No tips, Vegas is 20 months and 61 lbs. of pure muscle and runs like a scared rabbit even though face washing has been a daily event forever! I usually have to sit on him like a horse and wash and dry his wrinkles. As far as nails, I take him and get them done, his are all black and it scares me to cut to short, and he is AWFUL, Petsmart charges me $11.00 to cut and dremmel them so they are rounded edges. Ears...I have a special ear wash that I got from our Vet, once a week I take him outside squirt it down his ears, massage it very good by rubbing alot under his ears, I try to rub at least 4-5 min. Then run for you life...he will shake his head and the solution goes flying everywhere, that is why I do it outside! I wait about an hour then I take a baby wipe and just wipe the insides of his ears out, the solution loosens up all the wax. I have no tips on how to calm her down, this is a routine we do all the time and Vegas still runs. I don't think you will tramatize her, just keep in mind it is WHAT IS BEST FOR HER.