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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    Using the "Find it!" game to administer meds.

    Our almost 14-year-old ACDx Stella was recently prescribed an antibiotic, a bronchial dilator, and a short course of pred to counter a pneumonia diagnosis. She's in otherwise pretty good health - good appetite, drinks readily, wants to go outside, is alert and responsive, wants to walk and when walking, keeps up a good trot.

    In the past it's occasionally been a challenge to get pills into her, even when they were packed into cheese or a similarly good substance. Once or twice I've had to almost force them down her throat. I felt bad about having to do that, and at times she became very reluctant to take treats.

    Yesterday I experienced an epihany. Play "Find it!"

    Several years ago I began putting her into a sit-stay in the kitchen or laundry room while I hid treats around the house. Once finished I released her with the phrase "Find it!" She caught on very quickly and could be occupied seeking out treats for as long as 10 minutes or so. It was brain- and nose-work for her. So last night I tried the game.

    It worked most excellently. She sought out, found, and ate every loaded cheese ball. No stress for either of us. Of course I stood by to make certain she didn't spit out the pill.

    So there's another reason to train your dog to find treats. It can be not only be fun and good work, it can make administering meds much less stressful for both of you.
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

    Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles

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    SunDance (03-25-2017), TuMicks (03-25-2017)

  3. #2
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Clever guy! (And clever Stella!)

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    Mr Kleb (03-26-2017)

  5. #3
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    You're CHEATING!!!!

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    Mr Kleb (03-26-2017)

  7. #4
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Great idea. You know, rabies bait for fox and raccoon is put into crinkly paper as they've learned good stuff to eat in garbage often is in crinkly paper. It plays to their curiosity as well. Might be worth a try as well. I wonder if either would work for cats.

    Kleb might know, the first drop tests of rabies bait for fox were done on the farm of a friend of the OH at Clinton.
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    Mr Kleb (03-26-2017)

  9. #5
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    smartrock, it's certainly eliminated the stress of administering meds.


    TuMicks, that's what Stella will say if she ever catches on.


    Snowshoe, I didn't know that about the rabies bait. And Kleb might know about that.
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

    Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles

    I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .

  10. #6
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Excellent idea! I've been working with find it with Archie, from toys to treats hidden in boxes. Will keep this "trick" in mind.
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    Mr Kleb (03-27-2017)

  12. #7
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    I'm sure Archie would enjoy it!
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

    Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles

    I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .

 



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