He was in pain and knew you were trying to help him.... They are a lot smarter than people realize.

Mine will allow me to clip their nails if I catch them in the right mood, but their mood has to be exactly right. Usually that is when I first get back from work, they want attention so are willing to let me do just about anything with them...LOL!

It has taken this long for Samantha to realize I will NOT cut her nails back to her paw like her former Mom did and she is far more accepting of having them clipped now.

Boo allows it now but only when I first get home. Once and awhile I can snip them when she is in a especially loving mood.