showing teeth

[bjjonesjr]

I have a 24 mo. old male rottweiler and am having trouble showing his teeth, it has cost us a ring show. Can anyone help me with showing his teeth. He is a high driven dog. He does well with everything else but without showing his teeth, I can't show the judge what he really can do.

Thanks,
bjones

[RottsNScotts]

We need some more information. What is he doing instead of showing his teeth? How did you teach him to allow you to show his teeth? When does the behavior show up, i.e., can you do a tooth exam at home with just the 2 of you but not with a family member acting as the judge or that works but doesn't work away from home or those work but not a friend known to the dog acting as judge at home or friend away from home or stranger to the dog at home, stranger away from home, and then stranger in midst of a number of other dogs without your nerves and then with your nerves - the dog show!

[bjjonesjr]

Unfortunately I was never taught the proper way to show teeth at a German style show. When I try to show his teeth, even if it’s just him and I , he puts his head down and puts his paw over my arm (dominance, I think). He seems to stress when I try to show his teeth. He gets worked up and stresses, then I stop. I’ve been trying by putting a piece of hot dog in my mouth and letting him take it from me. Also have been petting him under is chin.

Any help will be appreciated, If you have any other questions, please ask me.

Many Thanks,
Bruce

[JemarsSerena]

Everyday! Have treats in hand and touch his mouth. If he lets you then treat. As he allows you to touch his mouth, upgrade to lifting his gums, then treat. Then touch his teeth, treat. As all this progresses he should start letting you get closer to opening the mouth. Use lots of positive reinforcement. Everyday!

If you have a pup again, start early and often. You're not alone in this. At a sieger show that I went to recently, most had problems getting their dogs to show teeth. It is something that you have to work daily as well as touching feet.

[RottsNScotts]

Okay, so start with little steps. First thing you are always going to show - German show or AKC or, or... - is the scissor bite in front so start with that. It is also the easiest.

With your right hand, catch his collar under his chin with the 2 middle fingers. At this point, I tell my dog, "Teeth". Use your forefinger and little finger to cup his chin. Use your right thumb to steady the chin and gently move the bottom lip down from his bottom teeth. At the same time, use your left forefinger and thumb to gently move his upper lip away from his upper teeth.

Don't worry at the beginning how many teeth you get to show. Make it quick and happy and treat immediately. Do it about 3 times in a row, about 3 times a day.

[RottsNScotts]

After you get him accepting the front teeth, you want to be able to show the front to include the canine teeth on top and bottom at the same time for several moments.

The next step will be to show the side teeth on the dog's left side. Continue to control his head with your right hand on his collar and chin and move your left hand to the left side of his mouth. Gently move the left upper lip away from his teeth. Again, keep it short at the beginning and party/treat after he does it successfully.

Repeat the training as described above until he is accepting it well.

Then add the same to the dog's right side. You will tip the dog's muzzle away from you before using your right hand to gently move the right uppper lip.

Practice, practice, practice again!

[RottsNScotts]

Then the one that too many turn into a fight.

To begin, let him sit. Have his favorite treat ready to hand.

Maintain control of his head with your right hand positioned as described. I tell my dogs "Open". Use your thumb and little finger to gently apply a little pressure - isn't even really a push, per se - to the area behind his lower canines without covering the teeth that are there. Use your left hand - I use thumb and ring finger - behind the upper canines to gently guide open.

It is vitally important that when you start this one that you keep the open short! You want to release long before he tries to close or resist.

If you are really dextrous, you can put the treat on his tongue when his mouth is open but that takes some skill! Just be sure that he knows you are really, really pleased with him even for trying! The attempts will get better.

I strongly recommend that you ignore any attempts that do not go well and just keep trying. If you correct him or show displeasure it will become a really unpleasant exercise for him - more than it is already! - and it will always be a struggle.

If you just keep working on it - starting with short, quick attempts and lengthening them as he has success - it will become very easy and matter of fact.

[bjjonesjr]

I have been using my right hand correctly and my left hand over his eyes; this may be some of my dilemma. From what I am reading here, do not cover the eyes with the other hand.

Thanks everyone.
bjones