Tooth Brushing
Grooming & Handling · 28 steps · by Push Drop Stick
Your Dog will learn to enjoy having their teeth brushed. Using a toothpaste your dog loves will help!
**Puppies:** Getting your puppy happy about having their teeth brushed is wonderful socialization during the puppy window (around 4 to 16 weeks), when puppies learn what is safe and normal in their world. Because a young puppy usually has no fear to undo and soaks up new experiences fast, you can often run this plan in **proof mode** (proof levels 1 and 2, the harder review steps) so your puppy breezes through it faster than an adult dog might need. Keep every rep positive and let your puppy set the pace.
Training steps
Pair the sight of the toothbrush with treats at a distance
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
When Your Dog is not expecting it, show them the toothbrush from a distance and toss a generous handful of tasty treats so Your Dog can eat without having to move closer to the toothbrush.
Success: Your Dog eats the treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Pair the sight of the toothbrush with treats
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
When Your Dog is not expecting it, show them the toothbrush, then surprise them with a generous handful of tasty treats. Stay where you are and let Your Dog come to get the treats so they are choosing to approach the toothbrush on their own. Between reps, sit with Your Dog without feeding them and keep the toothbrush out of sight. This contrast builds anticipation so Your Dog starts thinking, "Where is that toothbrush? I want to see it again because it means great things happen!"
Success: Your Dog approaches and eats the treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Put the toothbrush on the floor and sprinkle treats around it
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
When Your Dog is not expecting it, put the toothbrush on the floor, sprinkle a generous handful of tasty treats around it, and step back so Your Dog can approach and find the treats without any social pressure.
Success: Your Dog approaches and eats the treats.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Move the toothbrush toward the mouth but stop 3 inches away
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat from the other hand right after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during handling.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Touch the toothbrush to the side of body for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
After touching, quickly feed a treat from the other hand.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during handling.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Touch the toothbrush to the side of mouth for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
After touching, quickly feed a treat from the other hand.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during handling.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Touch the toothbrush to the side of mouth for 3 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during handling.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Hold muzzle and touch the toothbrush to the side for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during handling.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Hold muzzle and touch the toothbrush to the side for 3 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during handling.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Lift lip and touch the toothbrush to the canine tooth for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during handling.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush canine for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush canine for 3 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Lift lip on the other side and touch the toothbrush to the canine tooth for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush other canine for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush other canine for 3 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Lift front lip and touch the toothbrush to front teeth for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush front teeth for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush front teeth for 3 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Lift back lip and touch the toothbrush to back teeth for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush back teeth for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush back teeth for 3 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Lift other back lip and touch the toothbrush to back teeth for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush other back teeth for 1 second
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush other back teeth for 3 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush teeth for 5 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush teeth for 10 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush teeth for 15 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Feed a treat after.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Brush teeth for 30 seconds
Setup: Your Dog is in any position.
Prep the toothbrush with toothpaste. Feed a few big treats after each rep to keep Your Dog happy and engaged as the brushing duration increases.
Success: Your Dog is happy and calm during brushing.
Advance on: 4 of 5 successes
Congratulations! You now have a dog who loves to have their teeth brushed.
Keep the positive association strong by giving Your Dog a high-value treat every time you brush their teeth.
If Your Dog starts avoiding having their teeth brushed, that's completely okay! Simply Drop back to a step they're comfortable with and work through the plan again or restart the plan with proof steps. Go at Your Dog's pace and do as much training as they need.