Veterinary dentist Thoulton W. Surgeon says that tooth brushing should be on every dog owner’s daily agenda. Spend as much time as you can, and for as long as your dog will allow. “It’s very important, maybe more so than what I do,” he says. “What I do, in terms of removing calculus and plaque, is about a third as important as brushing teeth on a daily basis.” When teeth are already covered with brown- and yellow-stained tartar and gums are bleeding or showing signs of inflammation, your dog needs a professional cleaning. But it’s important to start brushing again immediately after the dentist has scaled away the tartar and polished the teeth. That’s because plaque starts to accumulate within two or three days, so catching it early may delay or eliminate the need for another cleaning down the line. Getting Your Dog Used to Dental Care Many things can contribute to a dog’s fear of having their teeth brushed, starting with the plastic thing you’re trying to stick in their mouth, the weird- smelling paste you put on the plastic thing, and the way you’re trying to force their mouth open to get the plastic thing with the weird-smelling paste in! This problem can be solved by using a desensitization program and lots of patience. These can all be done on the same day, but in a different session to give your dog some time. Select a Location Pick a tooth-brushing place (like the bathroom) and start by making that room a place where fun things happen. As many times a day as you can, take your dog into the bathroom, armed with their favorite toys and treats. If they’re particularly food-driven, you can even start feeding them meals in the bathroom. By doing this for 10–15 minutes multiple times a day, you should see them relaxing and even enjoying the time in the bathroom with you.
Get Your Dog Used to the Brush The next step is to desensitize your dog to the toothbrush with the toothpaste on it. Instead of keeping it in a cabinet, start moving it around the house. You can put it on the kitchen counter, on the floor next to their toys, even near their food bowl (with supervision). Eventually the smell and sight of the toothbrush and paste will become commonplace to them, alleviating their stress. Touching the Teeth Next, let’s work on your dog being OK with having his mouth handled. Note: If your dog has shown aggression when you’ve tried to handle his mouth, or is extremely fearful, seek the advice of a vet or behaviorist. For this, sit on the floor with your dog on a leash. Make sure they are hungry, and have a stash of their favorite treats. Start by petting them and slowly migrate the petting to under their chin. Feed them the treat, and repeat two or three more times. If your dog is relaxed and still interested, repeat, but after you’ve petted them under their chin, run your hand up and over the top of their muzzle and feed. Repeat two or three times and end the session. Once your dog is calm and happy with you opening their mouth, the final step is pairing the toothbrush and the handling. Go slowly; don’t be afraid
to go back a step if your dog looks concerned or frightened.
There’s so much more to the process than “open mouth, brush teeth.” With patience and great treats, you’ll eventually have your dog happily open wide—the saying “ahhh” part may take a little more time. This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.
Article gathered from https://www.akc. org/expert-advice/ health/how-brush- dog-teeth/
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