Question:
Patches is my ornery 15+ year old dog. Over the past 3 or 4 years she has become very difficult to clip, clean and pick up. She is completely deaf and almost completely blind. When my mother and I go to trim her nails or clip her hair she tried to bite us. I hate using a muzzle but am afraid that is the only way unless we sedate her which I am against because of her age.
We are afraid to give her a bath because she bites (actually she only has a few teeth so her really gums you to death) and it hurts. I do not want to spank her because I know she does not know any better.
How can I calm down my blind, deaf dog for her bath and clipping without having to hold her down or muzzle her for my safety?

Answer:
NO SPANKING!!!!!!!!

More then likely the dog is in pain somewhere.

Answer:
A soft nylon muzzle would be much more humane than hitting a 15 yr old blind and deaf dog.

How often do you bathe her? Is it really necessary?

Does she have arthritis? I would be surprised if she didn't, and manipulating her for the bath and nail trim could be very painful for her.

If she is in pain from arthritis, plain buffered aspirin could help.

Answer: