Training for mouth exam

[lynn1128]

I am getting ready to show my 11mo puppy for the 1st time in AKC and I was wondering if anyone had some tricks to training for the full mouth exam. She does fine with the bite and side views but still resists somewhat when I open her mouth to get a good full mouth view. I've shown her in non-AKC shows and we gotten by but I'd like to get her more willing to do this before enter the AKC world.

[mwaters]

I had the same problem with my guy. He was fine with the front and sides but 'open wide'...no way.

I fixed it by spitting treats into his mouth as soon as he would let me open it.

I had him sitting to start (so it was easier to put his head back) then opened his mouth (middle finger and thumb of each hand behind the canines on top and bottom jaw). As soon as I got his mouth open far enough, I'd spit a treat in and let go with my hands...lots of praise.

Gradually I extended the time his mouth was open before I spat the treat.

Hope this makes sense...and works for you too.

My fella has a great 'open wide' now.

Melissa

[rencook]

I taught my girl commands-"teeth" is for showing bite and lifting her flews-"open" is for opening her mouth. Started off real short times, every time she opened-click and treat. Gradually got her used to having it held open for longer and longer. Also, have friends and family work with her and her mouth-some judges will do the teeth themselves, others want you too!

[jayneliz]

Just a tip for you...

When I started training Aeva to show her dentition, I didn't realize when I was opening her mouth that I was covering her eyes. I had my SO video tape me one time and saw what I was doing and that was why the dog was fighting it. Once I kept my hand flat she opened up without problem.

[ali-t]

Originally Posted by mwaters

I fixed it by spitting treats into his mouth as soon as he would let me open it.

Now, that is dedication!

[Carol Burke]

Originally Posted by ali-t

Now, that is dedication!

It works, I have taught many dogs to show their full dentition by spitting a treat in their open mouth.

[ali-t]

Originally Posted by Carol Burke

It works, I have taught many dogs to show their full dentition by spitting a treat in their open mouth.

definitely one to practice with chicken or sausage than with liver

[Carol Burke]

Hotdogs work fine and if you put them in the microwave they are not greasy to carry in your pocket.

[Carol Burke]

I'm sorry, I posted a message and it did not show up so I reposted it then two showed up, I tried to delete one and ended up with a blank message. Sorry.

[maxcat]

How are you opening her mouth? This might sound weird, but if you push a little of her skin onto her teeth, she might open more easily. I started with that and then put a treat in the mouth the second it opened. Just did that a few times a day and then it was just part of the routine that he doesn't really like but does because he is used to it.

[lynn1128]

She'll open her mouth without any real problem. It's just getting her to hold it open long enough for the full exam that I'm having a little trouble with. Some of the non-AKC judges that I've showed with had no problem with how she was doing but some wanted to take a good long look at that was a little difficult. I just don't want it to become an unpleasant thing for her and then she won't want to do it at all.

[RottsNScotts]

Same answer. Start with dropping the treat in as soon as she opens then once she has figured out there is a treat involved, open her mouth and hold it open a moment longer than before then drop in the treat. When that is successful, add another moment, then another, then another until you have a reasonable length of time that she will keep her mouth open waiting for the treat.

[lynn1128]

I've been trying the spitting the treat trick and I have to admit that it's not working that well for me. I actually think that I'm making things worse and that she's resisting more. I'm not the best aim with the spitting of the treats LOL so I think that I'll try just dropping them in instead and see if that works better for me and Lana.

[Carol Burke]

Drop the treat from your mouth, that way both hands are free to hold her steady and hold her mouth open. Open mouth, lean down close to her mouth with your mouth, drop treat in her mouth.

[RottsNScotts]

Unless you are blessed with 3 hands (something we all wish for when handling dogs!), you are going to have to "spit" the treat into her mouth, not drop them in. Otherwise, you will not be treating her when you are holding her mouth open.

You just have to practice spitting treats; start doing it away from the open mouth practice. I am sure Lana will be MORE than happy to assist you in your practicing!