Most dogs do not like getting their teeth brushed. With a little hard work and training, you can teach your dog to be patient while its teeth are being brushed. The effort you put in is absolutely worth it and will prevent your dog from experiencing unpleasant mouth odor and nasty toothaches. You can find the best tricks on dog teeth cleaning here. The following 5 DIY tips will help you maintain your dog’s good oral health.
1. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth From the Very Beginning
Of course, it is easier if you begin brushing your dog’s teeth when they are little. If your dog has experience with teeth brushing from an early age, then it will not have any trouble when it gets older. The phrase old habits die hard applies perfectly to this scenario.
2. Choose a Command for Your Dog
Dogs act best on commands. You can introduce a command that indicates that it is time to brush its teeth. This will ensure your dog is relaxed and unafraid when you stick the toothbrush in its mouth. Once your dog is comfortable with your command, you will find it wagging its tail after you say the command aloud.
3. Condition Your Dog to Enjoy Getting Its Teeth Brushed!
First, you must get your dog comfortable with the fact that you are touching its mouth for an extended period of time. However, do not forget to say your command. Also, be sure to praise your dog and give it a treat when it acts accordingly. Repeat this exercise several times a day until the whole process feels normal. Again, always think of the command and, more importantly, the reward. This exercise can take a couple of weeks. So do not lose your patience.
4. Choose the Right Toothpaste for Your Dog
Initially, you can use only a brush without any toothpaste. Once you have established a routine with your dog, then you can introduce it to toothpaste. There are several dog toothpastes available on the market, so be sure to choose the one that your dog likes the best. Do not force it to use a toothpaste that it does not like. Also, do not use standard types of toothpaste that you would give to your children. These types of toothpaste can irritate your dog and cause it to swallow the toothpaste.
5. Choose Soft Bristles
Just like toothbrushes for humans, there are many different kinds of toothbrushes for dogs. You should consider the age of your pup before you choose a toothbrush. You do not want to damage your dog’s gums or injure it during the process. Use a finger brush to ensure that you can reach far back and once it is comfortable, use an ordinary dog toothbrush.
Brushing your dog’s teeth will take some getting used to. It will seem uncomfortable in the very beginning. However, it will get easier with time. If you are so inclined, you can make DIY toothpaste at home. If your dog is allergic to any chemicals, then make sure you make or buy a mild toothpaste.
