How to Give a Pill to a Dog That Bites

by Krissi Maarx

Overview

Giving medication to aggressive dogs can be dangerous or seemingly impossible, but a combination of sly tricks and behavioral training will help you protect yourself from a bite. Canine aggression generally stems from fear or an attempt to dominate others, so it's important that you help your dog relax and that you establish yourself as her leader. Your tone and movements when giving a pill may put her on defense, which is why you must remain calm as you establish a new routine for giving pills to a biting dog.

Step 1

Put the pill in a glob of canned dog food and stir it into a small portion of her regular kibble. Feed this at her normal feeding time, but tell her to sit before you put down the food. Commanding her movements around food will help you establish dominance, and she may readily eat the pill without knowing it's there.
Step 2

Gather several pieces of meat or small cheese chunks, and toss one piece to her. Toss another if she eats it, and then another. Repeat this the next day, but add the pill to the second or third piece of meat before you toss it. After she eats it, give her another unmedicated piece.
Step 3

Call your dog to you, and ask her to sit. Pet her when she obeys, and then calmly and gently massage her body if she shows no warning signs of aggression, such as snarling or snapping. Praise her verbally and walk away. Repeat this the next day, but give her a soft treat afterward. Repeat the following day, but give her a soft treat that contains the pill.
Step 4

Provide your dog with daily exercise to reduce her anxiety, and practice commands for 15 to 20 minutes daily to establish your leadership role. Remember that if you "give in" to her dominant behaviors, she will consider them acceptable.
Step 5

Contact an animal behavior specialist if you are unable to get close to your dog safely or if your fear of her aggression keeps you from giving medication (see aspcabehavior.org).

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Medication Canned dog food and kibble Meat or cheese (optional) Soft treats (optional)
Medication
Canned dog food and kibble
Meat or cheese (optional)
Soft treats (optional)
Practice deep breathing and calm, confident body language to nonverbally communicate to your dog that you are strong and stable; dogs can become fearful or attempt dominance when their owners are overly anxious.
Practice deep breathing and calm, confident body language to nonverbally communicate to your dog that you are strong and stable; dogs can become fearful or attempt dominance when their owners are overly anxious.
Don't attempt to medicate your dog if you are at risk of serious bodily injury---contact your veterinarian for assistance. Don't chase your dog or corner her to give her medication; this will cause fear and may encourage aggression. Don't punish your dog by yelling or smacking her if she displays aggressive behaviors or if she bites you. This will increase her anxiety and worsen the aggression.
Don't attempt to medicate your dog if you are at risk of serious bodily injury---contact your veterinarian for assistance.
Don't chase your dog or corner her to give her medication; this will cause fear and may encourage aggression.
Don't punish your dog by yelling or smacking her if she displays aggressive behaviors or if she bites you. This will increase her anxiety and worsen the aggression.

Overview