Your dog doesn't like having his teeth brushed, and you don't know how to teach him? With a little patience and training, you can teach any dog to brush his teeth, even if he's not used to it before. It's absolutely worth the effort, because good dental hygiene is definitely worth it if you want to protect your beloved four-legged friend from tartar, gingivitis, unpleasant mouth odor, and nasty toothaches. So: teach your dog to brush his teeth!
You can find the best tricks for teaching your dog to brush his teeth here.
1. Brush your puppy’s teeth – your dog will thank you later
Of course, it's easiest if you teach your dog to brush his teeth when he's still a puppy. This way, you can approach dental checkups in a playful way, and he'll grow up knowing that it's perfectly normal for you to open his mouth and look inside, or to brush with toothpaste and a toothbrush.
Of course, you can still teach your adult dog to brush its teeth, but you may need a little more patience and a few more treats.
2. Choose a command for your dog – brushing your teeth will be easier
To prevent your dog from being startled when you suddenly stick the toothbrush in his mouth, you should come up with a special command. First, get your dog used to this word when you check his teeth. This way, he'll know what to expect later and won't associate bad experiences with the toothbrush and brushing. Your dog will thank you! Examples of commands include "teeth," "open," or "open."
3. Get your dog used to dental check-ups
First, your dog should get used to you touching his snout, then later raising his lips or opening his mouth slightly. Don't forget the command. Be sure to praise your pet and give him a treat. Repeat this exercise several times a day until he feels the whole process is normal. After that, you can open his mouth wider and touch his teeth and gums.
Always proceed in small steps, very patiently and calmly. Always remember the command and, even more importantly, the reward. This exercise can take a few weeks, so don't lose patience!
4. And now? The toothpaste!
Does your little or big darling let you look into their mouth without any problem? Perfect! It's high time to get them used to toothpaste. You should definitely use special dog toothpaste and avoid regular or children's toothpaste, as dogs can swallow a lot of toothpaste while brushing, which can be harmful. Dog toothpaste also has the advantage of being tasty.
It's best to let your dog slurp the toothpaste from your finger until he gets used to the taste. Next, you can rub the toothpaste into his teeth. Here, too, don't forget the command and the rewards!
5. The last step before brushing teeth: dog and the toothbrush!
Now there's only one thing missing so you can proudly claim that your dog has mastered brushing with ease: a toothbrush. To avoid unpleasant scrubbing and scraping on the teeth, we recommend using a special ultrasonic toothbrush, such as the emmi-pet ultrasonic toothbrush . This one even works without vibration and is completely silent. A real advantage, especially for sensitive little ones!
Simply put some toothpaste on the toothbrush, let your four-legged friend sniff it, and then lick it. With the command "check teeth" in advance, you can then gently place the toothbrush on the teeth. Start with the front canines and work your way down to the back teeth with each exercise. With praise and treats, your little darling will quickly get used to it, and soon it'll all become a regular routine. Brushing your dog's teeth once a day will then be no problem at all. Goodbye to tartar and the like!
Are you curious about brushing your dog's teeth with an ultrasonic toothbrush? Learn more about the latest generation of electric toothbrushes for dogs here.
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