How to Train Your Small Dog to Show His Teeth

He may be small, but his personality is huge. He's always looking for attention when guests are over. But while he may be content with cuddles, you'd like to put his energy to good use and teach him a neat trick. While loads of dogs can roll over, not so many can smile on command. He's also the perfect canine candidate for the smiling trick because he's got a great big set of teeth for a little dog.

Training him to smile on cue is guaranteed to draw a chuckle, even from straight-faced in-laws. It also makes for a great way for you and Fido to bond together. Not to mention he will quickly go social media famous when selfies of you and your grinning dog appear. Finally, accomplishing this type of training will make it easier to teach him a range of other commands too.

It’s actually much easier than many people realize to teach your little dog to show his teeth. The main hurdle is getting him to understand what you want him to do at the beginning. But once he knows that, you just need to cement the habit by dishing out treats and toys. In fact, the majority of training is about consistent practice.

It’s good news if Fido is still a puppy. This means he should be a fast learner and you could see results in just a matter of days. However, if he’s older and more interested in dozing than learning, then it may take a couple of weeks. If you can get this training right, you can also easily get him to show his teeth when you need to brush them or have the vet inspect them.

For training to succeed, you’ll need to gather a few bits. So stock up on treats or break his favorite food into small chunks. If you use a clicker when you train then you will also need one of those. Toys will be required for one of the methods as well. You need just a few minutes each day for training and you can practice in a relatively quiet space, away from distractions.

Then just bring patience and positivity, and work can begin!