brushing pugs teeth

Not sure if I am putting this in the right thread but here goes. Does anyone brush their pugs teeth? about 4-5 months ago when Phoebe had her yearly checkup and vaccinations the vet said that her teeth look great for her age but I should start brushing them to prevent getting bad in the future. Well he does the bordetella (sp?) twice a year, so shes due again for that in March and ive been neglecting brushing them. Well today we went to petsmart and I picked up some toothpaste and a toothbrush. does anyone have any advice on this, and how I start? She does not like anyone looking at her teeth. Its worse than me touching her feet. She will clench her mouth shut with some sort of kung-fu grip. Thanks in advance!

Yep--I brush all my dogs teeth and always have. It helps if you start from puppy hood, but you can get them used to it. My only real struggle is Theo who tends to try and bite me if I go on too long. I use the finger brush--easier to use on the jaw clenchers.

Lots of treats and giving up when you have some success as opposed to making it a no holds barred wrestling match. I do not worry much about the front teeth, but try hard to get the back ones.

Thanks for the advice Blanche! Tonight I will torture her and try it. I did get her the fingertip brush which is good since you said it easier for the jaw clenchers. When the vet checks her teeth its a 3 person job. One to put her in a headlock and one to hold her head and look while i lift her lips for them, im sure its a sight for all to see SO im sure I will have an eventful evening trying to do this tonight.

I think the key is to go very slowly in the beginning and don't try to restrain them. Just start off letting her lick toothpaste off the brush, I would just do that a few times a day for several days, then slowly build up to brushing a tiny bit. I always start and finish by letting them lick a tiny bit of toothpaste.

Chewing marrow bones is great for their teeth too.

Surprisingly enough she let me do it for maybe 10 seconds. It started out crazy, I had toothpaste in her wiskers and everywhere but her teeth. Once she realized that it was tasty she let me do it for a little (got her vanilla flavor). I think she thinks its just another way to pamper her. She loves having her ears and wrinkles cleaned so maybe she will let me do it once she gets more used to it.

She loves marrow bones! She hasnt had any in a while, maybe Ill stop at the special food store and pick some up for this evening.

For the back teeth some RAW beef ribs and bully sticks work wonders. Flossies too. They're narrow enough that the dog can get them right to the back of the mouth.

PhoebesMommy wrote:Thanks for the advice Blanche! Tonight I will torture her and try it. I did get her the fingertip brush which is good since you said it easier for the jaw clenchers. When the vet checks her teeth its a 3 person job. One to put her in a headlock and one to hold her head and look while i lift her lips for them, im sure its a sight for all to see SO im sure I will have an eventful evening trying to do this tonight.

Theo is terrible. I can brush his teeth but he'll have nothing to do with the vet looking at his teeth. Now, he's had some prior head trauma (before he came to me) and I think the combination of messing with his face and anything that feels like restraint sets him off. He had a dental before coming to me as a foster and he's 13 now. I told my vet to get a good look at his teeth while he was under for the ear/warts thing as she'll not get to see them when he's awake. So let's hope he doesn't need a dental any time soon. Little bugger.

I have a terrible time remembering to brush Tilly's teeth. I bought all the stuff but have only used it a time or two. She usually chews a bully stick daily though.

I don't brush my pugs teeth.

But, I do get them dentals as needed. And, in the summer, when they can be outside, they get to chew on lots of raw bones.