Not optimum, but there are pill shooters that can be used. Our doxies, massive food hounds, would take a finger or hand off if you got near their mouths with a pill. Unfortunately, Kooper who we lost last year, had issues with recurring pancreatitis and kidney issues and was always on/off meds. He would eat anything at all, except if it had a pill. I ended up having to use a muzzle and pill shooter on him. For any who think that's cruel, he bit for nail trims, grooming, he was a double tech hold for the vet until she too decided to muzzle him; sweetest dog in the world unless he decided he didn't like something. I've since used it on my cat as well. Simple, done in seconds, treat afterwards. Sometimes I think it's a better option. Once I started using it, I could dose him easily, he never got the chance to 'taste' the pill so he wouldn't get turned off of it and immediately get worked up when he saw the bottle. He knew he got some tasty treat after which helped a bit.
...it worked (almost) every time! I’d show him the second piece before giving him the first and he’d gobble up the first not even noticing the pill. Good thinking! I’d say a hungry Sheltie is a good thing in this case!
We need a little laugh right about now with all the stress we have endured worrying about our mascot Gavin!