How to Trim Your Dog's Nails
From your Dogs Guide

Trimming your dog's nails is important and fairly easy to do yourself.

Time Required: 5 to 20 minutes

1. Find a comfortable spot for your and your pet. Small dogs can be done in your lap, larger ones on the floor.
2. Put your dog in a laying down position.
3. Roll her onto her stomach, manually, or have her do it.
4. Take the first paw, it does not matter which one you start with. Using the file, clean the dirt from under her nail. Be careful!
5. Locate the "Quick", the vein theat travels under his nail.
6. Take your clippers and cut the front of the nail off, not too close to the Quick.
7. File the sharp edges down with the file.
8. Continue with the rest of the nails on that paw.
9. Praise your dog effusively, give her a treat.
10. Start on the next paw.
11. Repeat.
    

Tips:

1. Before attempting this, acclimatize your dog to having his toes handled.
2. Be calm. Your nervousness will transmit to your dog.

More How To's from your Guide to Dogs