Did you know that brushing your dog’s teeth can be a bonding time for both of you?
Sometimes we get busy and don’t spend enough time connecting with those we love, like our fur kids. You know your dog adores you and loves your attention, so anything we can do that feels like bonding time for both of you matters. You could be forgiven if spending quality time together brushing his teeth hadn’t occurred to you as bonding time.
We won’t go into all the how-to’s of brushing your dog’s teeth in this blog as you can see that in How to Introduce Brushing, but we will talk about how to make the time you spend together more pleasurable for both of you.
Tasty toothpaste is a treat
Treat toothbrushing time like a fun opportunity for togetherness and your dog will come to understand what the mood of the task is going to be. If you purchase a pet-friendly toothpaste in his favorite flavor he can come to think of that as a treat. Toothbrushing doesn’t have to take a long time and if your dog is rewarded with a chicken-flavored mouth for letting you brush his teeth then he is much more likely to enjoy the process.
Praise him
Make sure your pet gets lots of praise before, during and after his brushing session. He loves to make you happy and this will help him enjoy the process more. Dogs don’t understand many of the words we say, but they do understand tone and body language. Let him know you’re proud of him.
Treats
The idea of giving your dog a treat for allowing you to brush his teeth might seem like an odd thing to do, but that really depends on the treat. There are dental treats available that scrape plaque and tartar off your dog’s teeth as he chews and they would be a good choice for post-toothbrushing treats.
Play
If you follow up your session with a game of ball toss in the backyard or a long walk down your favorite nature trail, your dog will make pleasant associations with toothbrushing. You could even work on some tricks together while rewarding him with a piece or two of dental kibble when he gets it right.
Physical affection
If your dog is allowed on your furniture, some cuddle time with him afterwards goes a long way toward making him happy. If he isn’t allowed on your furniture, spend some time on the floor with him, stroking and praising him or, if he likes his fur being brushed that is also a good follow-up.
Routine
Whatever you decide on for bonding time, just remember to follow the same routine every day, including doing it at the same time every day, where possible. This way, your dog knows what to expect.
And when you’re looking for the right dental care products, look no further than Petosan for your brushes and pastes.
