Pet medication is mostly prescribed in pill form. Some dogs — like happy-go-lucky Labs that would eat a rock if you use your "happy voice" — will happily munch pills as though they were treats. Other terrier-types require a combination of stealth, speed and skill to get the pill where it belongs: down the dog's throat speeding to the stomach and beyond.

If you must give a pill to a pet because their life — or quality of life — depends on it, follow these seven steps, taught to veterinarians:

1. Simply put, you must gently pry your pet's jaws apart.

2. Start by resting your palm over the bridge of the nose.

3. Apply firm pressure just behind the fang teeth of the upper jaw using your thumb on one side and your other fingers on the opposite side, then point the nose straight up. The combination of elevation and pressure will cause the mouth to open.

4. With your other hand, hold the pill between your thumb and index finger.

5. Applying pressure on the lower jaw with your other fingers as you quickly push the pill with an index finger as far back as you can, over the top of the tongue.

6. Close your pet's mouth quickly and continue to hold the nose skyward. Then try blowing into your pet's nostrils or gently massaging his throat with gentle, verbal encouragement to swallow.

7. Always follow this "pilling" session with a meal, treat or something else your pet adores. Over time, your pet may decide that getting pilled is worth his while.

If for any reason you aren't able to accomplish this mission, call your veterinarian and ask for recommendations of different TREAT-ment aids and techniques such as tasty materials that can be used to wrap pills, savory oral suspensions or tasty chews that contain the medications.

If all else fails, your best bet may be to take you pet to the vet for daily dosing.