Tips And Tricks For Giving Dogs Their Medication

[stormie]

down the throat here too - though not as easy with a dane because you end up putting half your arm in to get the pill at the back of the throat! But usually gets a treat afterwards, mostly to help him swallow it down properly too. If the pills are small, I'll sometimes put them in a slice of folded cheese.

[SkySoaringMagpie]

Another one who doesn't stuff around with hiding it in food. We also use a pill popper when we have to medicate.

It sounds like it's become a big hairy deal now, and the dog has probably picked up on that. Agree with getting someone to show you and even if you don't feel calm and confident, fake it. If you want it to be no big deal signal "no big deal" to the dog.

Also, you can make life easier for yourself if you make sure that you do things around his head and mouth that are nothing to do with medication. If the only time you ever go for his head and mouth is when you're about to do something unpleasant they'll make an association accordingly. If it's a bit of a lottery (could be a pat, could be treat, could be a look, could be a pill) it's easier.

[Crisovar]

I don't stuff around with hiding meds in foods. It takes two seconds to open a dogs mouth and pop a pill down their throat. Then give them a treat when you're done.

Agree with SBT123...

Yep

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

I don't stuff around with hiding meds in foods. It takes two seconds to open a dogs mouth and pop a pill down their throat. Then give them a treat when you're done.

ETA: I wouldn't stand for any snappyness either, it's just not on.

Open his mouth a little and pop a small piece of cheese or something that he likes on his tongue. Open his mouth a bit wider each time you do it. Once you can open it wide enough, pop his meds in and then give him a treat.

You need to be able to do this, incase there is a day when he's not eating.

totally agree. i have always done this with my dogs.

in fact my dogs will sit and take pills like a treat because i have always made it something the just do.. no fuss, here is your pill, do you want to eat it?...no?....ok then, open up, pill down throat.

now i open the mouth and put the pill down the side of the throat NOT the middle. doesnt seem to bother the dogs as much doing it this way and its easier to do because they cant use their tongue to push it up/out

Edited March 19, 2010 by Jaxx'sBuddy

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I put any pills (in halves) in something sticky like a third of a cheese triangle, works well!

[wire]

My dog has a big mouth. I can take anything out of it but trying to get a pill down his gob is like fighting with a bull

[Sheridan]

I'd like to see any of the 'just pop it down his throat' people try it with my Grumpy. Not even his vet would chance it. It's the hide in food scenario for me.

[Gretel]

I'd like to see any of the 'just pop it down his throat' people try it with my Grumpy. Not even his vet would chance it. It's the hide in food scenario for me.

What does he do Sheridan? I used to work at a grooming salon attached to a vet surgery. One of our grooming clients was a little interesting to handle. On one visit he was to go upstairs for vaccination and worming. The vet vaccinated him but then couldn't get the wormer down and was going to send one home with him. I took it from her and popped it down his throat.

[Crisovar]

I'd like to see any of the 'just pop it down his throat' people try it with my Grumpy. Not even his vet would chance it. It's the hide in food scenario for me.

I have no idea as to the history of your dog, but any pup here learns from day one to accept medication by mouth, not one ever has been impossible to do.

Rescues can sometimes be testy to start with but have always come around in the end.

The cats are the same.

It is simply one of the things that I insist upon, medicating and nail clipping.

[spottychick]

Crsiovar, just curious. Have you ever had a dog bite you when you go to pick up his/her foot to clip claws? If so, what did you do (other than muzzling?)

[daccydog]

Yeap straight down the throat here on one of mine , BUT miss Jilly has a knack of spitting it back up ( how.. i do not know ) worst still i usually find the tab on the floor later on , so now i give her tab wrapped in a little bit of cheese , GONE and no drama's

DD

[Crisovar]

Crsiovar, just curious. Have you ever had a dog bite you when you go to pick up his/her foot to clip claws? If so, what did you do (other than muzzling?)

Not one of my own.

Rescues and Grooming clients yes, because so many are never taught to accept it from puppyhood, most can be won over if you take it slow get them used to having their feet handled and then do one nail at a time and treat or praise depending on what works with the dog.

The really nasty clients, well they are muzzled, but there are very few if they are regular.