Is there an easy, safe, pain-free way to cut dog’s nails? My dog has black nails and it's hard to see how much I'm supposed to cut without it bleeding.

Most dogs dislike having their nails trimmed. Inside the nail there is living tissue filled with sensitive nerves. If you cut too close to the root, this tissue bleeds and it hurts. In pale-colored nails you can actually see the darker vein that flows down to the tip of the nail but in black veins it is not visible. I would get a lesson from your vet before trying this on your dog. The best time to clip nails is after you give your dog a bath because the nails have been softened by warm water. Use a sharp, guillotine-type clipper and replace the blade at least twice a year before it bets blunt. They also make electric nail grinders, which are good for dogs who are bothered by the sound of the nail clippers.