Since so many people seem to have a difficult time just getting their dogs down on their sides or backs I thought it would be a good idea to illustrate how to accomplish it. 

It's really quite easy.  Start with the dog in your lap, against your chest.  Keeping the dog pinned to your chest, lower the dog to the pillow at your side, bending your body to meet the pillow. 

You will be pulling out your right arm that is behind the dog as you let the dog's weight rest on the pillow.  The dog will now be sandwiched between your chest and the pillow.  Move your left hand to the dog's shoulder to keep him in place.

Once the dog starts to relax you can raise you body away from the dog.  Don't try to sit up until the dog is resigned to staying put, then you use your right had to keep the dog in place while you reach for the toothbrush.

This shows the dog in a proper prone position.  Gently wagging the dog's muzzle up and down for a bit can have a calming effect.  Do this whenever you want to move the dog's head if he is tense.

You use your left hand to brush and your left forearm to prevent the dog from shifting or getting away from you.

Use your right hand to hold the dog's muzzle and control the head.

Until the dog is trained, and you are comfortable with your ability to restrain the dog, you should use a helper to place hands on the dog's shoulder and thigh.

This photograph illustrates a lap position of restraining your dog for brushing the teeth.  Use a pillow at your side to extend the lap surface.

If the IG is smaller you can put the dog in your lap cradled between your legs with it's head away from you, near your knees.  I really like this position when I can prop up my feet on an ottoman.

More than half the battle is becoming skilled at really restraining your dog. 

Every time they struggle and get loose they will be encouraged escalate their efforts at "arguing" with you.  With an IG, this can seem to be hysterics of operatic proportion.  Don't be discouraged by this type of performance.

Rather like Native American papooses, they will remain calmer if kept snug and under control.

 

To get the brush into the side of the dog's cheek you hold the head of the brush on it's side and gently work it under the corner of the dog's mouth.  Always brush gently, but briskly, in a small circular motion.

Brush the upper and lower small teeth (called premolars),on the sides, between the canine teeth and molars, using your thumb and fingers to expose the gum line. 

Move on to brushing the back upper molars.

At this point you should use the toothbrush to stretch the cheek away from the dog's teeth so you can see just how far back the teeth.

As you dog gets conditioned to having it's teeth brushed get into the habit of looking at each tooth carefully to inspect for plaque/tartar you might be missing or any signs of infection such as bleeding, red or inflamed gums.

Fortunately, this is extremely rare if you are being a responsible IG owner by brushing thoroughly and daily.

 

There is frequently a third, very small molar behind the front 2 larger molars.  It's usually positioned curving in towards the inside of the mouth. (This photo was taken with the dog's nose pointed up and to the right)

 You probably won't see it by just pulling the cheek back.  Try feeling for it with your finger or prop the mouth open and pull back the cheek as I have done for this photo.

I only the prop the mouth open and brush these teeth by feel.  Do inspect these molars often as per directions above, to be sure you are brushing them thoroughly.

Some dogs figure out the trick of pulling the corner of their mouths back far enough (like a very forced grin) to get the toothbrush to pop out of their mouth. 

To prevent this, use your thumb to stretch the upper lip towards the dog's nose.

Notice how the brush (and teeth) go as far back as the hairy mole on the dog's cheek.

You cannot brush the dog's lower molars efficiently without propping the dog's mouth open.

Figure 1 & 2 shows one position for propping open the dog's mouth.  For dog's that like to bite down hard on your finger you can use your right forefinger to push the dog's right lip into the side of the mouth, over the dog's premolars. This discomfort will discourage the dog from biting down hard.  Since it is a little bit uncomfortable I only do this when necessary.  In figure 2 notice how I use my right thumb against the lower jaw to help keep the mouth open.

Figure 3 shows another position that some people find easier to reach certain parts of the mouth, especially the right (back) side of the dog's mouth.

Note that I have the entire mouth and lower jaw stabilized with my hand and fingers.    Without keeping the lower jaw stabilized you will not be able to maintain control.  You can also use the last 3 fingers of the brush-holding hand to help keep the dog's head in place.

With the mouth propped open you can now reach the rearmost smallest molar that is behind the two large molars on top as well as have full access to the bottom molars and gum line.

So long as I already have the mouth propped open I go ahead and brush the incisors (the small teeth in the front, between the canine teeth on top and bottom), inside and out. 

Brush the insides of the premolars, top and bottom, when doing the insides of the incisors. 

You will also be able to do a better job on the lower canines on the outside when the mouth is open.

Contrary to popular belief, most IGs will eventually get some tartar build up on the insides of their molars.  I've seen some that actually got terrible recession on the insides of the upper molars. 

You will want to have your dog fairly well conditioned to having the brushed before working on the inside of the molars.  

The dog will feel like it's gagging a bit, especially when doing the insides of the lower molars, so try to do this as calmly and quickly as possible.  If you find it impossible (and this is the one spot I will concede to being especially difficult and possibly impossible for the average person) to do the inside of the lower molars so be sure to specifically ask your vet to check there too during the annual check-up.  The good news is that the insides of the lower molars is most likely the last place a dog will get tartar.

Moving on to the right side of the dog's mouth you will need to turn the dog's head back to face you. 

Don't forget to wag the dogs muzzle gently if he is tense.

Doing the backside of the head might seem a bit difficult. Try experimenting with different holding positions.

Do the teeth in whatever order you prefer so long as you are consistent and getting all surfaces thoroughly brushed.

This will probably all feel terribly awkward at first, but you will find your rhythm if you patiently keep at it.

How you end the procedure is very important too.

When finished with the teeth, scoop the dog back up to your arms, on your terms,  meaning, you control this change of position, don't let the dog do it.

Give some serious snugs and kisses and tell the dog how great he is.  This should be the ultimate reward for his cooperation.

Before letting the dog go on it's merry way, try laying back and letting the dog play at dominating you for a bit.  Most dogs will get very frisky and smother you with kisses. 

This is a sure sign that they really don't resent your taking charge all that much.

Example of tartar buildup on the canines of a 2.5 year old Italian Greyhound. (Left side of mouth)

These photos illustrate why you should take daily care of your IG's teeth.

(These aren't the best photos because I only had one hand for the mouth and the camera in the other.)

This IG is lucky that he has good teeth and dental enamel under all that gunk.  Note the swelling and dark colour of the gums.  This is the beginning of gum disease.

BEFORE.

He is also lucky that his incisors are of a good size and un crowded.

 I've seen tartar on IG's teeth soon after the adult teeth emerge.

Even worse, I've known IGs that have had to have extractions at 1 year old!

AFTER.

PRETTY!  This is the same dog's canines and incisors after a standing dental and a couple of weeks of daily brushing.  

Note the improved gum colour and how the inflammation has gone down.

BEFORE.

(STINKY!)

AFTER.

Much nicer to get kisses from!

This should drive home the fact that IGs must have their DAILY to maintain excellent oral hygiene.

These teeth belong to an 8 year old Italian Greyhound whose owner and vet probably never thought to look in the poor thing's mouth, that is, IF the dog ever HAD a visit to the vet!

Note how the tartar almost reaches the tips of the canine teeth.

This dog required an anaesthesia dental because of the extent of the gum recession, massive chunks of tartar on the inside of the teeth and needed 8 extraction's.

It must also be mentioned that this guy was skin and bones because of his inability to eat without extreme pain.

I am happy to report that the patient is doing MUCH better now!