Going to the vet is always a traumatic experience for some pets. If you have time, try bringing her to your vet just to visit...put her on the weigh scale, let the technicians give her treats if she will take them. The idea is to try to get her to associate the vet as a good place, not somewhere she gets poked and nails trimmed all the time.
If this doesn't work - for my own Aussie it took a bit of time, but I can now trim his nails on my own. I start by giving him a belly rub, then trim one nail at a time, pausing to scratch his belly in between. You may need to start off slow, maybe one nail/paw a day. Also, having someone to hold helps.
It can be frustrating, but hang in there! And don't give up if when they fight you...or they will quickly learn to do it next time to get you to stop.

Answered by VetTech on January 20, 2010 at 1:12am - report abuse

Excellent answer above. I have to disagree with one thing. VetTech says "if you have time". You need to make time. A dog this young can't be giving you a hard time about the vet and about nails for years to come. I too would work on nails at home. (We use a dremel here). That way you can get in a lot more practice.

Answered by Bunni Vaughan Healy on January 21, 2010 at 12:33pm - report abuse

I agree with both answers above...and yes...MAKE the time to work with your dog!
If all else fails, and your dog does require some sedation, try asking your vet if they can dispense a mild oral sedative for you to give at home just before you come for your appointment. This is usually a bit less expensive than the injectible sedatives, and you can give it with just a bit of food to hide it in, so your dog never stresses out. If the sedation is still a bit too light, your vet can then give additional sedation as an injection, but your dog will be more cooperative and less fearful even before it walks in the door.
The biggest down-side to oral sedatives is how long they last. One of the most commonly prescribed sedatives for home use in dogs is Acepromazine, which can last 8 hours or more...some clients report their dog wasn't back to normal for almost a full day, if higher doses are used. You should also have your vet do a thorough exam, and bloodwork and such if necessary to ensure your dog is healthy enough to tolerate the sedatives.

Answered by cheytara on January 21, 2010 at 3:46pm - report abuse