I too had to fight to get those nails clipped until I read Vicki DeGray's article at www.canismajor.com/dog/nailsv.html it was on Dr P's Dog Training Library web site. It worked great with our young wild indian and our older lab, with hip dysplasia (didn't want to put her up on the table) we just clipped hers on the floor with her laying down. The distractant summer sausage worked like a charm. I just take small amounts off their nails and do it more often than taking too much at a time. I don't necessarily bend their foot to do it, I just clip where I can. Good luck!