The only thing more difficult than trying to give a child medicine is trying to administer medicine to a dog who refuses to cooperate. That's why it helps to know some clever tricks that can allow you to bypass a wrestling match and outsmart your pup.

No matter if it involves a pill or liquid medicine there are proven methods that can help end the struggle and avoid stress for both you and your furry best friend. It's best to learn the methods as soon as you get a dog so you'll be prepared as at one time or another you will be called on to administer the medicine.

Liquid medicine can be infinitely harder at first glance to administer to a dog. Anyone who's had their walls splattered in colored medicine has experienced the effects of doing it the wrong way. It's important to realize that dogs need specialized equipment for medicine and the right tools can help to immensely lessen the stress of the experience. A small dropper or glass bottle will work much better than other delivery tools. Attempt to administer the liquid medicine when your dog is relaxed, not when he is playing or stressed.

If possible, have another person lend a hand by holding the dog in one place. This person should also work at keeping the dog calm and not excited. Have the dog sit and slowly lower the bottom jaw. Then gently pull the loose skin around the jaw away from the teeth. This will make an opening for you to insert the dropper or bottle opening. You can then slowly dispense the medicine into this crevice.

After you've gotten all the medicine into the dog's mouth, make sure to keep it closed. This should encourage the dog's swallow reflex. Above all never try to use a spoon or administer the medicine from the front of the mouth. This technique will immediately cause the dog to react badly, and possibly snap. By entering the medicine from the side, you avoid most of the danger and also don't alert the dog directly to what's going on.

Most medicine for dogs however comes in pill form and that can mean you'll need to be slightly more creative with your approach than with liquid medicine. One way you can administer a pill to a dog is to get him in the same sitting position. But this time you're going to be less sneaky and more in control. One hand should squeeze the bridge of the nose so that the dog's cheeks press against its teeth. Just make sure you don't squeeze too hard! Hold the pill in the other hand and carefully open up the dog's lower jaw.

Now here's where you need to be quicker than your dog! When you have the mouth open wide enough, place the pill on the tongue as far back as you can reach. Of course the dog is going to want to spit out the pill so make sure you hold the mouth closed until you feel like the pill has been swallowed. What if you have an especially smart or stubborn dog who can wait you out and not swallow? Try a little tickle to the neck around the throat area. If that doesn't work blow a gust of air into the dog's nose. It won't hurt it, but it will get the pill swallowed.

Sometimes you don't have to resort to the direct approach especially if you know your dog's personality. For the dog that eats like a vacuum try placing the pill right on top of food in the dog's bowl at mealtime. Many people try to hide the pill inside the food, but this often leads to a clean bowl with a single pill left in the middle. Placing the pill right on top allows you to capitalize on the dog's enthusiastic first bites and also helps you to keep track of it to make sure it's been gobbled up.

For dogs who love a treat, try giving them something especially tasty and irresistible, like a piece of chicken or hamburger. Stick the pill inside of the piece of meat and place it on your palm like you'd typically offer a treat. For butter loving dogs, a piece of popcorn can easily conceal a pill. Soaked in a bit of butter, few dogs will be able to resist its rich appeal. If you're dog likes peanut butter, use that to your advantage. The peanut butter will stick to the pill and ensure that everything gets eaten.

As you can see, there are more ways to administer medicine than just going head to head and making dolling out medication into a contest of wills. That will just lead everyone to be stressed without any guarantee of getting the medicine successfully in the dog. With a little planning and cleverness, you can detour your dog's natural instincts to resist medication and give your companion the treatment he needs, without fights, mess or worry.