My dog does not like her teeth brushed (clean, vets, training)

[RayinAK]

She does not get upset when my wife or I try to brush her teeth, but clamps her jaws shut. It means that we are able to brush only the outer surfaces of a few teeth. Also, she does not like to chew toys and things that could clean her teeth. Do you know of any product, snack, whatever... we can use to clean her teeth?

[patriot201]

I have the same problem. I give my dog DentaSticks, Milkbones, and just brush as much as I can.

[Sam I Am]

Raw meaty bones. You don't say what kind of dog, but the little guys can have RAW chicken wings - and you can work it right on up to femur bones for the gentle giants. The bones scrape all the crud off their teeth. I'm talking raw from the meat market, not the stuff at Petsmart.

If your dog has never had a raw bone before you may or may not get a round of applause for this idea - some dogs just sorta push it around with their nose like they aren't sure what to do. I keep putting a bone in the food bowl until they get the idea. Most will catch on quickly enough.

Please don't worry about the bone - it's completely safe - the only thing you want to make sure of is to buy a bone appropriate to their size. I personally like chicken because the bones will crunch and scrape the teeth. For most dogs, the back and neck are good to start with - for the little bitty guys, go with wings.

[ReturningWest]

I brush my dogs teeth but I also put Jeffers Triple-Pet Plaque Off I get from them and it takes care of all the places I miss.

Plaque Off

[WildnFree]

Yeap I feed raw meaty bones, even at his age teeth look great!

[cat1116]

There's a product that you can put a couple drops into dogs' water bowl. Also, comes w/ bottle that you can use to either brush with or just put drop or two onto their tongue. Maybe the dog wouldn't mind so much if you used one of those little rubber bristle finger massagers? There's other products that will allow you to spray into their mouth if you can get them to open for a second or two. Can find them in the dental/health section of your local pet store or can check some online pet site like Drs Foster and Smith, etc.

[nowitsshowtime]

Make sure if you go with the bones to clean their teeth, they are RAW and never cooked. Some will say cooked is okay but it can splinter and be bad.

I personally recommend carrots. Our dogs love carrots (usually baby carrots) and our GSD has had amazing teeth all her life, even the vets were surprised. They are a great snack as well for them. I recommend that before going with any chemicals and brushing.

[skelaki]

Agreed! Raw, meaty bones. Raw ONLY, never cooked, not even "slightly."

[cittic10]

It's hard to envision what you mean? Clamping jaws seems like it would be easier to brush them. You just brush the outsides, and frankly it's usually just the teeth in the back that get all plaquey and the gums also.

Have you tried those little rubber things you put on the tips of your fingers? Those are great training tools for brushing teeth and some people just stick with that. Also try some peanut butter flavored toothpaste if you can find it an give your dog a little for taste first so your dog thinks this is all just a fun reward.

[no kudzu]

used to try to brush Lucy's teeth but they always bled. very expensive to have them professionally cleaned and i'm nervous about anesthesia as well. she is now 11 and again needs her teeth cleaned.

some folks look at you funny when you say you need to brush dog teeth. just look funny back at them!