At some point in your dog’s life, you’ll likely face the challenge of giving them medication. While some dogs take pills without a fuss, others seem to have a sixth sense for spitting them out. Luckily, with the right approach—and a little patience—you can make “pill time” easier for both of you.
Sneaky Solutions: Hiding the Pill
If possible, try to disguise the pill before resorting to hands-on methods. Many veterinarians now prescribe chewable medications that taste like treats, making life much easier.
Other tricks include:
Mixing the pill with your dog’s meal (wet food often works best).
Hiding it inside a soft treat like cheese, peanut butter, or hot dog.
Using pill pockets, soft treats designed specifically to conceal medication.
If these tricks don’t work and your pup finds the pill every time, you’ll need to pill them manually.
Step-by-Step: How To Pill Your Dog
(Instructions courtesy of the ASPCA)
Hold the pill in one hand. Place that hand on your dog’s lower jaw, and the other hand on the upper jaw. Gently tilt your dog’s head back.
Open your dog’s mouth and place the pill on the side of the tongue, as far back as you can reach. Quickly remove your hand and close the jaws.
Encourage swallowing. Keep your dog’s head tilted upward and gently stroke the throat downward. Once you’re sure the pill has been swallowed, offer praise and a tasty treat as a reward.
Training Can Help!
Not all dogs enjoy being handled this way—which is where training makes a big difference. Through positive reinforcement and cooperative care training, dogs can learn to feel comfortable with handling and medical routines. At Courteous Canine, we teach skills that help with:
Accepting mouth, ear, and paw handling
Remaining calm during grooming or medication
Associating medical care with positive experiences
This not only makes pilling easier—it reduces stress for both you and your dog during vet visits and at-home care.
A Calm, Healthy Dog Is the Goal
Giving your dog medication doesn’t have to be a battle. With patience, creativity, and training, you can turn pilling into a routine your dog accepts without stress.
Contact Courteous Canine today to learn more about cooperative care training and how we can help your dog build confidence with everyday handling.
Serving families in Wakefield, South Kingstown, Narragansett, and surrounding Rhode Island communities.