Why my Dog Won’t Let Me Look at His Teeth?

Why my Dog Won't Let Me Look at His Teeth

Won’t your dog let you look at his teeth?

 

Does he always shut his mouth as soon as you get near him with a flashlight?

 

What’s going on?

 

Here are a few reasons why.

 

Your dog knows that a toothbrush is for cleaning.

Dogs don’t realize toothbrushes are for cleaning.

 

They don’t know that a toothbrush is an instrument for removing food particles, plaque, and tartar from the teeth.

 

They think it’s just another item to be chewed on and may not even recognize it as an object.

 

Dogs often try to bite or chew on toothbrushes because they’re unfamiliar.

 

If your dog has ever bitten you while you’re brushing their teeth, this could be why he won’t let you near his mouth again.

 

If he bites you twice, then there’s a chance he’ll start associating the sensation of brushing with pain—and maybe even fear.

 

Your dog may have a painful or uncomfortable mouth.

Dog refuse to show its teeth

 

They could have a dental problem.

 

Your dog could be in pain, so he doesn’t want you to look in his mouth because he is afraid you will hurt him.

 

You can check for these problems by carefully inspecting your dog’s teeth and gums each time you brush or feed him.

 

Look for red, swollen gums; bleeding or blackened tissue on the teeth and gums; or any other worrying signs—such as bad breath that doesn’t go away even after brushing his teeth.

 

If your dog has any of these symptoms, take him to the vet immediately.

 

 

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Your dog may be afraid he will get his teeth brushed or his mouth looked at.

The fear of the noise of a toothbrush and mouth being looked at can be expected in some dogs.

 

They don’t know what’s going on when we approach them with a toothbrush in hand or try to look at their teeth.

 

Some dogs find it scary to have someone looking into their mouths, even if the person has good intentions.

 

If you suspect this is your dog’s problem, take steps gradually toward getting over his fears, so he doesn’t develop anxieties about having his teeth brushed or looked at by other people.

 

With regular practice, your dog will eventually become more comfortable around having his teeth cleaned and examined—and he’ll probably love it.

 

You may be doing something wrong when you try to look at your dog’s teeth.

Don’t try to force your dog’s mouth open with your hands. When you attempt to look at his teeth, a dog will naturally resist.

 

He may even bite or nip at you to protect himself from what he may see as an assault on his personal space.

 

If this happens, back off and wait until another time when he is more receptive before trying again.

 

Avoid looking at your dog’s teeth while eating or playing with toys, as both could be considered triggers for defensive behavior in dogs (especially if it’s a competitive game like tug-of-war).

 

Generally, it’s best not to disturb your pup when he’s having fun—even if it means waiting until after dinner before checking out those pearly whites.

 

If your dog doesn’t let you look at his teeth, there may be an underlying reason.

One of the most common reasons dogs won’t let their owners look at their teeth is because they’ve had bad dental care experiences.

 

Dogs are susceptible and can pick up on any anxiety or stress you’re feeling while getting brushed or examined by a vet.

 

If your dog had seen this thing before and reacted poorly, he might not want to repeat the experience.

 

Conclusion

If your dog doesn’t let you look at his teeth, there may be an underlying reason.

 

If you’re unsure why he’s acting this way, try to figure out the problem and address it.

 

The best you can do is take your pup to a vet who specializes in dentistry so they can examine him and determine what’s causing the fear or pain in his mouth.

 

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Russel

A pet owner who loves to share useful facts and information about a variety of animals.