Anxiety

Question
Hi,
I have a "special" lil' shitz - she/Bo Jangles is 11 months old and the runt of a litter of 5 pups (the mom rejected them and we hand raised them all).
She was stuck in the birth canal with another pup and both sacs were wedged so fully that even the vet could not manually dislodge them and after 4 unsuccessful Pit injections an emergency c-section was performed.
Little Bo was not expected to survive and her hips were swung low with her little legs twisted in opposite directions and limp.
She was also wall eyed and had corneal scarring.
I am happy to report that with 4 times daily massage therapy and eye excercises (made up by my husband) and a ton of TLC, not only has she survived, but... No wheels, no Goggles and no Crash Helmet.
She is very healthy and happy. Running, Jumping and rough housing with the rest and her eyes are straight and she can focus and see. She is half the size of her litter mates and the only other thing that really sets he apart is that she is just a little stiff in her movements and can be slightly nervous and jerky in her movements when she is disoriented outside of her environment.
She has been handled extensively since the day she was born and when she was too little to do anything she took her bathing and grooming as it came.
As she got older she still accepts a bath and being brushed, and anything you wish to do "with your bare hands", but add a cotton ball or a face cloth, not to mention a scissor, nail clipper or buzz razor and all bets are off.
She totally freaks and by "freaks" I mean she bucks and struggles so hard it is impossible to put drops in her eyes, ears or do anything.
This reaction is severe and seems to be linked mostly to having any part of her body forcefully restrained, especially her head.  She fights so hard that it is not only dangerous - her quick was cut badly last grooming and she had a gash under her chin, but even worse... the whites of her eys were blood red and my groomer (who is amazing, an angel from god, has the patience of a saint and is the only one who ever groomed her) said it was from hypertension and that she was afraid she was going to give herself a heart attack.
She had tears in her eyse and said she never, ever wanted to have to say it, but she needs me to start sedating her for her groomings.
I have tried the wholistic mixtures of vallerium, chamomile, etc. with no real effect. I have tried benedryl as suggested by my vet - no effect.
My vet does not want to give her any rx sedation and says it is dangerous.
What can I possibly do?????
Help Please!!!!

Answer
Hi Donna.  Your  "special" lil' shitz - she/Bo Jangles, has a special angle for an owner.  Your dedication and commitment to her has moved me deeply.

Ok, now let's see if we can help Little Miss Bo Jangles over her fear issues.

Step One:  Find the best treat you can for Bo Jangles.  When I write "Best Treat" I do not meaning the most nutritious - I mean whatever SHE likes the best.  If it's smelly old Liverwort, or bunny droppings, or whatever turns her on.  Have cotton balls in your pocket.  Have a partner with a second hand watch to time you, or if you are alone use an egg timer, the timer on your microwave, etc.

Step Two:  Offer her 20 - 30 bite sized treats (pea sized)one at a time - quickly in a 30 second time period. Keep your free hand open and in sight of Bo Jangles.   This will get her attention.  Take a 60-second break.

NOTE:  This sounds simple, but I assure you that it is a lot harder than it sounds.  At first, most people can only offer 12 - 18 treats in a 30 second time period.  It is ok to toss the treats on the floor - you do not have to place them in her mouth.  Just be sure she eats one and looks to you for the next one.  It is also ok to get down on her level, setting on the floor, bending over etc.

Step Three:  Repeat step two, but 10 seconds in to the session, take the cotton ball out of your pocket (with your free hand - not the feeding hand) holding it in your fingers - where Bo Jangles can see it, but do not extend your hand towards her.  Instead keep you hand against your chest, fingers pointing upward with the cotton ball visible.  Continue offering the treats until the 30 second frame time is up.  Take another 60-second break.

Step Four:  Repeat step two, but 10 seconds in to the session, move your hand 1/2 way the distance between you and Bo Jangles. Continue offering the treats until the 30 second frame time is up.  Take another 60-second break.

Continue the above until you can touch Bo Jangles with the cotton ball.  If at any time, during these steps, you receive an adverse reaction from Bo Jangles, stop, and repeat step two.

Once you are able to touch her with the cotton ball, call it a day.  The next day try the latex gloves.

Good luck, and please, please let me know how this works for you and your precious Bo Jangles.  And please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.  Sincerely, Penny D.