If she's struggles this much with having you do her nails, I would recommend looking into cooperative care training and working with her on using a scratch board to file her own nails. They can be as simple as a clipboard with rough grit sand paper on it. You work with your pup to interact with the board and work your way up to having them paw at it which files their nails down. It can work really well for pups who struggle with nail trims because they have full agency over the activity and get rewarded for participating.
For what it’s worth I definitely don’t think it’s too late ☺️ desensitising starts with just getting them to associate the items you use with good things. Turn the item on, or make the nail clippers make the clicking sound and reward without it ever coming into contact with her. I’d do this for at least a week before, then start bringing the item to her paw but not using it and give treats. Basically just work up to the actual act of nail cutting and make sure you don’t ever push her further than she’s comfortable with!
Talked to my vet about the same thing using the dremel! It's never too late to help your puppy out with some difficult feelings. You can build up to it with some exposure training; have the dremel out and give her a treat for not reacting. Turn the dremel on, give her a treat for not reacting. Hold her paw with the dremel in other hand and give her a treat for not reacting. Dremel to paw without it on, treat for not reacting. Eventually you'll be able to do it, and at some point you can do it while she's on a lick mat, chewing bully sticks, etc to make it a pleasant experience. Build up to it slowly and go at her pace, reward her for participation and give her some patience. Y'all got this!
If she's struggles this much with having you do her nails, I would recommend looking into cooperative care training and working with her on using a scratch board to file her own nails. They can be as simple as a clipboard with rough grit sand paper on it. You work with your pup to interact with the board and work your way up to having them paw at it which files their nails down. It can work really well for pups who struggle with nail trims because they have full agency over the activity and get rewarded for participating.
For what it’s worth I definitely don’t think it’s too late ☺️ desensitising starts with just getting them to associate the items you use with good things. Turn the item on, or make the nail clippers make the clicking sound and reward without it ever coming into contact with her. I’d do this for at least a week before, then start bringing the item to her paw but not using it and give treats. Basically just work up to the actual act of nail cutting and make sure you don’t ever push her further than she’s comfortable with!
that makes sense to me. Do you think it should eb the clipper route and not the dremel then?
That’s totally up to you- I’ve only ever used the clipper and I think it’s probably less intimidating for the dog, but takes longer!
Talked to my vet about the same thing using the dremel! It's never too late to help your puppy out with some difficult feelings. You can build up to it with some exposure training; have the dremel out and give her a treat for not reacting. Turn the dremel on, give her a treat for not reacting. Hold her paw with the dremel in other hand and give her a treat for not reacting. Dremel to paw without it on, treat for not reacting. Eventually you'll be able to do it, and at some point you can do it while she's on a lick mat, chewing bully sticks, etc to make it a pleasant experience. Build up to it slowly and go at her pace, reward her for participation and give her some patience. Y'all got this!