Doggie dental

[stefania4]

Our new golden retriever, Jasper, had horrible teeth until we took him to the vet for a cleaning. Full of good intentions, I bought a canine toothbrush & toothpaste so that we could do the maintenance ourselves and not put him through this again (dogs are sedated for dental cleaning).

Will he let me anywhere near his mouth? No! Thinking that maybe his gums were still sensitive, I tried to brush the other dog's teeth (hers are gorgeous and don't need professional cleaning). She wasn't into it either. They'll lick up the toothpaste all day long, but won't let me come near them with a tooth brush.

Has anyone done this successfully? Any tips to share? Or should I assume that the vet is onto something with this sedation idea?

[gertdog]

Oooh, I hear you. I never knew dogs had such muscles in their lips/jowls/whatever they are. Gertie clamps hers down tight against her gums, though she's happy to eat the (chicken-flavored) toothpaste.

Here's what our vet recommended. Start with your finger, and use it to gently massage the dogs teeth and gums. Add some toothpaste to the finger after a few days. Progress to one of those brushes that fits on your fingertip, kind of like a thimble, then graduate to a real brush when you're ready.

Gertie still balks at having her teeth brushed, but she would probably be better about it were her <ahem> parents more consistent in their efforts. :o

[aggie94]

Our dogs loooooove getting their teeth brushed. They love the toothpaste enough that they will put up with the cleaning in order to get a taste. Then again, they're beagles - one will actually start drooling waiting for his turn. :rolleyes:

We basically did what Stephanie described, starting off with a finger and then a finger brush and then a real brush. Our old vet, whom I adored, told us that if you use a good enzymatic toothpaste (he recommended and we still use C.E.T.), you really only need to get it on their teeth for it to work. Brushing is ideal, but just wiping it onto their teeth is a lot better than nothing.

On a related note, the last time we took Nacho for a dental cleaning, he had some issues that the vet thought could be helped by flossing. :eek: Are you KIDDING? I can barely manage to floss MY teeth, and somehow I don't think Nacho would be very keen on that idea. :o

[Valerie226]

Although he has long since gone to doggie heaven, I had a doberman who needed to get his teeth brushed. that boy really got plaque buildup even though he only ate hard food. I got him used to having my hand on his muzzle and lifting up his lips without doing anything else. I went from there to using a brush, first on the canines & eventually molars. some days were better than others. I reduced the times he needed his teeth cleaned by the vet. He was not a mean or snappy dog but I could not see the logic of having my fingers right in his mouth. At first I did it in a closed room so he could see he wasn't going anywhere. We had done a lot of obedience training before which probably helped.

[kristalsnow7]

Our dog LOVES LOVES LOVES to get his teeth brushed. In fact, when I am brushing my teeth, he stares at me, jealously, and starts wimpering. If he's ever misbehaving, I just have to say "Yancy, do you want to brush your teeth?" and he will come RUNNING and sit right down at my feet. It is really hilarious! And very cute.

We buy a brand of dog toothpaste that contains a little bit of peanut butter. I think this is why he likes it so much. I started out using the finger brush, but have recently graduated to the longer brush, and he is totally happy with it. I also floss his teeth, too. He loves that even more than the brushing! :eek: :p

[kristalsnow7]

This didn't bump before. :)

[stefania4]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! It makes sense to get him used to having my hand near his mouth before I come at it with what he sees as a long stick... I'll give it a try!

[Natasha]

Stephanie, congrats on your new Golden!!! :) I didn't realize you had a new dog. I'd love to see photos, if you are ever able to post some (or e-mail some). And I love the name Jasper for a Golden.

Teeth-brushing...hmm. My Golden wasn't too fond of it but was so eager to please that he would let me brush his teeth. My sister's Goldens LOVE it and have their teeth brushed all the time. Not sure how she got them to like it, or if they always did; I'll ask and see if she has any tips since she deals with all kinds of dogs. Sounds like you already have some good advice here, too!

Good luck,
Natasha

[Alethea]

My dog doesn't like it, but I can get the job more or less done using the little fingertip brush. But I've given up trying the regular brush, because she'll just close her lips and duck her head. She's an english mastiff, and nobody's getting past those jowls unless she wants you too.:rolleyes:

[LonghornGal]

Bosco has a Booda rope thingy that supposedly has "flossing action" when he chews on it - especially the ends where the strings are all separate. Seems like a good theory, and he loves that toy.

As far as toothbrushing, it's a slow process, but he's to the point where he'll let me rub the toothbrush along the outsides of his teeth. Then I let him lick off the toothpaste as a reward. baby steps, that's all!

--Kristin

[SueK]

We started out with the finger process as well. She doesn't like it, but will tolerate. No way we could even try it on our male. We'd have stumps instead of hands.

My sister's golden loves to get his teeth brushed so much that when they brush their own teeth, he comes into the bathroom and starts whining and barking because he wants a turn.

[stefania4]

Natasha, as soon as I have a picture I'll send you one. I didn't think it was psychologically healthy for us to get another golden right away (particularly one who looks SO much like Reggie). We fostered a black lab for a while, but he was so destructive we couldn't keep him.

Jasper showed up on our doorstep one day. No collar, no tag, no "Missing Dog" signs in the neighborhood or "Lost Dog" ads in the newspaper. We took him to the vet to be checked out and we kept him. He's probably 8 or 9 years old.

And his teeth (and breath) are much, much better now that they've been cleaned.

I look forward to the day when I can say that Jasper trots up to me begging to have his teeth brushed! And I probably shouldn't admit this publicly, but his toothpaste is sweetened with stevia and flavored with vanilla and, um, it's really pretty good.

[Natasha]

Originally posted by stefania4
Natasha, as soon as I have a picture I'll send you one.

Wonderful - I look forward to it!! No hurry, though; I know how things get busy. :)

Sounds like it was really meant to be with you getting Jasper, the way he just showed up on your doorstep. He must have heard from other dogs in the neighbourhood what fine doggie parents you and your husband are! :) Enjoy your new family member.

Natasha