The method I’ve heard most touted, is to wrap the pill in cheese. For a dog who eagerly gobbles up whatever’s offered, this sometimes works. But, for the dog who takes the time to inspect first, the cheese is accepted. The pill however, is left behind.

Hiding a pill inside a section of a mozzarella cheese stick works much better. Unless, like Arctic, the dog is highly skilled at dissecting the cheese while it’s in his mouth, separating it from the pill, then swallowIng the cheese, and spitting the pill out. It’s a peculiar talent to be sure, and not one with a positive use so far as I can tell.

For most dogs, peanut butter is foolproof. It’s sticky, conceals well, and they generally love it. But some dogs, such as Arctic, show their thanks by carrying the glob of peanut butter to the new area rug, and spitting it out. He accepted as many times as I re-offered, then did exactly the same thing.

Hiding the pill in a chunk of diced chicken worked, until the piece with the pill in it fell apart. At that point, the game was up. Diced chicken breast will forevermore be regarded with suspicion and undergo a thorough inspection prior to consumption.

In desperation, I tried a spoonful of Hormel chile. That worked, the two times I tried it. I’m a little doubtful it always will, and I don’t want it on the area rug, so next I chopped up a chicken frie and offered it to Arctic. He gingerly accepted, then put the chunks through rigorous testing. They passed since they contained no hidden substances, so he enthusiastically finished them. He wasn’t suspicious when it came to subsequent chicken fries, so we’re sticking with this unless and until he figures it out. With the majority of the chunks being unmedicated, he’s less likely to.

But… with peculiar talents like his, I’m keeping a can of Hormel chile on hand.