Administer ear medication – Bobbie – From Snap to Smile 🐾
Bobby, a spirited little Westie, needed regular walks and for me to administer ear medication that his elderly owner could no longer manage. But dropping in the medicine was no small task — his ears were swollen and painful, and he snapped at anyone who got too close. At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d manage.
The breakthrough came with a simple tool: a basket muzzle. It allowed him to breathe, drink, and stay safe while I gave his medication. But safety alone wouldn’t win his trust — I needed a motivation he couldn’t resist: chicken. Tiny pieces at first, just a few seconds at a time, encouraged him to nudge his nose into the muzzle. Gradually, he started doing it on his own. Step by step, treat by treat, Bobby learned to cooperate — and even enjoy it. I could finally administer his ear medication safely.
The secret weapon? Walks. His favourite thing in the world. Each successful ear drop meant a walk right after. The faster he let me treat him, the sooner we were outside exploring together. As his ears healed, the muzzle became unnecessary, and soon Bobby was happily allowing me to stroke his head, ears, and eyes — something he’d never have tolerated at the start.
Baths were another hurdle. Sensitive skin and a dislike of water made them tricky, but with chicken as a reward and a walk afterward, even bath time became manageable.
After a couple of months, the transformation was remarkable. Bobby went from wary and snappy to playful, healthy, and trusting. He learned to enjoy care instead of fear it — and our bond grew stronger with every walk, every treat, and every small victory.
Bobby’s journey is a perfect example of how patience, creativity, and understanding can turn a challenging situation into joy — for both dog and volunteer. 🐶💛
🐶 The North East needs volunteers!
If you’d like to make a difference like I did with Bobby, find out more about The Cinnamon Trust and grab the Volunteer Registration Form and start your own Cinnamon Trust journey today.
