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How to Go About Cleaning Dog Teeth

By Tess Thompson

Canine bad breath often foreshadows the onset of a dental disease. A dog breath freshener will cure dog bad breath temporarily, but it is only regular cleaning of your dog’s teeth that can prevent any future dental problems.

Training dogs to accept tooth brushing is important before you actually start doing it. The best time to do it is when they are young. A young dog is more likely to accept a toothbrush and the unnatural taste of toothpaste, since adult dogs are prone to be much more resistant to any change. Even if you missed out on training your dog when your pet was young or you brought home an adult pet, here are some guidelines about how you can actually go about it training your dog to accept the process.

• First of all, choose a time when both you and your dog are relaxed. If the dog is fearful or excited, he is likely to protest and resist your attempts to put your finger in his mouth.
• Do not use a toothbrush right away. Gently pat the outside of his cheeks with your fingers and let him have an idea about what is coming next.
• Once comfortable with this, put a very small quantity on toothpaste on your finger. If he likes the taste, half your job is done. It will do you good to choose toothpaste that has a flavor of one of his favorite treats. You can get one of those that are flavored with beef or chicken.
• Preferably choose toothpaste that comes with a brush. Dog toothbrushes usually have a thimble and you will be required to use your finger as a handle.
• Put a little bit of toothpaste on the brush and brush one or two teeth and the adjoining gum using a circular motion. This will let him get accustomed to the brush.
• Step by step, with every passing day, brush more teeth at a time. You ultimate goal is to reach the end and clean the molars where plaque accumulates the most.
• Dogs do not get much tartar on the inside so you can stick to only the outer surfaces.

The most important aspect of training your dog to accept the teeth cleaning process is to stop brushing well before the dog starts to create a fuss. If you stop only when the dog starts to wriggle out of your control, your pet will get the message that creating a fuss is the only way in which this activity can be stopped. On the other hand, if you progress slowly, your dog will get accustomed to the task and comply.

References:

http://www.placervillevet.com/dog%20toothbrushing.htm