With proper training, brushing your dog’s teeth can be an enjoyable time for both of you. Brushing helps remove bacteria left behind after your dog eats. If left to build up, plaque will form on the gumline, which can lead to tartar and, in severe cases, cause painful periodontal disease.

If you haven’t brushed in a while, first examine your dog’s mouth. His gums should be firm and a healthy color. If his gums are inflamed, recessed or bleed easily when rubbed, you should see a veterinarian for a professional assessment and cleaning before attempting to brush your pet’s teeth.

STEP-BY-STEP:

To begin brushing, use the following 4-step training process. It may take a couple weeks to complete, but it will help your dog view brushing as a positive activity.

You will need dog toothpaste that has a flavor appealing to your dog. Do not use human toothpaste, as it can upset your pet’s stomach. You’ll also need a dog toothbrush and small but special treat rewards.

Step One
Start training by placing a little dog toothpaste on your finger and let your dog lick the paste from your hand. Do this step several days in a row, and follow it with a treat reward and lots of praise.

Step Two
Place a little of the paste on your pet’s large canine teeth in front. This gets your dog used to having something placed against his teeth and gums. Do this step for several days, and again, follow it with a reward and praise.

Step Three
Now introduce the toothbrush you will use for regular brushing. Place some dog toothpaste on it and allow your pet to lick it from the brush. It will get your pet used to the texture – and of having the brush near his teeth and gums. Praise and reward your dog, and repeat this step for several days.

Step Four
In the final phase, you will actually brush your dog’s teeth. Gently hold back your pet’s lips and hold the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gumline. Brush the outside of each tooth, moving the brush gently back and forth. Talk to your dog in a soothing voice and always follow brushing sessions with a treat. Brush just a few teeth the first time, and gradually lengthen the session each time until you’re brushing all the teeth.

When finished, be sure to reward him with lots of petting and praise. The rewards and praise will help him associate brushing as a positive, rewarding experience.

Ideally, you’ll brush your pet’s teeth every day – but at least a few times per week. If time is tight, give your pet’s teeth a quick cleaning with dental pads. They kill bacteria on the surface, leaving his mouth fresh. With just a couple minutes of dental care per day, you’ll go a long way toward preventing plaque buildup – and periodontal disease.

Information courtesy of drsfostersmith.com You can also find a video of how to brush your dog’s teeth by following this link!

• Just for Fun Agility
• Clicker Training
• Dog Training Seminars and Dog Camps
• Dog Coursing and Racing
• Flying Disc Dog Sport
• Dog Parks, Dog Runs and Off Leash Play
• Dock Diving or Dock Jumping
• K-9 Drill Teams
• Earthdog Trials Links
• Educating about Pets Links
• Flyball Links
• Flygility Links
• Games to Play with Your Dog
• Herding with your Dog
• Hiking and Backpacking with your Dog Links
• Hunt and Field Trial Information Links
• Musical Freestyle – New Sport for Dogs
• Obedience
• Dog Racing
• Rally
• Ring Sport
• Rollerblading with your Dog Links
• Schutzhund
• Search and Rescue (SAR)
• Sledding, Skijoring, Carting and Pulling Links
• Therapy Dogs and Visiting Pets
• Animal Assisted Therapy, Animal Assisted Activities
• Sniffer Dog
• Scootering
• Tracking
• Tricks (Performance Art)
• Day trips and vacations
• Water Work Trials
• Weight Pull

Information courtesy of DogPlay.com!

One of the questions that I enjoy the most is when people ask me how they go about getting their dog started as a therapy dog. Being a therapy dog is not only a very rewarding experience for your dog but it is also a very rewarding experience for you as a dog owner and it enables you to give back to your community but that being said, how do you begin?

The first step in determining whether your dog is suited the therapy dog life is to assess his personality and character, if you have a high energy dog with a high prey drive then he is most likely not suited to being a therapy dog; however, if you have a dog who thrives around people then the chances are that he could make a very good therapy dog. You should also realize that being a therapy dog “handler” is going to demand more from you than just a visit once a week to a local hospital or nursing home, it takes dedication and most of all a love for what you are doing.

Once you have determined that you and your dog are ready to embark on the journey of becoming a therapy dog and a therapy dog handler you want to contact various agencies that offer therapy dog services and determine which is suited to you: do you prefer elderly people, are you uncomfortable in hospitals, does your dog prefer children etc. When you have settled on a program it is time to begin the training process. Training programs for therapy dogs are specially suited to the needs and demands of being a therapy dog, they will train your dog to understand his new environments and to behave well around strange, elderly or even sick people and get him used to being touched and even manhandled (especially if you will be working with children.) Finally once you and your dog have completed the necessary training to be certified you will be certified as a therapy dog and handler and matched up with a program close to you!

Being a therapy dog handler can be a lot of work but it is also one of the most rewarding things you can choose to do with your dog!

God looked around His garden
And He found an empty place
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your precious face

He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest;
God’ s Garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain
He knew you’ d never ever
Get well on earth again.

So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered ” Peace be thine “
Then He took you up to Heaven
With Hands so gentle and kind.

It broke our hearts to lose you
But you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God welcomed you home.

Author Unknown