for a dog that is not used to being handled.

I would probably would have just bathed her, cut out the mats and let her alone for a couple of days before taking on any more.

Just let her alone now, give her some time to settle in, and toss treats to her if she will take them.
When she is more relaxed you can try to work on her nails (its not unusual for a dog to dislike having its feet messed with....most of my fosters hated it when I first got them.)