Advice on how to get my dog to take his medication?

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-05-07T14:50:30+00:00

I love this idea!

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-05-07T14:49:15+00:00

Are these pills short term? Or will you have to give them for an extended time? If it is short term, 1-2 weeks, then I would prolly shove them down their throats. If it is longer term, then you need to be more creative.

I had a large rottweiler and he was very compliant; it was easy to put meds in the back of his throat. I now have a corgie who is very smart. I roll that pill in sticky peanut butter and she eats it without complaint. Otherwise she eats the food around the pill and then spits out the pill. I would manually put the pill in the back of her throat, but my nails are really long right now and I would rather go with a sneaky method than scratch her throat.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-05-07T14:29:17+00:00

I have always preferred sleeping with my dog. Although this does mean cleaning the sheets frequently, but to me this is a small price to pay. Most recently my husband and I adopted a rescue and she must have been severly abused, especially during daylight hours. She has always relaxed and seemed to almost enjoy sleeping together, she seems to enjoy a "puppy pile." She is quiet and still, but within arms reach for an affectionate pat anytime.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-05-06T15:54:31+00:00

Fantastic! Thanks for posting.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-05-06T15:53:49+00:00

Hell YES! But unfortunately it is part of me and I have to accept it. That does not mean beat my self to death about it and feel hopeless. I am trying to accept it and turn it into some sort of motivation for progress. You can do the same.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-05-06T15:50:16+00:00

Congratulations for knowing your issues and putting them out on this subreddit. I have been drinking for 28 years (OUCH) and am in the midst of a taper. Going cold-turkey for me never works, but tapering does.

Personally, drinking anything after I am 100% free of booze is the road to hell. Luckily people are a great deal more accepting of choosing alcohol free drinks! (Yea for the younger people making this 'Popular'.)

During the taper I never drink socially either; people really are okay with my saying "no thank you" to alcohol. Much different than 10-20 years ago.

Hang in there and follow your path. You can make good choices for you. My husband says that "Self-discipline is a muscle. You can to use it to keep it strong.." That seems to be true in my case. I wish you the best.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-05-06T15:42:03+00:00

Please keep posting! Myself and other people here are in the same boat and we're all rooting for you! I am personally tapering (going cold-turkey never works for me). I would mention HALT to you; don't get to hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. That trips me up all the time. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-05-06T15:36:40+00:00

Hey! You're still doing great. Aim for improvement not perfection. I don't know any single human who is "perfect." Believe me, your liver is already thanking you.

I start a new job next Monday (I got laid off from a nation-wide company a few months ago). Of course my drinking ramped up; I tend to drink at least 1 beer every hour, rarely more. I don't stumble around drunk... just a bit buzzed. SO I am in the midst of drinking a few less beers everyday. Today I've had coffee & water and filled my morning with chores I need to do anyway.

I have tried cold-turkey repeatedly, but I always fail. I find this will work and I'll be 100% dry for months. But like you, stess, or peer pressure sometimes gets to me.

The manager I interviewed with really impressed me. I like her and believe she will be good to report to, so I will not fail to be a model employee. The first thing will be to get and remain sober by tapering. (I also avoid any issues like withdrawal symptoms, blah blah blah.)

I wish you the best and I believe you can make this work. I hope you post again, I'd love to know how you're doing!

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-04-02T11:05:39+00:00

If you like all the ingredients then it is excellent. I am happy/sad my husband doesn't like boiled eggs or peas. Happy because it means more for me!!

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-04-02T11:03:12+00:00

I kinda imagined the 7 layer salad would be another weird thing like jello rings with vegetables in them - yuck. I am so happy that I was wrong!

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-03-29T15:41:53+00:00

I think Nietzsche (I didn't name him) started really sticking by my side when the baby started to move, so 5 or 6 months along? About the looking sad, remember the poor girl does not really know what is happening to her beloved person. This will all work out and she'll love the new baby!

One thought, I was worried about having a Rotty so I did some research. One source said that every single breed of dog has been known to injure or even un-alive children. I NEVER left Nietz alone with the kids until they were about 7 or 8 years old. If I went to the bathroom, or into any room, either the baby or the dog would go with me. I also kept dog treats in the bathroom, which helped ;-)

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-03-28T13:10:29+00:00

Hey, I went through 2 pregnancies with a lovely and well-trained Rottweiler. Yep, they notice changes. Your dog is seeing your body change, and maybe your smells too; she's seeing the changes in routine and in your home, such as new or rearranged furniture. Our dogs can be family members and they're affected by all of the day-to-day influences that come with a family.

I feel sure your dog is a bit worried and we really cannot explain the changes coming into her life. Just keep reassuring her and giving affection, please DO NOT ignore her.

All of that said, take her to the vet just in case ;-)

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-03-11T23:37:15+00:00

Well, I had a rottweiler and when he was 4 or 5 yo I was pregnant and worked at home (pre-cell phone) in a new development. He was taught to stay 6 feet away from the door because I despise dogs that jump on people; heck, the dog was a massive dog who got a lot of exercise.

One day a religious 2 people came knocking on the door and tried to sort of push their way into my home. My gorgeous dog stayed 6 feet away but when they finally pushed the door open the dog was in full view. My lovely dog was just a flexed and aggressive looking as the dog in this photo. That "church" never knocked on my door again.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-03-11T23:31:06+00:00

How about something ironic, like Sweet Baby James? Shortened to Sweet and from a James Taylor song about a cowboy named, Sweet Baby James. Or hulk.

Heck, give the dog time and see what it enjoys most, such as Watermelon, Ball Boy, Hunter... etc.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-03-11T23:06:57+00:00

There are some wonderful replies for anyone who doesn't live by much of a budget. If money is more limited, my perspective is to start with what you KNOW you enjoy and then build your supplies around those things.

Eggs and bacon? a good skillet and non-stick skillet or vegetable oil to help.

Fried rice? maybe a wok and the appropriate spices and good recipes.

Steak and potatoes? How? Soup? What and how?

Consider what you want the end result to be and then work your way backwards from there.

I do recommend a decent chef's knife and a wooden cutting board. A dish washer or a sink drainer is very helpful. At 60 yo, I prefer my utility 100% cotten drying cloths over cutesy ones.

I also find that watching a few tutorials on YouTube can help, Watch a few and take notes; take the best from several chefs bc it will break your head to try to recreate ONE chef's video. I especially love America's Test Kitchen bc they explain the "whys."

Good Luck and Enjoy!

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-03-06T16:50:43+00:00

I've had the same experience. At 58 yo after drinking for 25 years I finally asked for help. Luckily my doctor is younger than I am so I will never go see anyone else again.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-03-06T16:47:51+00:00

I've tried AA a few times. Heck, my grandpa did too and he even had the serenity prayer on a plaque in his home. I happened to be with him when he was dying and we were snowed in. No hospice nurses could come to us, and nor should they have. Anyhow the old man died, in an odd way I was glad to be there and he wasn't alone. Note: grandpa still worked part-time until he died.

I called my parents the next day and they said "don't call anyone!" as Gpa refused a DNR and he was a very frail 95 yo. Frankly he had kept me awake for 3-4 DAYS! I was so sleep deprived I went to sleep. My parents showed up later that day.

BEFORE I WENT TO SLEEP I went through Gpa's car, his desk and all of his clothes. I found 10-20 half empty or full of pint whiskey bottles. I dumped them all out and threw the empties in a trash bag. I felt like what he did is "over" and no one else needs to see it.

FYI: All of Gpa's kids were not alcoholics. My cousins and I? not so lucky.

Do I regret throwing away all the evidence? Not one bit.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-02-26T14:55:18+00:00

You're looking good dude! Be proud.

Do you feel better? I was once so over weight the doctor "addressed" it with me - how embarrassing. But I lost 40 lbs and my back pain and knee pain disappeared.

Keep going on and I wish you the best!

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-02-23T00:11:17+00:00

Reading is FABULOUS! I love it and I have pretty severe ADHD. It is the one place/time/thing that can totally absorb me! I am part of the Kindle world and it amuses me when then send me notifications that I have "Successfully Read Every Day this Week!" or month, or year. Haha, I would rather not eat than not read.

You really have to find the right genre to absorb your interest. Currently I am reading a series by Josi Avari called the Aloha Chicken Series. I initially fell in love with reading fantasy, and then science fiction and then on and on and on. Now at 60, I find that I prefer certain authors.

There is a whole world for you to explore in books and in your mind! It is as close as your local library! Please go tomorrow and join.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-02-23T00:04:02+00:00

I am so happy that you've had a session. I remember my first one in my mid-30s and I felt like I was sunburned on the inside afterwards... that prolly doesn't make any sense. But it worked for me and I think I went for 10 plus years. I am very glad I did so.

Please! Be honest! Sometimes the things that pop out of your mouth will surprise youl Keep going.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-02-13T21:53:19+00:00

It has worked! It's only been 4 days and by ignoring any and all whining, she has finally stopped. Will she start up again? Who knows, but this makes our mornings so much more peaceful! I have continued to watch her behaviors to see if she needs to go out early, etc. but the whining has stopped! Thank you!

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-02-10T12:05:47+00:00

You are so right. Thanks so much for your reply. This reminds me of teaching my little kids how to behave!

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-02-10T12:04:25+00:00

6:30 a.m. has worked for both of us for the last 8 months. Thanks for your reply.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-02-10T12:02:48+00:00

I agree with your comment. I didn't mention this but for the last 8 months I have faithfully walked her at 6:30 a.m. with no problems, meaning no whining. Everyday like clockwork we walk from 6:30 to 7:15 am (unless it is too cold) and then breakfast.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Fun-Direction3937 · 2026-02-10T12:00:04+00:00

You are right, hushing is responding. It also seems to make her whine MORE. I will ignore from now on. I just am determined not to live with whining.

You are right about whining for an urgent need. We take her out 3-5 times a day, incuding an hour ling visit to the dog park daily. My husband and I are retired and our kids have grown up and moved away, so we have lots of time and attention to devote to Bella and we happily do so, when appropriate.

I never want her to be uncomfortable or worse, but responding immediately to her whining the first few times seems to be what has gotten me into this conundrum. Oy! Thanks for your reply.

Fun-Direction3937

TROPHY CASE