Getting a new puppy is an exciting and fun time for pet parents. However, you may already fear one part of your new puppy’s development: teething. Part of a puppy’s growing process is learning what things to bite (and not bite) as their new teeth grow, which starts when they are just a few weeks old.
This can be a rather painful endeavor when your puppy begins to “playfully” nibble at your fingers and toes. However, it is important to note that this is a normal part of your puppy’s education and can be eliminated with training. Teething is a necessary part of growing your puppy into an adult dog.
Let’s learn what the symptoms of puppy teething are and how they can be managed safely and healthily.
What is puppy teething?
Your puppy’s baby teeth will come out much earlier than human babies, about two weeks after birth. Around three months old, puppies will begin to lose their baby teeth to make room for their adult teeth.
This can be an uncomfortable process for puppies as they will begin to find things to chew on to relieve the pain of their gums. Common side effects may include drooling and excessive pinching.
Puppy teething toys will help keep your puppy from biting everything he comes into contact with while helping him with the pain of teething. You can also use rubber toys and teething sticks to get your dog to chew on objects without having to puppy-proof the entire house.
Whatever you make your puppy chew on, make sure the toys aren’t too hard for your puppy’s teeth or don’t fall apart easily as this can lead to complications with teething. However, this may not be enough on its own to stop your puppy from biting you.
How to stop your puppy from biting
Scream when it hurts
Biting is a part of the puppy’s socialization with other puppies. Puppies bite each other and let themselves know when they squeeze too hard by yelping. Likewise, you can teach your puppy not to bite you by making a loud sound every time he does so. This will teach your puppy that it hurts you and that you are not having fun.
Ignore him
Another helpful strategy might be to simply ignore him and walk away when he bothers you. If your furry friend doesn’t seem to respond or stop when you scream, simply not participating could help teach your dog that nipping isn’t something you want to reward. It can also help teach your dog playtime limits.
Find something they can bite
As stated earlier, teething toys and regular chew toys can help stop your puppy from biting and satiate his need to bite something. Offering a substitute for your finger or toe during nipping helps your dog understand what he can and cannot bite.
Use positive reinforcement
Just as you should ignore him when he bites you, you should pay attention to your dog when he does something you want. You can give him a treat and praise him when he backs away after screaming or when he uses a chew toy instead of biting you or your furniture. If your dog doesn’t seem to know what to do with the excitement of play, taking him for a walk or to a dog park could help him curb what may simply be excess energy.
Frequently asked questions about puppy teething
How long does puppy teething last?
A puppy’s teething phase usually lasts until around seven months of age, with all permanent teeth erupting around six months. This can vary as puppies have different stages of development depending on breed and size, with large breeds teething earlier than small ones.
Should I brush my dog’s teeth?
How can I calm my puppy while he is teething?
You can ease your puppy’s teething symptoms by giving him dog toys that help the teething process or by having him bite on frozen puppy food. Whether biting dog food or a toy purchased at a pet store, the act of biting helps soothe your pup’s sore gums. You should not give ice cubes to your puppy because it may be too harsh on your puppy’s premolars and incisors.