I've always used a doggie nail clipper that has a guard on it, and just take the tips off to avoid the quick. It usually means having to trim more often, but my dog also gets a lot of exercise on hard surfaces which seems to wear her nails down a bit. I've never met a dog who LIKES his nails clipped (my mom's dog cries like you are beating her!) but in my (limited) experience they tolerate it.

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Originally Posted by NowWhat

For me, my dog knows who is boss. We do not freak out. Or any of those things. And this has happened to two of my dogs. One of which we never cut his nails - we paid someone to do it. It got to a point that they said they would have to give him a tranquilizer to do it. He literally would almost have a heart attack. And his nails had always been cut by either a licensed vet or a very well trained groomer.

So - we may have the exception to the rule.

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I just wanted to let you know that I know just where you are coming from, and it has nothing to do with how you act or teaching them who is boss. I have a pug who had a bad experience at the vet getting his nails clipped and they can no longer be done by anyone. We have brought him to the vet and a groomer, as well as trying to do them ourselves. Our vet remained calm and offered him treats like crazy and had to stop as he said without a doubt the dog would have a heart attack if he kept doing them. Its not a case of a dog getting pissed off over getting their nails cut and acts out, it's a case of all out fear of getting them done.

Sounds like a case for long walks on cement sidewalks.

I just brought my dog to the vet (who clipped too far and made the nail bleed and the dog yelp) but she gave me some good-sounding advice: play with his paws everyday so he's used to them being handled. Worth a shot, I think.