advice on giving ear medication

Strong little bugger, isn't she!

I have always been advised not to double team.  It could lead to distrust.

Someone once advised spreading peanut butter on a wall or cabinet and while the dog is enjoying the taste, sneak in the medicine.  Honestly, that didn't work with Heidi.

What I end up doing is taking the dog in a room where they can't escape (bathroom).  Keep myself calm, calm, calm.  Absolutely no anxiety that could travel to them.  Feed something exceptionally yummy like drippy roast beef.  Tell them what I'm about to do, then just be quick.  Then follow up with more exceptionally yummy food.  Its not an easy task...I know.

Good luck!

In honesty this is a TRAINING thing -- waiting until you have to give meds while the dog is hurting is ALWAYS going to be tough.  If you gang up on her she's going to be scared and she WILL fight.

Sit down on the floor with her.  Call her over and pet her and just TALK to her.  Have **high value  treats** come on -- don't be stingey -- she's scared and this hurts, so break out the best you've got.

As you pet her, give her a couple of treats and then just let her GO.  DO NOT TRY to attack her the instant she sits with you or you'll make her distrust you.

After a few minutes call her back over while you are on the floor AGAIN.  Show her the bottle.  Tell her it's gotta go IN her ear, but ... later.  Treat her and let her go AGAIN.

Next time have her sit .... just LOOK in her ear.  TREAT.  Let her go AGAIN.

Next time.  have her sit -- still on the floor WITH her.  Treat.  Talk to her.  Show her the bottle and treat again ... and still talk to her.  Tell her you will try to keep this easy but to just relax.  You are helping.  (at my house we use that word "helping" a LOT -- any time they get meds, any time there is a scarey vet visit.  Any time they have to allow you to do something scarey -- acknowledge what they're going thru.

Pull her back against you ... and give her more treats.  croon to her.  Be PATIENT.  Don't let your own muscles contract and get tense.  Tell her how awesome she's being and that you're trying to be gentle.  Show her the bottle but again tell her you've just got to put a little in there and to hang on you're **trying** to keep this easy but that medicine is gonna help.  If you have another human walk up with something awesome in their hands but NOT TOUCH HER.

Even if you have to put some of the goo on your finger.  That applicator can hurt -- when done cuddle her and tell her she's wonderful and that was scarey but you'll try to make it worth her while.

Jumping the dog and pinning them down only makes the next 100 times impossible.  this is a training thing. 

And ... hereafter??  Play with her ears.  Play with her feet.  Play with her mouth.  TEACH HER to take pills and medicine.

My dogs ALL know how to take yogurt off a spoon.  They ALL know how to take baby food off a spoon.  why?  Because then when they gotta take meds IN it -- it's easy.  You show them the med and say "this is in your yogurt -- just swallow.  THEN it tastes good".

Reward heavily.  But in between applications of the ear goop DO NOT just ignore her.  Sit on the floor and call her to you JUST for cuddles.  You don't want her to fear your embrace -- but you DO want her to know that sometimes you ARE gonna hang onto her.

Make sense?

CoBuHe

Strong little bugger, isn't she!

I have always been advised not to double team.  It could lead to distrust.

Someone once advised spreading peanut butter on a wall or cabinet and while the dog is enjoying the taste, sneak in the medicine.  Honestly, that didn't work with Heidi.

What I end up doing is taking the dog in a room where they can't escape (bathroom).  Keep myself calm, calm, calm.  Absolutely no anxiety that could travel to them.  Feed something exceptionally yummy like drippy roast beef.  Tell them what I'm about to do, then just be quick.  Then follow up with more exceptionally yummy food.  Its not an easy task...I know.

Good luck!

See -- Barb's saying much the same thing -- if you tag team them you're screwed.  Then they think they MUST distrust you.  REWARD IT BIGTIME.  and yeah -- a little peanut butter on the cupboard just beyond your elbow isn't a bad thing.  but don't mess up your bond.  And compensate her -- she deserves it.

calliecritturs

CoBuHe

Strong little bugger, isn't she!

I have always been advised not to double team.  It could lead to distrust.

Someone once advised spreading peanut butter on a wall or cabinet and while the dog is enjoying the taste, sneak in the medicine.  Honestly, that didn't work with Heidi.

What I end up doing is taking the dog in a room where they can't escape (bathroom).  Keep myself calm, calm, calm.  Absolutely no anxiety that could travel to them.  Feed something exceptionally yummy like drippy roast beef.  Tell them what I'm about to do, then just be quick.  Then follow up with more exceptionally yummy food.  Its not an easy task...I know.

Good luck!

See -- Barb's saying much the same thing -- if you tag team them you're screwed.  Then they think they MUST distrust you.  REWARD IT BIGTIME.  and yeah -- a little peanut butter on the cupboard just beyond your elbow isn't a bad thing.  but don't mess up your bond.  And compensate her -- she deserves it.

Let me know if you want a few, I have about 100 baskillion (no, not really, probably 3 or 4 LOL) and I'll drop 'em in the mailbox. Your vet might just give them to you, if you ask.