How best to trim black nails?

You trim a little bit at a time. If you quick the nail you just pack some flour on there and it will stop bleeding or you apply kwik stop.

I stop trimming once I see white in the nail because that means you are dangerously close the quick. Even the best of us quick a nail once in a while. It happens.

It looks like your dog is a chihuahua. If so go to the cat section and get a cat nail trimmer and use that. They work the best for trimming toy breeds nails.

My dogs personally prefer the dremmel though. The dremmel is fast and applies a lot less pressure. The squeezing of the nail makes my dogs flinch and they don't like that feeling.

I have one of the pedipaws things, and my dog doesn't freak out at all. If you are nervous about doing black nails, you can always take the dog to the groomers and have them do it.

Here's an excerpt from About.com explaining.

When wondering when and how to cut dog's nails, little and often is the best policy. Just nibbling off the ends of each claw will be less stressful for your dog - and yourself! The point to aim for is to trim off any bit that protrudes over your dog's pad. Thus, when he stands, your dog's claws should not touch the ground.

The good thing is, very much like our own nails, the more you trim your dog's nails, the more the quick will recede. Therefore, clipping dog nails doesn't have to be done all at once - take your time.

I make sure my dog gets at least a 30 minute walk a day on asphalt and or concrete.

I have not had to trim a dogs nails in at least 25 years.

I live in a hot summer climate, and they have all survived just fine.

I am talking about Sacramento.

For me, I have to be able to see the underside of the nail. If you look closely, you can see the "pulp" of the nail on the inside and the nail portion is growing in a half circle shape over and around it. (I swear one of these days I'm going to take a picture of my dog's nails before I trim them so I can write up a tutorial)

This is the best tutorial I have been able to find thus far.

http://www.westhillsanimalhospital.net/site/view/1...

if your dog's nails make noise on the floor as they are walking, they are too long. they dont need to be cut too short, also, if you trim just a little and use a good nail file, it will help with sharp edges. if you do cut the quick, you can just use corn startch. if you are too uncomfortable doing it yourself, you can go to a dog groomer, or usually your vet can do it for you

Desensitize and use a Dremel.

http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/d...

I would suggest a professional, just to be on the safe side. That way you won't hurt the dog or scare the dog.