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My dog won't open its mouth for brushing, what can I do?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
You do not actually need your dog to open its mouth wide, since brushing the outer surfaces of the teeth with the mouth mostly closed still reaches most of the plaque that matters. Gently lift the lip on one side at a time and brush along the gumline from the outside rather than trying to pry the jaws apart.
Why a wide open mouth is not required
Most tartar builds up on the outer, cheek facing surfaces of the teeth, which you can reach perfectly well with the mouth closed by simply lifting the lip and sliding the brush along the gumline. Trying to force a wide open mouth is both unnecessary and more likely to cause resistance.
A technique that works with a closed mouth
Lift the lip on one side using your free hand, angle the brush at roughly 45 degrees toward the gumline, and use small circular motions moving from front to back along the outer teeth. Repeat on the other side, and this alone covers the areas most prone to tartar without needing full jaw access.
If your dog clamps down hard
A dog that clamps its jaw shut tightly the moment a brush appears is usually anxious rather than simply stubborn, so returning to shorter, lower pressure sessions with just a flavored finger for a week or two often resolves this faster than trying to work around a clamped jaw.
A gentle way to encourage a brief open mouth
Smearing a small amount of something appealing, like a dab of peanut butter without xylitol or a bit of broth, on the roof of the mouth occasionally can encourage a brief natural open mouth moment, giving you a quick chance to glimpse the back teeth without needing to physically pry the jaw open.
If jaw clamping seems to be getting worse rather than better despite patient practice, filming a short session on your phone and reviewing it afterward sometimes reveals a specific moment or trigger you missed in the moment that is worth adjusting your approach around.
Key takeaways
- Brushing the outer tooth surfaces with the mouth closed reaches most of the areas that matter.
- Lift the lip and angle the brush toward the gumline rather than prying the jaw open.
- A tightly clamped jaw usually signals anxiety, best addressed by returning to shorter, gentler sessions.