How to put in eye/ear meds?

[groupieindenial]

Any techniques you guys use for putting eye ointment, or ear cleaning stuff in your dogs eyes/ears? I use to be able to do this, now he fights me. He's got an eye infection again, probably my fault always wiping his morning eye goop. I now make sure i use a dampened saline solution to clean them. I'd hate to force it, holding him against his will to do this, I don't want his trust with me to decrease over this. I left the eye ointment out the other day, I try to keep it handy so when he's sleepy I can maybe quickly sneak it in, but he munched it to peices when I wasn't looking (it was pretty much empty though). Little bugger saw the op to destroy the thing mummy pokes him in the eye with!

[Bruce Lanthier]

It's like clipping their nails. If you have to hold them still to do it, that is how you do it. It won't decrease their trust in you and actually may help strengthen your relationship in a good way. Not all dogs will lay there and let you do all manner of things although some will. Just don't make it a contest of wills. Use enough force to stabilize him to get the job done and get done efficiently and quickly.

[carolynnl4]

And show no mercy or weakness! You know you're doing something good for him, and you're not damaging him, so just do it. Athena is very quick to sense hesitation or concern on my part, and will immediately start squirming or try to bite the cleaning utensil I'm using (usually a hypoallergenic baby wipe).
And of course, I totally agree with Bruce -- eventually Vegas will realize that he's NOT going to win, and stay still to get it over with faster. (With Athena, it helps to leave a treat within plain sight -- she knows she'll get a reward and stays. Dunno how well this would work with other dogs.)

[groupieindenial]

Well I found something on here on how to put eye drops in, but I have the ointment that seemed to work last time. The ointment I "had" is to put it in the corner of his eye, and he HATES it! Squirms with all his might, bites at the air at me showing me his dislike for it. I'd definately need a hand to do so with force. He does let me do things that don't bother him, like nail clipping, even lets me file them! He lets me wipe his eyes, but when he sees the ointment he starts huffing and avoiding me.

[moondog]

Trying to "sneak" up on him when he's least expecting it (sleepy) would surely erode trust. Better to be up front about it...hold his head firmly against your leg to keep it steady while medicating and if he wants to back up, put his cute little butt in a corner. When putting ointment in eyes, always position the tube parallel to his face and not perpendicular to avoid poking him in the eye. Talking to him will help, too...."What a goofball...I know you'd prefer we not do this, but it's good for you" or just tell him a story!

[groupieindenial]

No no, not when he's sleeping (cuz I still need his eye open), just when he's chilling, being lazy, he won't put up as much of a fight. Actually he still perks up pretty quick when he realizes what I'm doing. I think the problem is that i have to put the ointment right in the eye, and I think drops will be easier to dispense. I am due to see the vet soon, I will probably book it sooner than later so I can get drops instead for it. It seems to be getting better, but not as quickly as I'd like it without any meds on hand. I'll try holding his head beside my leg, and the corner thing too. First things first though, more drops.

[diddybopper04]

In order to successfully apply eye and ear medications, you must control the dog's head. Once the dog understands that you CAN and WILL control his head, MANY things in life are easier for both dog and handler.

I start when puppies are VERY young, gently restraining head and muzzle while they are enjoying another pleasant activity such as eating or being petted. While they may not particularly care for it in the beginning, as time goes along, they learn it's a necessary part of life. Not necessarily pleasant, but unavoidable and necessary. Like nail clipping, mouth exams, and applying meds.

With your dog I would work on head restraint first, before you use it to apply the meds. Stand facing the dog with the dog sitting. The dog should be wearing a close fitting collar, preferably a buckle. Put the fingertips of your left hand with the palm up low on the dog's neck and slide them up so that your middle 3 fingers go under the collar from the bottom. I usually then pull the collar up and forward so that I can also get these fingers into that hollow directly under the lower jawbone called the "handle". Once you do this a few times and get used to it, you can control ALMOST any dog with one hand. Praise the dog and reward him for allowing your restraint. Pet him and do something pleasant with your right hand while you are holding him. Once he has learned to relax and be still while you do this, you can then use your right hand to put in meds. If someone shows you how, you can pull the lower eyelid down while still holding the collar and put the drops in. Ears pretty much the same way.

Or sometimes I cheat and just use the grooming table and the noose.

For any of you who have dominance issues, once you are started on some successful rank reduction, this is a good way to continue letting a dog know just who is his leader and in control.

When you have a dog who understands about head and muzzle control, you have no trouble with meds, mouth exams, ear exams, etc etc etc.

Watch pro handlers in the ring, and you will see marvelous examples of head control and dogs who are trained to tolerate it.

[groupieindenial]

Thanks Diddy, that sounds like it could work. He's only 5 mos, and he does tolerate a lot of types of handling, its just when he sees the ear and eye stuff, cuz they bug him. I will try this technique before using any meds, and see if it works/if I'm doing it right. I'm trying to visualize what you've said, and I think i got the picture. I'll let you know if i have problems.