Dog Paws

Question
Hi, I really hope that you can help me out or at least give me an insight as to what I should do.  I have a six year old male pug/westie dog.  I have had him since he was about four months old, he is my baby boy!!  Here are my questions:

1)  I don't know when, but somewhere along the way, Shep had a bad experience with a nail clipping.  I don't take him to PetSmart anymore because he freaks out when he gets there.  Plus they charge me twice as much to cut his nails because it takes two people.  (he is 17 pounds, I don't know why they need two people)  So my sister that worked at a Vet, showed me how to cut his nails, thinking that he will be better with me.  Not so much.  And I think that it might have to do with the 2nd question.

2)  I noticed that lately Shep has been licking the inside of his Paws.  To the point that they get puffy and red.  Is he allegric to something?  I also noticed that his paw skin peels and when it peels, there is a new paw coming out.  Kind of like when we get a sunburn, the new skin is already there when we peel, same with paw.  Sometimes he will limp because the paw is senstive to touch.  And try to clip his nails when they are sensative, that is out of the question.  

3)  Is there something that I can give hime to help him relax or "sleep" so I can clean his paws and clip the nail.  I just need like 15 minutes to clean and clip.  Is there anything that I can give him so I can take care of his paws?  

Thank you - Tab and Shep

Answer
Hello Tab and Shep.  Ask your sister to show you the submission method of lying a dog down and then have someone else clip his nails.  if she is not familiar with this e-mail me back and I will give you details.  As for the feet, dogs do get a version of athletes foot.  Whether it is caused by excess moisture or allergies in the grass it is there.  treat the feet with athletes foot cream for humans, leave on for 5 to 10 min. then wipe the majority off,  during this time occupy him with holding him and pets, or feeding him at this time, anything so that he does not lick it off.  You have to find a way to get the bacteria level down, sometimes antibiotics will help.  As for relaxing him, other than getting something from the vet you could try Benadryl for children, the dosage is 1 tsp. per 12 pounds, and if you give him a little more than he will probably be slightly sleepy.  This may help his swollen feet as it is an antihistamine.  Vets will recommend this as an alternative to cortisone.  Thanks for asking, Cindy Lou :)