10.06.2023 - Prof. Dr. med. vet. Norbert Mencke, veterinarian

4 tips for easy brushing teeth for dogs

How do I get my dog used to brushing his teeth without stress and resistance? In this blog article, we've summarized the most important steps for a relaxed tooth brushing routine and introduce products that can make brushing easier. Learn more now.

Content

1. why brushing your dog's teeth is so important
2. can dogs of any age learn to brush their teeth?
3. practicing command & touch

Practice & praise touching the mouth
Opening the mouth
Practicing commands

4. getting used to brushing your teeth

Toothpaste habituation
Touch on lips and teeth
Cleaning the canines
Cleaning the back teeth
Cleaning the incisors

5. these products make brushing your teeth easier

Why is brushing your dog's teeth so important?

Brushing your dog's teeth regularly is essential to protect them from unpleasant mouth odor, tartar, gingivitis and toothache. The following tips will show you how your dog can learn to brush his teeth from scratch at any age.

Brushing your dog's teeth - Tip 1: Can be learned at any age

To make brushing your dog's teeth an easy routine, you should get your dog used to it from puppyhood. During this time, you can take a playful approach to checking and caring for your dog's teeth. This way, your dog will learn from the start that it is normal for you to open its mouth or approach with toothbrushing utensils.

But don't worry, you can still get your older dog used to brushing its teeth. You may just need more patience. At first glance, regular grooming sessions, be it daily grooming or dental care, seem to be unpopular with our furry friends. However, regular grooming sessions actually promote relationship building and trust between humans and animals.

Brushing your dog's teeth without stress

Brushing your dog's teeth - Tip 2: Introducing a command

Before you start working with the toothbrushing utensils, you should first use a command to get your dog used to the upcoming dental care. "Teeth", "Up" or "Check" are suitable commands for this.

Phase 1: Touch your dog's mouth

Start by touching and stroking the head so that your dog knows that it is okay for you to approach its mouth. In the next step, place one hand on the lower jaw and gently enclose it with your fingers.

Of course, don't forget to praise your dog after each successful phase! In the beginning, this can be done with treats. Later on in the training, you should switch to stroking in order to have clean teeth at the end of the habituation phase, without any treats left between the teeth.

Phase 2: Open your dog's mouth

If your dog accepts this step, now place your other hand on the bridge of the nose and gently enclose it. Only when your dog agrees to your touch without stress can you now gently open its mouth without exerting any pressure. Don't forget to praise your dog again when the exercise has been successful.

Constant repetition of the selected command

Repeat the selected command constantly. This teaches your dog the connection between the command and the touch or "open" when opening its mouth. This not only makes brushing your dog's teeth easier. It also makes regular check-ups at the vet a breeze.

Brushing your dog's teeth with toothpaste

Brushing your dog's teeth - Tip 3: Getting used to brushing slowly

Once your dog has internalized the command, you can start getting him used to the toothbrush utensils. Important! You should repeat each of the following phases on several consecutive days before starting the next phase. Be patient and wait until your dog accepts each phase. Praise again as soon as your dog patiently participates.

Phase 1: Getting used to the taste of toothpaste

Before brushing your dog's teeth, start by letting your dog lick a small amount of dog toothpaste off your finger.

Phase 2: Getting used to touching lips and teeth

In the second familiarization phase for brushing your dog's teeth, the command you have learned, e.g. "Open", is ideal. This lets your dog know that you are now touching and opening his mouth. Brush a small amount of dog toothpaste over the outer surfaces of the gums and teeth with your finger.

Phase 3: Cleaning the canines

In phase 3, you start with the actual brushing of your dog's teeth. Before you clean the canines, let your dog lick a little toothpaste off the toothbrush. Then lift the lips with your thumb and index finger and carefully move the toothbrush back and forth over the canines.

Phase 4: Cleaning the back teeth

If your dog accepts the cleaning of the canines, slowly move on to the back teeth. Clean both sides of the teeth during this phase. With the Canosept 3-headed toothbrush this can also be done very practically in one step.

Phase 5: Cleaning all teeth

Only when your dog tolerates the cleaning of the canines and back teeth do you turn your attention to the incisors. This sequence is necessary as the incisors are the most sensitive area. Is that working already? Very well practiced! Now you can include brushing your dog's teeth in your grooming routine.

Don't be alarmed: many dogs sneeze involuntarily when they touch their incisors.

Tip 4: These products make brushing your dog's teeth easier

Every dog has different needs that dog parents should adapt to. The age, breed, size and behavior of the dog all play a role.

The Canosept range includes dental care products for every breed and every age. This makes brushing your dog's teeth easier and quicker for everyone.

The Canosept dental care finger brushes made of soft, BPA-free silicone are the perfect choice for the first brushing exercises and small dog breeds for which a normal toothbrush is too big.

Simply put them on your finger and you will quickly develop a secure feeling for brushing your dog's teeth, even in difficult areas of the mouth.

For most dog breeds and all ages, the innovative Canosept 3-headed toothbrush is the product of choice. It cleans all three sides of the teeth (front, back and chewing surfaces) in a single operation, significantly shortening the brushing process.

The practical Canosept dental care 3-piece set contains everything you need for a relaxed start to brushing your teeth: The Canosept dental care finger brush, the Canosept 3-headed toothbrush, as well as the popular Canosept Dental Gel toothpaste.

*The discount code Zahnliebe10 will be automatically deducted at checkout. Only valid for the Canosept dental care range in the Ardap Care webshop. Cannot be combined with other promotions. No cash payment possible.