By: Kelly Marshall
Submitted: 2010-04-13 00:59:52 | Word Count: 519
Dogs can develop dental problems just like we can. That s why it is important to feed them a healthy diet and help them have good dental hygiene by giving them proper chew toys and brushing their teeth on a regular basis. If your dog does develop cavities, he won t be able to tell you he is in pain, so prevention of dental problems is very important.
One of the most common complaints about dogs is their bad breath. You can help combat that as well as tooth decay with regular brushing that keeps food particles, plaque, and bacteria cleaned from the teeth. Foul breath is commonly caused by the buildup of bacteria so after regular brushing your dog s breath may not be quite so noticeable.
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However, don t think you r dog will initially go along with the act of brushing his teeth. He probably won t like it a bit since it is an unnatural thing for him to experience. But just like other tasks you train him to do; you can train your dog to quietly accept teeth brushing and maybe even look forward to it. You should be patient and gentle when introducing him to it and always go easy on him once he is a regular brusher because the last thing you want is to have to fight him and accidentally hurt him because he won t hold still.
First of all you need the proper equipment. You must get a toothbrush and toothpaste designed for dogs. Only use products you obtain from a pet store or your vet. Those designed for humans could harm your pet; they may be toxic and do more harm than good. Your veterinarian can supply you with soft bristle brushes that are effective yet gentle. In addition, he will give you toothpaste that not only is safe for your dog to swallow but it tastes good to him too.
Remember that brushing your dog s teeth is a process you must work into gradually. The first time you attempt it, simply introduce the brush to him. Let him smell it and try to put it inside his mouth if he will let you. Only after he has become accustomed to the toothbrush and taste and smell of the toothpaste should you actually attempt to brush his teeth. You don t have to brush a long time. Just a few seconds at first and work up to a maximum of about thirty seconds. The key is to be consistent and do it everyday.
When the brushing session is complete, give your dog a treat and reward him for being a good dog. When he is trained to expect a treat afterwards, he may begin to actually look forward to his tooth brushings. Establish a routine so there are no surprises for your pet. Brush his teeth at the same time each day and follow the same pattern when you brush. Soon enough the procedure will become second hand and your dog will think the only thing to get excited about is the treat he will get afterwards.
Author Resource:-
Article by Kelly Marshall of http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/, check out our selection of designer dog beds and cool dog clothes.
