I need help with Gizmo's temper

Having a dog that gets testy about these kind of treatments isn't having a bad tempered dog!  Pain and discomfort will make him more likely to snap as will the alien nature of things being poked in his ears!  Unless he is aggressive in other ways at other times then don't worry and forgive him.

Purchase a basket muzzle.  Stick a treat in one end of it.  Let him stick his nose in to get the treat.  Do this lots of times.  Eventually progress to fastening it behind his head and taking it off again.  Build up slowly and make him wear it at "happy" times, during play or walks so that the equipment itself doesnt carry a -ve connotation.  If you only ever use it when treating his ears or at the vets he will start to put up a fight as soon as he sees it!  This way you will be safe and the vet will thank you for making the visits easier.  Because you won't have to work through the "temper" each time, treatments and vet visits can be got over with faster and with less stress to the dog.

In addition, take him to the vets for a visit just to let the nurses give him a treat as often as you can.  And get him used to having his ears petted when you are not treating them.  Handle and groom him daily, slowly and kindly with the use of food rewards to help build positive associations. Make it a positive experience for him.  This way the "ear thing" won't generalise to a dislike and distrust of handling in general.

Poor thing, he's snapping because you're handling his infected ear and it probably hurts.
 
The muzzle isn't a bad idea, but with such a small dog what I would do is just have an assistant (your husband) hold him still for you. Give him treats if he'll take them and slowly, gently stroke him while you're administering his ear drops. This is highly unscientific but try talking him through it in a low, calm tone of voice. And also, I can tell you as someone who's had a lot of ear infections myself - it's important to warm up the ear drops. Having a cold drop hit an infected ear hurts like hell. Heat up a bowl/pan of water and let the bottle of ear drops sit in it for 5 min or so.

thank you so much for the info, I will try to do your suggestions tonight.
 
here is gizzy - he loves to eat snow
 

Thank you so much for the advice. Last night was a breeze. Gizmo did not snap at all and the meds went in without a problem. I warm the med bottle a little bit and while my stepdaughter was giving him tiny bits of cheese, I was giving him his ear meds.
 
It was a MIRACLE!!!
 
thank you

Poor little man.  It was obviously pain and not temper.  Glad you got it sorted anyway [sm=wink2.gif]

Miracles do happen.....[]
 
 
My 7 year old GSD gets ear infections due to allergies, but we praise him and make it a half way decent time when it comes to taking care of his ears, he actually lines up for the cleaning and drops......he s a good dog[]

Yay, I'm so glad it worked out! Hope Gizmo feels better soon. []

ORIGINAL: iluvfurbabies

I warm the med bottle a little bit and while my stepdaughter was giving him tiny bits of cheese, I was giving him his ear meds.

It was a MIRACLE!!!

thank you

That was a great idea, that way he almost does not even feel the ear med going in, also you are making it a positive experience by giving him something to eat "ear drops = food time", remember, you have to be calm so the dog realizes that there is nothing to be worry about, if you have a set back on his behavior is maybe because he is picking up that you were apprehensive about it and anticipating something wrong, but if you are calm he will know that everything is fine []

ORIGINAL: iluvfurbabies

Thank you so much for the advice. Last night was a breeze. Gizmo did not snap at all and the meds went in without a problem. I warm the med bottle a little bit and while my stepdaughter was giving him tiny bits of cheese, I was giving him his ear meds.

It was a MIRACLE!!!

thank you

Actually, his ear is probably starting to feel better already.  Ear infections really hurt, and many dogs get testy about being handled at times like that.  Glad he's doing better.