PADS:
You want to cut the hair level with the pads, you don’t want to go in between the pads because your dog will get itchy when the hair starts growing in and start gnawing at the pads. Also cut this area (over the top pad), clean that up just an 1/8 ” is fine. Pull the hair through from the top and cut from the bottom.
Note: If the bottom of the pads are cracked and dry, I recommend rubbing them with Bag Balm (you can purchase this at Walmart) – it will soften up those pads usually with one application.