Dog growling

[user1489844432]

Hello

I have just adopted a dog, 2yr small mixed breed. The dog got a small eye infection going and I got eye drops for him from the vets. First time I was able to apply with no issues. No the dog growls and shows teeth every time I am trying to do it.

I backed off each time and tried again couple hrs later with the same result.

I just ordered a muzzle that arrives tomorrow but I wonder if this is best way. I don't want to force him but equally he needs his medicine. He growled at the vets too. I am also not sure how easy it will be to put the muzzle on him again once he knows what's coming afterwards.

I had this dog for less than a week so don't really know whether bite would come or he would stop at growling.

You could try cleaning the eye with eye wipes first? I got some on Amazon. It really helped the infection and seemed a lot less stressful than the drops.

It takes a while to muzzle train and dog is likely to resist that at first I would say

Is he bribeable?

could you do something like have pate or primula that he’s licking while you do his drops?

I didn't manage to get eye drops into my child. I wouldn't fancy trying to get them into a dog.

I would be firm, hes working out he growls and he gets his own way and you leave him alone. Next itll be because he doesnt want to get off the sofa etc Muzzle is a good way of not having to back down and know you're not going to get injured

We used to put food into the muzzle for our lab who was extremely food led, when we had to administer ear drops. Even though he knew what was coming the pull of the food was too tempting for him, then we quickly fastened the muzzle. In later years it was enough with one of us gently holding his mouth shut to keep his head still, whilst the other quickly administered the drops.
However, he didn't growl, just snapped at the ear drop container. They do say growling is a warning so I'd be careful with your dog, especially after only having him for a short time. Could you ask the place you rescued him from for some advice?

Unless he's muzzle trained he's not going to happily just let you put one on him - in fact, you're likely to make the situation even worse as he'll be feeling scared and trapped, as well as in pain.

You need to try and show him that the drops are a good thing - not easy but it is doable.

Show him the medication and he gets a treat. Touch around his eyes and face and he gets a treat. Hold him in the position needed to do the drops and he gets a treat.

Then, when you come to give him the medication, a treat first, drops in, treat afterwards. Ideally you should have two people so one can give him a treat when the drops are being put in too, but I get that's not always possible.

You're suggesting that the OP forces a muzzle onto her dog and then physically grapples with him to put eye drops in?
Do you think this might have any negative consequences for their long-term relationship?!

OP I think you need to start some positive association training with things like muzzling, teeth brushing, nail clipping and so on. This dog is scared and he doesn't know you yet, if it was me I would be concerned that anything traumatic now would lead to bigger behavioural problems in future.
If he really really needs the eye drops urgently I would start with muzzle training with food and then probably yes getting someone to help with constantly giving him treats or squeezy cheese or something whilst you're putting the drops in.
He still probably won't love it but might learn to tolerate it for food.