Can't put eye drops in. Help?

Ohh, that's a dangerous habit to allow a dog to inflict on an owner/guardian.  You can *make* a muzzle out of either a torn up sheet or strip gauze.  You'll need at least a yard long to go down, cross under the muzzle, around the muzzle again, cross under the chin and then tie at the back of the head (all done with the dog squirming). 

the problem is the FIRST time the dog effectively tells you "no" and bites and you walk away you have **taught** that dog that behavior is acceptable and rewarded that behavior by walking away (which is what the dog wanted).  Man, this dog would be strictly on "nothing in life is free" at my house ALL the time and I would practice putting my hands anywhere, anyplace, any time or the dog doesn't eat.  Meals would be given ONE kibble at a time (yes it takes time) but there would need to be complete submission and a nice dog. 

Given that you've already got the problem -- the difficulty is that you probably now have an eye infection **resistant** to that antibiotic.  Once it's given a couple of times and the bacteria is allowed to flourish and grow, then a whole truckload of it isn't going to work.

You likely need to go back to the vet and tell the vet what's going on -- and see if the problem can be addressed another way. 

 You may need also to do some sort of tranquilizer (even valerian tincture -- which is an herb and can be mixed in peanut butter or tahini) to be able to accomplish whatever meds you have to give.  Even if you have to sedate this dog for a few weeks JUST to accomplish this, it's probably worth being able to treat the problem or the dog's sight ... at the very *least* ... could be forfeit.  With some infections they will just go systemic and/or into the brain and it can cause further problems. 

I actually prefer a home-made muzzle to the commercial kind - harder to slip off, I think. I'm sure you could google it and find a video, even.

Also, are they actual DROPS, or an ointment? When it's an ointment I prefer to wash my hands well, put a dab of the medicine on the tip of my finger, and then you can pull down their lower eyelid and kinda smear it on the inside...MUCH less scary for the dog than this weird-o tube coming at them. But wash those hands first!

Chained2Darren

an ointment would probably be easier, but unfortunately it's drops, which is why it's so hard. we can't hold her head still long enough to get the drops in. and she has these enormous long eyelashes that the drops get caught on if we do manage to squeeze it out.

Why you cant hold the head long enough? I would think that is exactly what a vet would do. One holds the head and the other person open the eyes with one hand puts the drops in with the other

I would not blame her for having a human come to her shaking with a bottle that puts something on her eye but is for her own good.

Chained2Darren

the food thing wouldn't work. sometimes she doesn't eat just because, and we actually have to feed her one kibble at a time lol. she's very neurotic. and i don't think we would be able to make a muzzle because she's a shih tzu so she really doesn't *have* a muzzle because her face is so smushed. we actually have given her tranquilizers before when we take her to the groomers, but whatever we've been giving her for that doesn't seem to be working. it just makes her really tired, which makes her more angry because she gets cranky when she's tired, so she bites more. so unless we gave her something that would knock her out completely, it probably wouldn't work =/

Hi 

I have to put eyedrops into my mini poodle twice a day every day without fail. :( I am lucky though in that she is a happy girl, and has learnt that while bad things happen, they don't last too long, and there are no problems. She is the sort of dog that will just stand there will  having a vet exam or a groom, but that was trained...

Firstly, you need to prepare yourself. You need to be calm, and assertive. Those drops are going in no mucking about. You need to do it firmly but not harshly. Put her up on a surface so that it is easy for you.  Wear those safety chain- mail gloves if you have to , she isn't going too far into those.

Dogs who get a bite in take some extinction. I really think that you have some real problems and issues that need the help of a quallified trainer. It is no life for a dog to be afraid of so many things that it feels agression is a valid answer.

I never feed for dogs getting fussy. As you might know, Poodles can pull the same number. The rule is simple. There is your meal, you have five minutes, and what isn't eaten is gone. I can  guarantee that any sane dog will eat before they die of starvation. It is so important to lay this ground rule down. By doing this, both of our dogs are keen on a wide range of food and we have the basis of a great training option.