About Puppies and Teething

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Sitting beagle puppyTeething in puppies is the same basic behavior seen in human babies. Because puppies have baby teeth erupting from their gums, they will have some inflammation and the need to chew relieves the gum pain and itching. Puppies also lose baby teeth as the adult teeth start to come in. This will lead to a second teething stage with the same chewing behaviors.

Time Frame

Puppies start teething when they are about two weeks old, and it can continue until the puppy is about eight months of age. Baby teeth start coming through when the puppy is about three to four weeks old. The incisors in the front of the mouth are typically the first to emerge. When the puppy is about four to six weeks old, premolars start to erupt. Once the puppy is four to five months old, those baby teeth will begin falling out, and the adult teeth will begin to come in. All the puppy’s adult teeth should be in by the time he is seven to eight months old.

Significance

Teething is often a problem when a puppy becomes destructive with his owner’s belongings. Puppies seek anything they can find to chew on to relieve the pain in their swollen gums. Puppies may destroy furniture, shoes, children’s toys–anything the puppy can fit into his mouth. To keep this from happening, keep anything small out of a puppy’s reach until he is about eight months old. Provide him with plenty of things to chew on, and reward him for chewing on his things rather than yours.

Function

There are many dog toys that are made for teething puppies. Small bones that feature short, rounded nubs on them are made to massage a puppy’s gums as he chews. These can provide the puppy with some relief as well as being a fun toy. There are also a number of small rawhide toys that puppies can chew on for long periods, which keeps them occupied so they aren’t chewing on the furniture.

Prevention/Solution

Crate training can keep a home safe from a puppy while the owners are away. Crate training provides the puppy with a safe haven from home dangers that could cause accidents if the puppy is left unsupervised. With a soft cushion and a few toys, many puppies like a safe, quiet crate to sleep in. This keeps the puppy from chewing on the owner’s belongings as well as eliminating dangers that can occur when the puppy is alone, such as chewing on electrical wires.

Considerations

It’s important to engage in positive reinforcement when a puppy is teething. It may be tempting to spank a dog who is destroying something with his chewing, but it only teaches aggression to a puppy. It may make the puppy afraid of the owner, and it doesn’t help the problem. Instead, offer an alternative object to chew. Use a bright, cheery voice when offering the item in order to interest the puppy.