Every month, we have to battle with our dog to get her Frontline/Advantix flea and tick medicine on. We've tried everything--coaxing her with treats, trying to hold her still while we squirt the medicine on her back, sneak attacking her . . everything. But she's absolutely terrified -- she'll run away when she sees the medicine. When we try holding her, she's squirming so much that it hurts both the person holding her and herself. And she's big enough that she's definitely not easy to hold down (she's over 50 lbs).
I'm at a loss. What's the best way to teach her the medicine won't hurt her? And the best way to put it on? Thanks for any tips.
2007-10-03 15:41:57 · 8 answers · asked by doza1621 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Hmm.. Get treats (food she really likes) and have her sit. and just show her the medicene and once hse will sit there praise her and give her treats. then slowly you inch the medicene closer and every time you get closer praise her when she stays there. Do this 2 times a day for 3 mintues. go slow and slowly move towards getting the medicene closer to her body. and when you eventually get to touch her with the medicene praise her a bunch and give her a lot of treats. so she will think let them do this = Praise, loving and treats.
and ALWAYS end on a good note! never end a training session with her running away. always a postive note
Or.. if that doesn't work.. there is something new "Revolution (SP?)" its more expiensive but it is flea and heartworm in one pill...
2007-10-03 15:47:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
ah yes...the joys of flea medicating. i have this same issue with my cockapoo and she is only 20 lbs...couldn't imagine if she was any bigger!
okay this sounds weird so bear with me....my dog LOVES peanut butter. so my husband and i got the bright idea of smearing some peanut butter (just a glob, smeared around) on the refrigerator. she walked up to it and started licking. she was so distracted by the peanut butter, she didn't notice me coming up behind her, spreading her fur, and squirting the advantix on. plus, she licked the fridge clean.
if you do try this (i know it sounds silly but it worked!) just spread around enough so that she will be having to lick for a while and not just eat a glob off...make her work a little bit.
you may want to practice finding the spot to apply it when you don't have the medicine in hand. learn where the spot between her shoulderblades is and if she has long hair, learn how to spread it apart in time. then, try and squirt the whole application on her back at once, right onto the skin. it takes some time but it is truly worth it. we have not had any fleas/ticks on her since! good luck!
2007-10-03 15:50:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have a little bowl of treats handy. Have her sit near you. Show her the tube, then give her a treat. Repeat until she is not at all concerned about the tube. Next step, touch the tube to her just a little bit, then give her a treat, etc. Slowly work your way up to putting your hand on her shoulders and rewarding her each time until she becomes desensitized to your touch. Brush and groom her. Practice picking up the skin on her neck gently. Part the hairs all over her body and pretend to "look" for things. The medicine doesn't sting or hurt, but it can feel funny as it spreads--kind of tickly. Putting it on right before dinner time may help distract her. She just needs to learn how to allow herself to be handled. I would kind of bet she isn't too great for nail trims or ear cleanings either? :)
2007-10-03 15:51:27 · answer #3 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to gradually desensitise her to it. Don't just come at her with the stuff. Spend a lot of time just sitting with her and stroking her, then stroking the back of her neck, then ruffling her fur as you would if you were applying the stuff. Do a lot of sorting through her neck hair, even tapping the skin there with your finger, without actually having the pipette around. When she's OK with this, try putting the actual stuff on - again, don't just come at her with it. Have it in your pocket, and then just sit with her as you have been doing. Wait til she's relaxed then actually put it on gently.
Yeah it's a loss of hassle, but if you work at it you should be able to gradually convince her that there's nothing to be worried about. Don't hold her down or scare her or you'll just reinforce her view that this is a scary thing.
Chalice
2007-10-03 22:34:38 · answer #4 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to get tough with her, be the dominant member of the pack and make her do what you want. That means scruffing her (like her mother would do) and speaking firmly to her and make her sit still. My dogs don't like me putting the Frontline on them, but they sit still long enough for me to do it. I have a 19 pound Sheltie and a 50 pound retreiver mix.
2007-10-03 16:00:04 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The safest and maximum inexpensive approach of doing away with fleas is to apply a mixture of boric acid and salt. The powder would desire to be sprayed on carpets, bedding and aspects frequented via your dogs.
2016-12-28 13:50:49 · answer #6 · answered by humphries 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know if u know but theres a pill for heartworkm and fleas they sell, it does not prevent ticks only fleas and heartworm, they sell it at petco. you might want to call your dog and give a treat and not let her see it, you give her a treat and pet her while someone carryfully puts the drop on her quickly without her seeing..
GOOD LUCK!
2007-10-03 15:48:38 · answer #7 · answered by Magic_Dance 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get peperoni from a just made ordered pizza and show it to him
orr when he is sleeping,, bam!
2007-10-03 15:51:36 · answer #8 · answered by young lovee. <33 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋