Hello. Can anyone tell me in this specific scenario how they would best-fix the problem?

I put expand-a-pans on some Duke #4s. The pan sits way too low.

I've bent up enough traps to know I should ask.

Would you mess with the dog, the trap, or the pan? Thank you for your help.

Use a large pliers and bend the post where the dog is connected to out a little.

Yep bent the post back that the dog hooks to. O and some advice DO NOT set up big pans like regular ones you want them to have to go down a bit more due to the extra length also you want more poundage. 3lbs on the middle will only be like 2-1.5 on the edge.

Thanks. I know this method but I always screw up the trap when I do that. I was wondering if shaving down the pan might help? Or shaving down the dog. See how nice and level it all is now? If I bend it out, it often will bend the entire base.

Thanks WolfDog91 and Thanks Coon Duke, I guess I'll try it. I might just put in the vice so I don't bend the base plate because I've done that.

These traps will have 5lbs of pan tension specifically to do (hopefully) the Billingsley front foot set for beaver (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNSVx68ccsk)