Got Them...Now What Do I Do With Them???
 

OK my experienced Yorkie friends....got Zachary's toothpaste and toothbrush just now in the mail...so tell me please... what do I do with them:D;):rolleyes:???

Louise

Get him used to the toothbrush 1st i did that with a finger brush the get used to the flavor of the toothpaste then both

Just in case you're serious ??...

At your first attempt to brush, it's possible that Zach may not "immediately" like the toothpaste. So, you might try putting a little Peanut Butter on the Toothbrush, or, some other known substance which he will enjoy more. Most dogs don't mind the brushing it's self, they sorta think it's a little play thing at first (my experience with it).

Keep in mind, it's just like how we do it, upward/downward strokes are really better to remove debris.

PS:

Even with regular brushing, I still think (just like humans) our animals need a regular checkup (cleaning/checking) at the Vet.

Both mine go every two years. I'd do it every year, if it wasn't for the anesthesia. These visits can cost about $250 per animal.

Yes, I am VERY serious!!! :D :DI am almost 65 and have NEVER brushed a dogs teeth before...you just didn't do stuff like that "in the olden days". I don't think there is much hope for my other 5 but since Zachary is likely to be my last and my baby, I am going to SPOIL SPOIL SPOIL him and do everything I can to make life enjoyable for both of us.

One of my dogs LTwinkie, is 10 (Chihuahua) and has started sleeping a lot and has always been a grouch. One is going on 6 (Gizmo) and is past playing (terrier/x). One is 5 and is "there" (a long haired 5 pound Chihuahua fuzz ball that just "chills"). Yoshi, almost 2 year Japanese Chin is a "miss priss" and would NEVER tolerate something like tooth brushing (Chin's were bred for one thing, companionship and they know it). My Sir Yumble will be a year in August (Japanese Chin) and has a very sensitive nature. It would be impossible to do the teeth.

BUT, my little Zachary....I have been trying to do everything right with him since day one (May 15) and I have been getting him used to everything....brushing, shaving ears, bath, ear cleaning....everything but nail trims since I have been trying to do that for YEARS and is not worth the stress. So I figure that if I can get him used to everything else, I can surely do the tooth brushing, right????? :D:D

Y'all really have NO idea how foreign all this Yorkie stuff is to me. :eek::eek: All my other dogs have been pretty much "wash and wear", even the Chin's who require a minimum of grooming. Zachary, I am finding out, requires a TON of grooming care but being retired, I have TONS of time to do it too, once I figure it all out.

Will try the tooth brushing tomorrow morning when I comb him out.

Thanks,
Louise

I am thrilled for you getting your first Yorkie. It sounds like you have a terrific family. One of my sisters had long haired Chihuahuas for years, before getting her first Yorkie. Now she has both and swears her family is just perfect now. :D
Brushing teeth just takes practice. I don't lift their lip. I taught my pups to let me brush up and down on their back teeth when they are covered with the jaw skin. The front teeth are easy. At first I used the finger tooth brush, then moved up to a child's soft brush. Some people on YT have trained their dog to accept an electric tooth brush and even a water pick ! I guess with enough patience you can teach a Yorkie to do just about everything a human toddler does except bathe, dress, and brush their own teeth ! Best wishes and welcome to Yorkie Talk.

and if he doesn't like brushing get some Petzlife or Leba III spray

I don't use anything but my finger and Joel actualy lets me, his vet said thats good enough and the tooth paste just makes them try to eat the brush, :)