Trupanion Offers Health Information on Administering Medicine to Dogs

There are many devices to aid in administering medicine. In particular, pill plungers are effective and available by mail order. A syringe with no needle is good for liquids. Ask your vet for some other ideas.

Pills (summarized from Carlson & Giffin)
Open your dog's mouth and drop the pill down as far back as you can, on top of and in the center of the tongue. Close the dogs mouth and hold it shut while stroking the throat until your dog swallows. If it licks its nose, chances are that it swallowed the pill. Giving it a treat afterwards helps insure that the pill is swallowed.

You can try hiding the pills in a treat, say cheese or peanut butter. Pill plungers work well, also.

Liquids (summarized from Carlson & Giffin)
Tilt the chin up at 45 degrees, and place the neck of the bottle into the cheek pouch, between the molar teeth and the cheek. Seal the lips around it with your fingers and pour in the liquid. Large amounts can be given this way. Hold the muzzle firmly while the dog swallows. Bottles, syringes and eyedroppers can be used. Your vet can help you out here.

Eyedrops
If you must administer eye drops to your dog and it resists, try the following trick: stand behind your dog and hold the eye open to administer the drops. You don't appear as dominating this way.