Puppies are a gift from the gods. Yet they come with a few side effects like nipping and chewing during their teething phase. When your precious puppy is teething, it can both drive you crazy and leave you wondering what you can do to comfort your pup during this difficult period. When it comes to keeping your canine in line with appropriate chewing options and feeling their best, it’s not complicated. It just takes a bit of initiative and patience. If you’ve been wondering how you can help your puppy through the teething process, we have what you need to know.
What Should Every Pup Parent Know About Teething?
Just like children, your puppy has a set of milk teeth that will fall out and be replaced with pearly white adult choppers. While these little teeth are adorable, they can be quite sharp. In fact, puppies have 28 sharp teeth that they will begin to loosen and fall out around the 3-month mark. It takes about three more months for all puppy teeth to fall out. So, if you’re at the 4-month mark, stick with it, you only have two months to go.
Many puppy parents wonder why their puppies seem to chew on everything. Puppies learn about the world around them through their mouths. They explore the world through textures and density. This is a time they also learn how to play appropriately.
Teething is also a painful process. This discomfort can encourage more chewing than usual. Losing teeth and burgeoning new bicuspids can leave your pup’s gums sore, and gnawing and chewing can soothe this discomfort and help your pup enjoy a little relief.
How Can You Support Your Puppy Through the Teething Process?
1. Provide Appropriate Chewing Opportunities
Giving your puppy appropriate toys to chew on is the most important part of the teething process. Chew toys not only help soothe your pup’s oral pain, but they also reinforce positive habits. Our Puppy-Friendly Cotton Rope Toy Set comes with a rubber chew ring, which is the perfect way to pamper your pup’s mouth. You can freeze this ring for additional soothing power. This pack also comes with enough 100% cotton ropes to get your pup through the teething phase. These machine-washable ropes keep your pup’s adult teeth clean and healthy for a lifetime of positive dental health.
2. Teach Your Pup About Appropriate Play
Once you receive your pup’s new teething toys, you will want to prevent nipping and harmful biting by encouraging gentle play. When your dog bites a little too hard, be sure to let them know that it hurt you. You can say “Ow!” loudly and pull your hand away. Discontinue playing to remind your pup that rough play is not fun, and you will only participate in gentle play.
When your new best friend is playing appropriately with the ropes and rubber ring, celebrate his restraint and choice of toys with positive reinforcement
3. Begin a Dental Hygiene Routine Now
Veterinary dental bills may not matter to you now, but retained baby teeth can become costly. Healthy play can help loosen these teeth, so your pup doesn’t have to have them extracted by your vet.
Additionally, as your puppy grows into a handsome and loving adult dog, dental bills can add up over time. Start an oral care routine while your best buddy is still tiny to prevent Mastiff-sized dental bills later. Keeping your dog’s teeth healthy will also keep him happy for years to come. Rope toys work like floss to remove debris and plaque to help maintain healthy gums and teeth. Puppyhood is also the best time to introduce tooth brushing. Be sure to choose a dog-friendly toothbrush and paste.
Healthy Chewing from Puppyhood On
Your puppy doesn’t mean any harm when he’s teething. He just doesn’t understand what’s okay to chew on and what isn’t. Providing playtime opportunities helps your puppy learn about healthy chewing and relieves gum pain. Many dogs continue to adore chewing as they enter adulthood, so be sure to replace your pup’s toys as they wear out to keep his teeth strong and healthy. We hope your four-legged best friend has a blast bonding and growing under your care!
