Puppy Teething Survival Guide: Help Your Pup Through It

Between 3 and 6 months, your adorable puppy becomes a tiny shark with needle teeth. It's not aggression - it's teething, and it's genuinely painful for them. A little understanding plus the right tools makes the whole phase much easier for both of you.

The teething timeline

• 2-4 weeks: baby teeth start appearing
• 3-4 months: the shark phase begins - baby teeth loosen
• 4-6 months: adult teeth push through - the worst of the chewing
• 6-8 months: most puppies have their full adult set

Give them something to chew (on purpose)

Puppies chew to relieve pain - if you don't provide the right targets, they'll pick their own. Frozen chews are magic during teething.

• Frozen washcloths - wet, twist, freeze; soft and soothing
• Freezeable chew toys filled with a little broth or peanut butter
• Kong-style rubber toys - durable and satisfying
• Natural chews like bully sticks (supervised only)
• Avoid ice cubes that are hard enough to crack teeth - go for mushy

Protect your home

• Puppy-proof low shelves and hide cables
• Use bitter-tasting deterrent spray on furniture legs
• Keep shoes and remotes out of reach - they're the favorite
• Crate training gives them a safe chew zone when you can't supervise

Teething is temporary - the sharp phase lasts a few weeks. Provide relief, redirect constantly, and you'll come out the other side with a happy puppy and an intact couch.