If you want to give it a try, you can try to slowly get him used to the experience. That’s what we did with our dogs. At first, don’t do any trimming. Just get him used to having his paws handled. Have him lie down and have another person give him super tasty treats. While he’s getting treats, you examine his paws and claws by hand. He may look back at you from time to time, but eventually he’ll just be focused on the treats. It may take a few sessions, but eventually he won’t care that you’re touching his paws. Then you can try some sessions where you do a bit of light filing with a regular nail file. This isn’t to file his nails. It’s to get him used to the feeling of the nails being filed down. Just do it lightly and on a few of the claws. Eventually, he should get the point where he doesn’t care about the filing and is just focused on the treats. If you can get to this point, you can try introducing the Dremel.
At first, just have the Dremel turned on nearby while you’re examining his paws so he gets used to the noise. He’s probably already anxious about it. Once he ignores the sound, then you can try filing his nails with the Dremel. Use a corded Dremel rather than a battery powered one because they are powerful and not too loud. The battery powered ones may have more issues with having enough power, being too loud, or dying too soon. You can use a normal Dremel, but having a flexible shaft will be more convenient. Also, a flexible shaft will keep the motor farther away from his ears so it’s quieter. Use a fast speed and a fine sanding band with a light touch on a few claws at a time to get him used to the feel. Your technique should be similar to how a dentist uses a drill on a tooth. You wouldn’t want a dentist to use a rough bit and put a lot of pressure on your tooth. Move over the claw rather than staying in one spot to avoid too much pressure or heat. Do a light sanding on the sides of the tips of the claws to thin them out. You will shorten them a bit, but you will also thin them so they will wear down quickly. Don’t try to get them filed down to the proper length all at once. The point right now is just to get him used to the experience. Assuming this goes well, you’ll be able to do more and more filing in more sessions until you’re filing all his nails in one session and he’s just focused on the treats.
When it becomes routine, it may need to be done 2-3 times a week. It just takes a few minutes to keep them at the proper length. I usually do it in the afternoon, as that’s when they’re naturally relaxed and sleepy. I keep the special treats and Dremel together in our bedroom where I do their nails. All I have to do now is shake the treat box and they come lie down so I can do their nails. You could try this to see how far you can get. Hopefully, he’ll get accustomed to it enough that you can do it at home without any sedative meds.