Dental Care HELP PLEASE!!!!
 

I just gave my little guy a bath and a tooth cleaning. Well he hates :mad: the teeth brushing, he squirms and pulls away. :eek: He also makes this funny noise like he got water up his nose. I barely got to brush his teeth. I even wrapped him in a towel. That didn't help either.

Is there any way to make this easier. He know what his toothbrush is and runs every time he sees it. I don't know what else to do....

Is there an alternative to actually brushing, like something to chew on that will do just as good?

Also should I be brushing his teeth daily or weekly.... well 7-10 days when he gets his bath? :scratchhe

Thank You for listening and any advice you are willing to give me! :xfingers:

Stefanie and Rambo!

Layla makes that noise too- try to keep him more on a steep incline when you do his teeth as oppose to right on his back.

You just gotta keep with it. Layla hates it and i've been doing it since the day she was born. I just keep reminding myself this is better than putting her under for a dental clean.

I start mine out using a QTip, and as they get used to that , gradually work up to the toothbrush. I try to do it in the evening when they are tired, and just be relaxed and have a ton of patience. 3-4 times a week if I can.

Living with humans, no there is no real alternative to brushing although everyone seems to like a 'quick pill'.

Here's what seems to be working for me so far:
Best thing I learned this week is that you only really need to get the outer side of the teeth (like cheek-side) because 94% of the tartar/plaque problem is there. So it's really just a quick back and forth along the molars on either side (like 2 seconds each), and that'll get most gunk, and it's enough to start. There's some good videos on youtube.com.

Other best thing I learned this week is when you're ready for business tell them so and DON'T let them squirm away. The neighbor's dog showed me how to 'mother-nip' the young ones and I think most of them will respond the same way - temporary stillness and submission. What I am calling a 'mother-nip' is when the bugger squirms, you grunt while you suddenly (gently but firmly) jab at his head with your nose. He should recognize this as dominating maternal discipline and quieten down for a brief moment. I have used this mother trick to quell mine when I'm pestering him and it has made for a huge improvement in controllability for face combing too and I can even pry his cheek to see his molars now without him knocking me over in a getaway.

Those of us who have not accustomed our pups to all that handling before their eyes opened have to do it now, oh well.

dentist told us at least 3 times a week. You can get CET Chews they have chlorhexidine in them from vet. Try the pet wipes i get from drsfosterandsmith.com

Pet Dental Care: Drs. Foster & Smith Dental Clens® Pads for Dogs

chlorhexidine kills bacteria in mouth and i like the wipes just wrap around finger or cut in half and use that and do circular motion on each tooth so it gets up under the gum line

mine are too spazzy for tooth brushes

i do it before bed and eventually they get use to it - you can try to put a towel on washer or dryer as i groom mine on there and wipe teeth each night - you can give a special treat after as a reward - i do this as my girl is a spaz with liquid meds and it is working better now

Thank You for all the good advice!!!!
:D ~Stefanie and Rambo!