How to treat my dog when she won't cooperate?

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

My dog has a bad ear infection and severe conjunctivitis...

She's been prescribed a course of treatment lasting several months, but she absolutely won't let us get near her :(

We need to give her ear drops and eye drops, but she bites and struggles... What can I do?

We've tried using treats as rewards, but nothing seems to work...

Thanks

Translated from French
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5 answers
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    • M
    Miss45 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi everyone.

    Mine is in the same boat. He’s got conjunctivitis, and he thrashes around, tenses up, and growls—he’s almost at the point of biting. I hold him by the scruff and try to go gently, but as soon as I touch his eyes for a soft wash and then the drops, it’s a total nightmare. I have to pin him on his side while he kicks out... anyway. After a long battle, I give him a cuddle and tell him what a good boy he’s been for getting through it. He’s clever though, because unfortunately, as soon as I reach for the drops or the wipes, he hides. I have to bribe him with treats to get him to come to me. It’s emotionally exhausting. Any advice? Thanks.

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    G
    Gypsi12 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi everyone, thanks to all of you for the great advice on the care I'm going to have to give Filou. His ears are in a really bad way, so I’m taking him to the vet this Monday or Tuesday.
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I'm trying, but it's a real struggle.

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    Docline
    Docline Icon representing the flag French
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    I tend to do any treatments on my lap, after giving them some soothing strokes (on the sofa, for instance, when it’s the bigger dog). My spaniel stays completely relaxed and lets me get on with it, even in really painful situations like when she punctured an eye; when she was a puppy, she was a "guinea pig" for a trainee masseuse, and I don't know if that's why she’s always so trusting when being treated. The Aussie, on the other hand, is a bit of an ordeal to get to cooperate, even if he isn't in any pain; you have to talk to him a lot in a soothing voice, like ***** said, before you can even get an object near his head. The Coton lets you do it but looks like a total martyr... I've concluded that it really depends on each individual dog.
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there! When it comes to eye drops, what I did with my girl was get some treats, have her lie on her side and—pop—put them in her eye. Then I'd give her a treat and plenty of praise, saying "yessss, good girl" in a really soft voice; you mustn't get cross or speak coldly to them. For ear drops, I sit on the floor with her and rest her head on my knee, then put the drops in and give her a big fuss. It’s completely normal for them to be reluctant at first, but you just need to keep praising them and stay gentle—don't try to force it.

    Translated from French

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