Minty_Pups
Posted : 5/17/2006 3:56:40 PM
Mmm can't help ya on the grooming. My mom's great at doing that, so she does all the hair clipping whenevers necessary. But I think you probably need to cut out the matted areas, they only get worse. Pet stores probably sell detangling conditioners for dogs that you might be able to use. With constant brushing I think matting can be kept to a minimum.
As for the nail clipping, depends on what kind of dog you have. If he really hates it, start by just holding his paws while u're petting him, gently squeezing them and praising him at the same time. You might want to invest in a muzzle if you're not too sure on the dog's temperment. Even the nicest dog can turn around and give you a nasty nip if it really hates getting its nails cut.
If your dog has clear nails, then you can see how much you can cut off. If not, then cut off about 1/8 inch. It's better to cut off a little bit at a time than to cut a lot and make your dog bleed.
If your dog hates cutting nails, you probably have to get someone to help you hold him down or hold out his paw to you. DONT let the dog go until you have cut his nails. It'll only give him the message that "If I fight hard enough, I wont have to get my nails cut". When we first started cutting our dog's nails, we took a break after each paw, praisnig and rewarding him. Only let him go after he's calm and no longer fighting you. Remember to praise lavishly after you're done cutting his nails so he associates it with a good thing. And cut once a week at first to help him get used to having his nails cut. After he's okay with it, then you can move on to 2 weeks if you wish.
Good luck!