How do I trim my black lab's nails?

I know on most dogs, you trim below the blood vessel that you can see in the nail. But my lab's nails are black, so I can't see it! I have them trimmed whenever I take her to the vet, and do it myself whenever needed in between. But I tend to trim them longer than they need to be for fear of hurting her. Is there another way to see how short they should go?How do I trim my black lab's nails?
I think that grinding the nails with a Dremel is far easier than manual cutting on a dog with black nails. With the Dremel, you can see when you are getting close to the quick just by looking at the pattern on the bottom of the nail you are grinding. It takes practice but is totally easier over time. At least if you hit the quick with the Dremel you will only get a drop or two of blood. If you cut the quick with the nail trimmers it will bleed and bleed and bleed.How do I trim my black lab's nails?
wait. what? Don't trim the quick. that's the painful part. and NO the PediPaws is a useless plastic piece of crap, just in case anyone suggests it.





Take the trimmers and gradually trim the tips of the nail. as you grow more confident with the process take it down further until you are comfortable with where the nails are cut to without harming the dog. Get some stiptic powder in case you do cut the quick.





also, take the dog to the groomer or vet and ask them to show you how.
I've never had to trim my labs/retrievers nails, most of the time they keep them rubbed short as active as they are outdoors.
Take a hand grinder and get after it.