Aside from massaging, are there any other ways to get a dog use to

[Ama]

having it's paws handled? My dog is ten/eleven months old, before I got her I read a puppy care and training book and it stressed that it is important for a dog to get use to having their paws handled/their nails touched. So when I got her I made sure to massage her paws every day and get her use to it and she began to enjoy it. However I'm afraid to clip a dogs nails(It took me two years just to work up the courage to clip my ferrets nails and I could only do that because there is a 'cheat' that makes it easier). Because of my fear my dog gets her nails clipped at the groomers when she gets groomed(every six weeks).

I think this last time they may have clipped her nails too short-although there was no bleeding or no show that she had bled when I picked her up, I noticed that whenever I touched her paws/nails after this past grooming(about two weeks ago) she would flinch and pull her paw away. I have been massaging her paws since noticing this but it doesn't seem to be working as she seems very stressed/stiff whenever I touch her paws/nails.

Are there any other ways to get a dog use to having it's paws handled/nails touched aside from massaging?

 

[hudsongray]

Start running your hands down her shoulders and legs while she's standing, but stop at the 'wrists' about 4 inches above the floor. Talk/whisper to her that she's a good dog as you do this. Gradually go down a little further each day till you reach the paw and try leaning her a tad to one side to pick up that paw. Do it a little more each day, with praise she'll accept her paws being handled again.