Eye drops HELP??

[Dianna Ruiz]

My doodle has allergies & I need to give him eye drops. Any suggestions? I was holding him, hubby tried the drops, lil sister had a teaspoon of peanut butter. He actually snapped @ hubby. Never, ever, has done that ever.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It may be the holding and restraining him that makes him uncomfortable and causing him to panic-snap.  Understandable.   Just do the best you can, gently. Don't expect perfection or precision.  Eye drops can burn somewhat.  If it is not an emergency, just introduce this more slowly.  Expect it to take awhile to perfect.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I usually do this while they are sleepy and are having a cuddle.  I would not make a big drama nor use other people to hold him.  You just have to wait for an opportunity to arise and try not to stress over it.  It may take a while to get the drops in!  Good luck.

[Diana Erhart]

When Charlie needed eyedrops as a puppy I would sit on the floor and put him on his back between my legs.  Holding him with my legs I would then rub his tummy and try to get him to relax.  When he was relaxed then I would lean forward and put the drops in his eyes.  At first you may need an extra person to put the drops in while you rub the tummy.  Hope this helps!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Gently pull out the lower lid, making a dish to drop the liquid into.

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

Practicing muzzle control is the best way to get your dog used to this! Here is a tutorial from our puppy training class. You can start doing this several times a day when you are NOT putting the drops in....then a couple of the times you will actually be putting the drops in. In about a week he should be used to it. MUST practice several times/day! Be consistent. If he fights you do NOT RELENT! You have to get him to submit. It will be beneficial to all! :)

Restraint – The first subordinate position for your puppy should be on his side with his paws pointing away from you. Your hands should hold down his hips, shoulders, neck and head. In the beginning you will hold your puppy in this subordinate position until he has been still under just the weight of your hands, for only about 5 seconds. Over the next week you will slowly expect longer periods of submission from your pup before releasing him. Ultimately you should be able to submit him under just the weight of your hands for minutes at a time.

 

Muzzle control – You will take control of your puppy’s muzzle without placing any pressure on his muzzle. Hold his collar firmly in your left hand. Then place the palm of your right hand on the left side of your dog’s muzzle while allowing your thumb to rest on the top of his muzzle and our pinky and ring finger to lightly grip the underside of his muzzle. You will maintain control of your dog’s muzzle if he pulls back by pulling forward on the collar, if he pushes his head to your right, use the palm of your hand, if he pushes your hand to the left, use the heel of the hand that is holding the collar and if he pushes his muzzle up use your thumb. When he truly submits he will rest the weight of his muzzle on your pinky and ring finger. In the beginning you will simply expect your puppy to hold still and not struggle for about 5 seconds. Over the next week you will slowly expect him to resist struggling for minutes at a time. Ultimately you want your puppy to truly submit for minutes at a time.

[Bonnie and Kona]

This is so interesting. Thank you for posting. I don't know if it will work with adult dogs but I might be trying it with my big guys. I want them to lie down while I shave their bellies. I can't get them to do it on the grooming table, just on the deck. Obviously that means I am not in control. haha

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

Contrary to popular belief, a dog can be trained new things at ANY age! ;)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

When I have had to use eye meds (his has been more ointment that I put in by pulling the lid down) on our Springer, I make sure not to go over his head. I approach him from the front. He is a pretty easy guy to medicate (ears, eyes, pills) but I do think it is better not to go over their head and be calm about it.  Be sure to use the stay and sit, or stay and down commands or like others have suggested, try when they are asleep.

Minga and Malu's suggestions for training purposes are great.