I have a 3.5 year old male, my 3rd gsd. 1st 2 were females. We found Neitzche on craiglist actually when he was 1.5 years old. His former owners had to find him an alternate home, b/c they told me they were losing their home to foreclosure. They also had a little 2 year old daughter.

Since we got him, he has been a very well behaved, somewhat timid dog, but ocassionally displays some aggression. Ocassionally, when he misbehaves and we say "Neitzche, get in your crate" in any kind of authoratative voice, he will go in, but if you approach the crate, he will show his teeth and growl very menacingly, and try to bite at your hands if you go anywhere near the crate door to close it. This happened very infrequently, so we didn't feel it was a huge issue. However, a couple of months ago, he was diagnosed with Pannus and given steriod eye drops to put in. At first, he was pretty good, and allowed us to put them in, but after a few days, he decided he did not like them, and would snap at your hands if you tried to put them in, so needless to say, I avoided putting them in...frankly, he is a good size boy (95 lbs) and freightened me.

At that time, my adult son was living at home and gonig to school to become an RN, but has since graduated and moved away (2 hours). He was having luck getting the drops in by holding the bottle above his head and aiming the drops in, hitting only about 25% of the time, but they got in most of hte time. Now that he's no longer living here, my husband and myself have tried all different approaches, to no avail.

First, we held his muzzle, which kept him still enough to put them in...my husband would hold, I would put the drops in...worked for a few days, until he started biting us, hard, after we let go of the muzzle..he would actually chase us around the house snipping at us. Then, we went to a nylon muzzle....it would take us forever to get it on, but eventaully were successful, and that worked for a few days, but now, even with the muzzle on, he tries to bite at us and seems to get madder and madder at this whole process.

Now, my husband is trying the approach of getting him real calm and trying to get the drops in, but that isn't working...he seems to move his head...and at this point, frankly, he has me so scared of him that I won't even attempt it. Last night, I bought a metal muzzle...we tried to get that on him, but to no avail...will try again, but he's been 3 days now without drops, he is on 2 times/day. I did some research and found oral prednisone and have asked our vet if that might work...I'm desparate. Waiting to hear back from her on that. I don't want to just let him go blind, and I really don't want to get rid of him...other than this drama with eye drops, he a great dog. I really think the drops burn his eyes, so I really don't blame him for his reaction. Any advise.

Here's a link that may be of help and decrease the stress for all of you.

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=295764

Barbara has the right idea to start the training for adnisistrating/applying med. Marker training is the way to go...training behaviors with it & use it to adninister or apply meds or pills, eye drops, ear cleaning (which my male hates & yipes like I killed him). I use it to clip nails on pups & even older dogs get a treat or their ball when done.

No stress, no battle, no upset dog or owner...it's the way to do it all. Especially with something that the dog is going to be on the rest of his life.

NOTE: When administering eye drops, have the dog sit facing you,(all the better if you can have him sit on something that elevates him a bit..like a stool or step whatever if possible) hold the bottle above the dog's head & a little behind his head (out of his line of vision)& lift up the upper eyelid & then bring the bottle forward & squeeze the drop in...mark it & treat. Not a big deal if you don't make it one.

You need to find a way to do this, as I am sure that he will be on the drops the rest of his life & need to make it as pleasant of an experience as possible. You can't battle everytime you need to do this & you are destroying your relationship with him, the longer you fight with him about it & he bullies you about it.

You need to have a very matter of fact attitude with him. Ok, we have to do this now & you need to cooperate with me. PERIOD. In fighting with him, you are most likely hitting/bumping his eye with the dropper & that is upsetting him 'cause it hurts when you do that. I'd be upset too. I am sure that the drops feel 'funny' to him when they go in, don't know if they sting or not.

Roxie requires Eyedrops, marker training. I suggested the same to a guy who has to give insulin shots to his dog. works well

Hey Debora,

A couple of ideas...

1) When marker training your dog, consider using just an OTC artificial tear (AT), ATs generally don't sting, and you won't waste your medication. If you have to shake the steroid drop before instillation, do the same with the artificial tears

2) Check with your vet to see if it is okay to refrigerate the steroid drop, it usually helps with the stinging sensation.

I've found having the dog lie down on his side, head on the ground, the easiest way to administer anything in the eyes. At least then you've got gravity helping direct the drop.