How Dental Discomfort Affects Dog Training and Focus
So, you hold a treat in your hand, give a couple of commands, but your fur baby doesn't really seem to follow you. Unless your German Shepherd or French Bulldog is worried about anti-immigrant rhetoric, the distracted dog may be suffering from oral discomfort. The latter doesn’t let them focus on training, so they end up totally distracted and not very excited to take part.
In our blog, we’ve already talked about the signs of dental pain in dogs. Now that you know them, let’s see how mouth pain can mess with their focus and training. Plus, we’ll let you know what you can do to help them feel better.
Serious Lack of Attention from a Fluffy Mutt
Photo by Valeriia Miller from Unsplash
Your little four-legged student should be 100% concentrated on the process to learn new commands. If the mutt is in tooth pain or gum irritation, training sessions may be too overwhelming.
You might notice the following behavioral changes in dogs:
- Avoiding taking treats (especially the ones that crunch)
- Quickly losing interest even in the most exciting commands
- Being totally distracted (while no distractions are buzzing around)
They Get Easily Irritated
Stress and anxiety in dogs happen for many different reasons. It can be social, travel, or separation anxiety in dogs. However, persistent pain can also become the reason why your woofer is absolutely disconnected from you. If normally your pet is calm and attentive, you should know that something is going wrong when they are:
- Restless and grumpy
- Reactive around other people and canines
- Too sensitive when you touch them near the face
A lot of pet owners misunderstand this kind of behavior as disobedience. Don’t! The truth is that it’s a natural reaction to discomfort in the mouth.
No More Love for Squeaky Toys
Photo by Jesper Brouwers from Unsplash
Chewing is a natural way to help maintain dental health for dogs. It gives mental stimulation and keeps them engaged. That is why you can use chewing toys to give your good boy multiple ways to have fun while performing effective training. If the mutt suffers from painful teeth or sore gums, no chewing is possible. It becomes uncomfortable. Pups either stop chewing altogether or do it selectively, i.e., they pick softer items. Canines may stop reacting to the commands associated with chewing or suddenly abandon favorite toys during the learning session. Shift from nibbling or gently licking is also possible, signaling the problem might be in the mouth.
They Refuse Their Favorite Nom-Noms
Photo by Petr Magera from Unsplash
At HealthyWoof, we know the power of treats. They’re a huge part of the training process because they reward the pooch’s efforts. Besides, all those tasty bites help when you’ve no idea of how to get your dog to come when distracted. But when it hurts, snackies (just like toys) lose their appeal. You might think your future K-9 is simply picky or not interested in the training process. But the reality is that dental discomfort might be in the game. We recommend trying soft treats. Or, as an alternative, get small, easy-to-swallow pieces. And remember to plan a visit to the vet, too.
Help Your Dog Train Better Through Better Dental Care
While nothing can replace a professional teeth checkup, you are someone who can help woofers feel more enthusiastic and focused during training. Try this simple routine:
- Notice literally everything. If your furry buddy suddenly avoids that crinkly duck or plush monkey they loved so much just a couple of days ago, it’s a signal that something hurts.
- Use vet-approved dental products. Wipes, water additives, sprays, gels, or green dental powder for dogs help avoid brushes and maintain dental health when done consistently. What is the best dental powder for dogs? The one that is 100% pet-friendly, and pet parents and vet-approved. Browse our catalog to find what works for your pup.
- Plan regular vet visits so that a professional can check breath, gums, teeth, etc.
- Remember, it is not necessarily bad behavior. It can be pain. So don’t push without knowing what is going on.
Finally, our special recommendation is to talk to a qualified trainer and dog behaviour expert. They know the science behind the dog training practices, so getting practical tips from them would be a good idea. Meanwhile, we at HealthyWoof will be here to help you keep a solid oral hygiene routine for the companion bow-wows in your life.
