Advice on Brushing Teeth

[laramegan]

I've been trying to work up to brushing Cricket's teeth without it being a traumatic thing for her, but I think it's going a little too slowly, so I wondered if anyone had any advice. My family had a dog growing up, but we never brushed her teeth (poor thing!),:sorry: so I'm new to this!

I started with letting her lick the toothpaste off the toothbrush, and then I started lifting up her lip to look at her teeth (with her teeth closed), and I've gotten to the point where I can do that and brush the teeth on the sides for a few seconds. But I can't brush the sides in the back, and I can't get her to open her mouth for me to brush inside.

I've tried gently "pinching" her jaws to get her to open, but she just clenches even more. I don't want her to think of tooth brushing as something awful she should fight (like nail clipping!). So far she doesn't really mind it, and I'd like to keep it that way!

Thank you for any suggestions you have!!

[FourOrchards]

Well with Ally...the first thing I had to find was a toothpaste she loved! Found some natural vanilla flavored stuff she loves. I got it when I orderd the triple pet toothbrush. I sure hope I can get more of the toothpaste. It has a website address on the tube. It's www.benedent.com if you want to see it. Just click on the pet section...it has people toothbrushed too!

She get's so excited when I get it out. She dances all around me until I sit down and she plops right down beside me. I know she isn't excited to get her teeth brushed because I know she doesn't like that part at all but it's again...the toothpaste! She's so excited I can put the toothbrush in her mouth and brush like crazy as long as I can. I know I am not brushing like we would our own but I figure if I hit a few...that's better than not doing it at all. I manage to do it once a month if I remember.

If you are really worried Crickets teeth I would check with your vet. If you are smelling bad breath it can be teeth issues. The vet can tell you if he'd reccomend if she needs a cleaning. My Grandmothers dog just had 4 back molar teeth pulled at $200 each! I'm diffently going to take my vets advice when he tells me it's time for Ally to get a cleaning.

[laramegan]

Thank you, Melissa. I'll try to get some of that vanilla toothpaste. The website says that Petsmart carries it -- is that where you got it, or did you order it from the website? I have beef flavored, which she seems to like much better than the mint I originially bought her, but she sure doesn't go crazy over it (plus, vanilla breath sounds much better than beef-scented breath, doesn't it?:D )

I'm not worried about her teeth because I think they're in bad shape -- actually, I wish my teeth were as white and pretty as hers are! She doesn't seem to have bad breath, and she chews A LOT, which I think probably helps her teeth, but I want to get into the habit of brushing them to avoid any problems in the future.

[Jacqueline]

SInce Taffy is the typical Doxy and has to be in the bathroom with me, I let her watch me brush my teeth, then reach down, pick her up, and brush hers over the sink, all the time telling her how nice and white her teeth will be. When they are done, I show her her teeth in the mirror, give her a hug, and put her down.

Maybe if you can make it seem like a treat or fun activity, it will go easier for both of you. Has to be BETTER THAN CLIPPING NAILS :eekdevil: :rofl:

[Bobbiesmom]

SInce Taffy is the typical Doxy and has to be in the bathroom with me, I let her watch me brush my teeth, then reach down, pick her up, and brush hers over the sink, all the time telling her how nice and white her teeth will be. When they are done, I show her her teeth in the mirror, give her a hug, and put her down.

Can I send Bobbie to you so that you can train her to like teethbrushing like Taffy? :rofl: Your story is supercute & it sounds like such fun bonding with your pupper, but I just don't know if Bobbie's up to it...

[prettybutterfly]

Hi. i'm new to this. i just got my puppy and the vet told me it is very important to brush his teeth. it was hard and tricky in the beginning because he would want to chew on the brush.

So, what i did was get him long stick rawhides , like this http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441780749&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032954&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1139984954219

i put him on his back and let him the stick rawhide chew and it works wonderfully because his mouth is wide open so i can get to every spot. it takes a while because he is chewing on the rawhide. make sure the sticks aren't too big.

i found this method to be the best and gets his teeth really clean becasue i can spend more time on every individual tooth.

[Jacqueline]

Can I send Bobbie to you so that you can train her to like teethbrushing like Taffy? :rofl: Your story is supercute & it sounds like such fun bonding with your pupper, but I just don't know if Bobbie's up to it...


I did this just on the spur of the moment....was brushing my teeth, and saw her watching me intently. I just swept her up, wet a finger and stuck it in her mouth. Since she didn't fuss about it, I kept doing it until I could get one of the fingertip brushes, which is kept right in the bathroom cabinet. Now she knows when I am done, she is next.

[Suzanne R]

What a terrific idea!! Sounds too easy . . . Can I hire you to come and train mine on that system?

[Bobbiesmom]

I did this just on the spur of the moment....was brushing my teeth, and saw her watching me intently. I just swept her up, wet a finger and stuck it in her mouth. Since she didn't fuss about it, I kept doing it until I could get one of the fingertip brushes, which is kept right in the bathroom cabinet. Now she knows when I am done, she is next.

You've inspired me...I'll try it tomorrow night (I'll let you know how it goes!). :D