Quote:
Originally Posted by QuickSilver 
I don't know if you are familiar with desensitizing dogs generally. Usually it does take a while. For an extreme case like that, I would start when he's very relaxed and maybe getting his belly rubbed. Then I would just touch his paw for a second, say "good boy", and go back to rubbing his belly. I would do this several times in one session, probably twice a day. Then the next day, I would touch his paw for two seconds. Then after a week, I would try holding his paw for just a second. Then after a two weeks, work up to examining his paw with the clippers nearby. Then after three weeks, maybe cutting a nail, with lots of praise and treats.
It does take a long time, but OTOH, so do meds. Maybe you've already tried this approach, just wanted to throw it out there.
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Agree with this.
There was an episode of Dog Whisperer where he did this exact thing actually, rubbing the belly, calming, etc. I forget what kind of dog but it took an hour to just clip 1 nail but eventually, the dog becomes desensitized to it.