Somewhere between 3 and 6 months, your adorable puppy becomes a land shark. Everything goes in the mouth. Everything. Fingers, furniture, shoelaces, baseboards, remote controls, your favorite shoes. This is teething — and understanding what's happening helps you respond to it effectively rather than just getting progressively angrier at a puppy who has no idea what they're doing wrong.
What's Happening
Puppies are born without teeth. Baby teeth erupt between 3-6 weeks of age. Adult teeth start replacing them from 3-4 months and the process is complete by 6-7 months. During this transition, gums are sore, itchy, and uncomfortable. Chewing provides relief — the pressure against the sore gum tissue actually feels good. Your puppy is not being malicious. They're seeking pain relief.
What to Provide
Appropriate chew objects are the most important management tool during teething. The goal is to make appropriate options more appealing than your belongings. Good teething chews are: appropriately sized (shouldn't fit entirely in the mouth), safe to chew on (no splinters, no small pieces that break off), and texturally satisfying.
A cotton rope toy provides excellent gum relief — the fibers work between teeth and the texture is naturally satisfying. A frozen lick mat with wet food or yogurt provides cool, soothing relief for inflamed gums. Cold is helpful — the temperature reduces inflammation the same way ice helps human teething pain.
Redirecting Biting
When teeth contact skin: say 'ouch' and immediately end the interaction. Walk away for 30-60 seconds. Return and offer an appropriate chew. Repeat every time. The lesson: teeth on skin ends the fun. Chew toys continue it. Most puppies get this within a week of consistent application.
This Too Shall Pass
Teething is temporary. By 7 months, the adult teeth are in and the chewing urge decreases significantly. The puppy who destroyed your furniture at 4 months is not destined to be a destructive adult dog — they were a teething puppy who needed better management and more appropriate outlets.
Built with love, in memory of JJ. 🐾💛
