my dog wont let me groom her

Question
Hi Cindy,
I adopted a 2 1/2 year old Shi Tzu mix that was found as a stray.  I've had her about 8 months now and she will not let me groom her.  She is pretty good when I give her a bath, but that's where it ends.  She tries to bite me if I try to trim her nails or brush her anywhere other then her back near her neck, and I can't linger there too long. Any suggestions a/b how I can groom her...she's beginning to look like a mop.
Thanks,Kelly

Answer
Hello Kelly, I am not sure I can give you an easy answer for this one.  You are dealing with a dog with a history you know little about.  Her history could be the reason she reacts that way.  When I get a difficult dog, a biting one, the first thing I do is muzzle the dog, this protects you and her also as she may bite the metal bristles of the brush causing her mouth to bleed.  Then with a firm, but non threatening hand I get control and do what is necessary to groom her.  My feeling is you need to take her to an experienced groomer and see if they can work with her, if they are indeed good and can get the control over her to gain her respect and she relents to brushing, then maybe they will show you how they did it so that you can do so at home.  Without me there to actually show you control methods...it's just very difficult to explain.  One method is submission.  Lying the dog down on it's side to get control and the dog submitting.  Once the dog realizes you are the "pack leader" things will get easier.  To further understand the "Pack Leader" theory go to this website;  http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/  watch his shows on National Geographic, I know you will learn so much from them and you will get the respect and control over this pup in no time.  Most of what you are dealing with is overcoming what ever has happened in her past, it may just be a trust issue.  Good luck and Thanks for asking, Cindy Lou :)