| The most important things that an owner of a | | | | is not a puppy, you will just have to exercise |
| mastiff should do are brush his teeth daily. Just | | | | more patience and do your best. If you are not |
| like ourselves we brush our teeth daily and clean | | | | able to get your hands on canine toothpaste, you |
| our tongue daily. When the teeth are not cleaned | | | | can try using baking soda as a substitute. |
| on regular basis, plaque can build up which causes | | | | However, one of the advantages of canine |
| the gum to recede. This can make eating painful | | | | toothpaste is that your dog will not need his |
| and result in future teeth loss (not to mention | | | | mouth rinsed afterward, whereas he will with |
| "doggy breath") | | | | baking soda. Just like your own teeth, however, |
| There are plenty of health problems related to | | | | your dog should have his teeth cleaned by a |
| dirty teeth. Teeth that are not cleaned on a | | | | professional once or twice a year. Instead of a |
| regular basis (2 - 3 times a week) are breeding | | | | dental hygienist, however, you should take him to |
| grounds for bacteria and disease. This can put | | | | a veterinarian that does teeth cleaning. The |
| tremendous pressure on your dog's immune | | | | veterinarian will be able to put your dog under |
| system and internal organs, which leads to | | | | using a general anesthetic. He will then be able to |
| premature aging. Older dogs are especially | | | | properly scale your dog's teeth, something you |
| susceptible to these issues, particularly with | | | | cannot do on your own. Call your dog over and |
| regards to heart disease. This is really an | | | | have him lie down on your lap. Open his lips with |
| important task for an owner to do for his mastiff. | | | | your fingers, and start to gently rub his teeth |
| Most people are simply not unaware of how | | | | with the toothbrush. At first, he may try and |
| important it is. They think it is very difficult. But its | | | | chew on the toothbrush. If he does so, quickly |
| not that much hard to do once you will go for it | | | | take the brush away and gently scold him. Try |
| you will achieve your goal. All it takes is patience | | | | again. It may take awhile for your dog to get |
| and proper training. The first thing you need to do | | | | used to this, but there's no other way. You'll have |
| is to buy a children toothbrush, or one specifically | | | | to be patient. If you are able to brush a few |
| designed for a dog. Next you will need to buy | | | | teeth without your dog biting the toothbrush, |
| some canine toothpaste. DO NOT TRY AND USE | | | | make sure you praise him extensively. One of the |
| TOOTHPASTE MEANT FOR HUMANS (like Crest, | | | | hard things about training your dog for teeth |
| Aqua Fresh, etc) Human toothpaste contains | | | | cleaning is that you can't really reward him with a |
| chemicals that are dangerous for dogs, and will | | | | food treat. All you can do is to be patient and |
| taste extremely foul to him. | | | | consistent. Still, for your dog's sake, the effort is |
| Like any kind of dog training, it is best to start | | | | well worth making. Healthy teeth make your |
| when your dog is a puppy. However, if your dog | | | | mastiff general health strong. |