How To Give Medicine to a Dog Using a Dropper

Using a dropper is a skill that both you and your dog will perfect over time. The first dosage will be the hardest, as the dog does not know what to expect. It's important that you remain calm and in control at all times. Droppers are made of glass or plastic and can be easily bitten and broken by a large dog. Shards of shattered droppers must never be ingested by an animal as this may cause bleeding in the intestines. For oral medications, both dog and owner should be relaxed and in a good mood.

For smaller to medium sized dogs, try kneeling behind the animal and tilting his head back until his nose faces the ceiling. Have the dropper ready to go when the dog is in position, as a dog is not likely to cooperate for long. Open the dog's mouth and insert the dropper in the corner, as far back as possible. By inserting the dropper containing a pill or liquid medicine, if you aim far enough back on the lips the dog will not be able to pull the medicine out with his tongue. Solutions inside a dropper that are administered in the front portion of the tongue may be spewed out immediately.

Using a dropper with larger dogs may be a two person operation if the animal becomes resentful or aggressive towards his medication. You will need to have him sit down while you stand and get a firm grip on the dropper. Seconds count, so be prepared to squeeze the solution through the gaps in your dog's teeth, aiming toward the back of the lips for minimal regurgitation.

The dropper medication treatment should last only a few seconds, but be prepared for some complaints if a pill did not go down quickly. Medicine for animals does not taste any better than for humans, and your dog needs a moment to process it.

Treatments should always be given in the same spot in the house and at regular times, as this gives the dog a moment to brace himself for the medication. And always re-assure him afterwards with praise that it was a job well done. Treats are a treasured reward and should be reserved only for good behavior after he takes his dropper medication. If he believes that there's another way to get the treat, you might have a difficult patient on your hands. No matter what your reward technique, kindness is always the rule. Your dog wants to please you, so do everything you can to make that possible.