While some dogs take to their new Bristly brush right away, others may be confused by it. Just like toys you introduce to your dog, it may take time for them to understand that the Bristly is theirs and meant to be chewed on. If you’re having trouble getting your dog to start using their Bristly brush, try these solutions:

Clean your Bristly 

When Bristly is first taken out of the packaging, it may have a strong smell due to the natural rubber we use. It’s possible that your dog is put-off by the smell. If you believe this is a possible reason why your dog isn’t chewing their new Bristly, you can clean the bristly with soap and warm water, or put it directly into the dishwasher. 

Introduce the Toothpaste First

While we recommend introducing the Bristly with the toothpaste already applied, if your dog is not used to toothpaste, they may be confused by the paste coming out of their Bristly. Put a tiny amount of toothpaste on your finger and show it to your dog. Let them sniff and lick it off your finger. Once they realize that they like the taste of the toothpaste, show them as you add the toothpaste to the reservoir so that they understand that chewing the Bristly will release the yummy toothpaste. 

Use Peanut Butter

Take a spoonful of peanut butter and apply it to the bristles of the Bristly. Most dogs absolutely love the taste of peanut butter, so this will entice them while they get used to their new Bristly. You can even add some peanut butter to the toothpaste reservoir where you already put the toothpaste so that they’ll want to chew the Bristly to make the peanut butter come out. If your dog likes Kong toys, this option will work best for you. 

Set Bristly Down 

If you tried introducing Bristly by hand, try setting Bristly on the floor. Your dog may still seem uninterested, but they may just need a little more time getting acquainted with their new toothbrush. Keep Bristly in a room that you spend a lot of time in so that you can always supervise when your dog decides to begin using it. 

Show Them How It’s Done

This may seem silly, but if you’ve ever played with your dog’s toys on your own, you know it catches their attention quickly. You don’t have to actually use Bristly, simply pretend to chew it so that they know what to do with it. Try picking up one of their favorite chew toys first and pretending to chew it. When they get jealous and try to take it away, hide that bone behind your back and pick up Bristly and pretend to chew it, too. If your dog starts begging for Bristly, hand it over to them and let him/her begin brushing his/her teeth. 

Reward Good Behavior 

Reward-based dog training is a popular training technique that uses treats and positive-positive-reinforcement to teach dogs. You can use this type of training when first introducing Bristly to your dog. Whether your dog takes to Bristly immediately or you have to use the above tips to entice your dog, rewarding them with a treat or a “good dog!” will tell them that chewing on their Bristly is a good thing and they’ll be more likely to chew without help next time. 

Let us know in the comments ways you’ve introduced Bristly to your dog or if you still need help getting your dog to use their Bristly brush.