Only about the last 6 months I've trimmed Fister's nails, only front! I've used much the same tecnique as Amberlee - "sneaked" up when he was sleeping, or sitting in the windowsill, pretending it was cuddle time, getting hold of his paw and snip off a bit of one or two nails at a time - sometimes even three!! He really doesn't seem to be aware of what's happening. Before I start, he likes to sniff the scissors.