Puppy Teething: What to Expect and How to Help

Puppies lose their deciduous teeth between roughly three and seven months, and chewing during that period is a need rather than naughtiness.

What helps

Cold chew toys, a frozen wet cloth, and rubber toys that flex. Rotate them to keep novelty.

What to avoid

Antlers, hooves, hard nylon bones and cooked bones — all fracture teeth. A rough rule: if you cannot dent it with a thumbnail, it is too hard.

Retained baby teeth

If an adult tooth erupts beside a baby tooth that has not fallen out, usually a canine, it traps food and misaligns the bite. It needs extraction, often at the time of neutering.

Redirect, do not punish

Swap your hand or the furniture for an approved chew every time. Consistency matters more than correction.