Would like to finger pick.

While waiting for my dulcimer to arrive, I made a practice fret board with guitar strings. I had the strings set about 1/4 inch above fret board.( didn't know better) Spent hours practicing picking but was surprised that the strings on my dulcimer basically hugged the board. It's a totally different animal and much more difficult. Seems like i'm constantly scraping my fret board. Planned on letting my nails grow. I must say though that flat picking it is working nicely, just always thought I'd like to finger pick.