My vet taught me a trick and it worked right in front of my eyes (Pikko was the same way before we earned his respect and trust):
Before starting, apply toothpaste on your pup's toothbrush and set aside where you can reach it once you complete the following:
1. Set your pup on your lap or on a flat surface where he's can't run too far. Using your thumbs as massaging points, start out by massaging your pup's mid-back section in slow, small circles (holding the rest of his mid-section with a firm but gentle grip).
2. Hopefully he is staying still. If not, continue to massage him around the mid-section.
3. If he starts relaxing, massage behind his neck/ears. Continue to massage slowly in small circles.
4. Slowly massage your way to the top of his head. At this point, your fore- and middle fingers should be under his jaw. Massage the top of his head.
5. Start using your forefingers to massage near his jaw. You should be able to confidently massage outside and around his lips and maybe even have contact with the inside of his mouth.
6. Using the pad of your finger, try to feel his teeth and gums. If he lets you do this, you're getting close! Do this for a couple of seconds and see if you can get him to open his mouth. Try to massage inside.
7. (Optional) The vet slowly put his forefinger underneath my pup's top lips and massaged the lips between his thumb and forefinger.
8. Once you have gained your pup's trust, introduce him to his toothbrush. Let him sniff it out, maybe even lick a little toothpaste off to taste it.
9. Gradually put it near his mouth and use your fingers to pull up his top lips so the teeth show. Gently, but quickly, rub the toothbrush on each side. If he starts getting restless, give him a break and start again with massaging. If the pup is still quite young, give him a daily massage with your fingers to prep him for future brushing.
Good luck! |