Dogs hate having their feet handled — possibly because they’re ticklish but more likely because it just doesn’t feel right to them. The fact is if you’re going to groom your dog, at some point your dog must get used to having you hold her feet.
Being able to handle your dog’s feet when grooming is essential. You need to hold them when you’re:

• Clipping your dog’s toenails or trimming the fur between her paw pads
• Checking your dog’s feet for foreign bodies such as burrs, foxtails, thorns, and other stickers that can cause her to limp
• Examining your dog for other injuries

You can help your dog acclimate to having her legs and feet touched in much the same way you work with her to accept grooming procedures. After choosing a time when your dog’s a little tired and maybe a little hungry and finding a quiet place where you can spend a little time together (your grooming place is a great spot), try the following:

• Pick up and then set down your dog’s paws one at a time.
  Observe her reactions as you pick up her feet. Don’t hold them for any length of time — just a quick pickup, look-see, and then put them down. If she reacts negatively, try distracting her with a bit of food as you pick up the paws.
• Repeat the paw pick-up and put-down process several times a day.
  Don’t lengthen the sessions until your dog becomes comfortable with the procedure.
• Gradually lengthen the amount of time you’re holding the paw when you pick it up.
  Increase your holding time by a second or two until your dog is comfortable with you separately picking up all four feet. Distract her with food whenever necessary.
  If your dog shows any sensitivity or nervousness, don’t push the process. Although you may be tempted, don’t hang onto your dog’s foot any longer, or hold it tighter, than your dog will allow. Reduce or increase the amount of time spent on this step according to whether your dog’s nervousness continues or abates. If it continues, go back to step 1 and work from there.
• Try a light one- or two-second massage as your dog becomes more comfortable with having her feet held.
  Rub each toe individually rather than just holding the foot. The sensation may be new to your dog and a little scary, so be brief.
• Gradually increase the amount of time you spend massaging your dog’s paws.
  Your dog soon finds out that it’s easy to relax and enjoy the massages. Be sure to move these sessions into your grooming area, if you haven’t already done so.

Eventually your dog grows accustomed to having her feet handled. When you start clipping her toenails, try clipping the nails on only one paw at a time so you don’t have to hold her in one place for so long. Just trim the tips; don’t try to cut a lot off at this time.