How To Brush Your Dog's Teeth And Train Dogs To Cooperate, by LIfe With Dogs & Puppies on YouTube. 9 min 32 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 32 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Pick a quiet moment when your dog is relaxed. Let your dog sniff the toothbrush and toothpaste so they are not new objects.
Put a pea-sized amount of dog toothpaste on the brush. Let your dog lick it off your finger first so the taste is familiar.
Lift your dog's lip gently with one hand and touch the paste to the front teeth. Praise and give a treat right away.
Brush the outside of the teeth in small circles, starting at the back molars and working forward. Keep each session short.
Angle the bristles where the gum meets the tooth. Brush the upper and lower teeth on both sides.
Brush the front teeth and, if your dog allows, the inside surfaces. Most plaque sits on the outside, so focus there.
Stop after 30 to 60 seconds at first, even if you have not done every tooth. End on a calm note with a treat.
Repeat daily or every other day and slowly add more teeth each time. Aim for a full brush of all outer surfaces within a few weeks.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use human toothpaste, because fluoride and xylitol are toxic to dogs.
Keep sessions short and stop before your dog pulls away, so brushing stays a positive habit.
Start with a finger brush if your dog is nervous, then move to a soft dog toothbrush.
Check for red gums, bad breath or loose teeth and ask your vet if you see them.
Questions
How often should I brush my dog's teeth?
Daily is best for preventing plaque. Every other day still helps a lot. If you cannot brush daily, combine it with dental chews and vet checks.
My dog hates the toothbrush. What can I do?
Go back to letting your dog lick toothpaste from your finger, then a finger brush, and reward each small step. Build up over several short sessions instead of forcing it.
Can I use baking soda or human toothpaste?
No. Human toothpaste can upset your dog's stomach and some ingredients are toxic. Use toothpaste made for dogs.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
