There are few things more exciting compared to bringing home a puppy. Those big floppy ears and the tiny wagging tail are sufficient to melt our hearts. It is certainly a celebration time for the entire family. However, after the initially blissful weeks, puppies start developing and this often means growing pains.
One of the earliest issues we face in the growing phase of our puppies is teething. Whether you have a puppy from a breeder or get a six-month-old rescued pup from the shelter, teething is an inevitable part of a puppy’s growing up. This phase can be fussy, painful, and often results in our favorite stuff getting slobbered on and chewed up.
Understanding Teething:
In general, deciduous or puppy teeth start appearing within the age of two to four weeks. Prime puppy-teething usually begins when the puppies are three to four months old. This phase can last for two to three months. During the teething phase, adult canines of your pup will start appearing and replacing the puppy teeth. You need not worry if you can’t find the original puppy teeth lying anywhere in the house. As their adult teeth start appearing, many pups just swallow their puppy teeth.
Start Soothing:
Most techniques for soothing teething puppies rely on chewing. A variety of chew-toy options are available in any pet supply store. In these stores, you will find rawhide bones, chew sticks, plastic toys, rubber toys, and much more. While everything is not really required, it is useful to have several options. During the course of their teething, there may be a change in the kind of soothing a puppy craves. Therefore, it is handy to have enough options to accommodate that.
In order to cover all the bases, it is good to have something soft, hard, as well as edible, such as a bone or chew stick. It also helps to have different textures and shapes. At times, ice cubes can also provide great relief to a teething puppy.
A tug-of-war toy can be really useful during the teething phase. In addition to teething, this activity is also great for training. This training can prove to be critical for the development of a puppy.
Proper Training:
It is not easy to train a puppy at this stage, but good chewing habits can surely be reinforced. As the puppy starts chewing, just ensure that he or she gets the right things to chew. Instead of punishing your puppy, replace bad things with the good ones to chew.
During the teething phase, puppies learn a lot about life and this includes how to bite. When it comes to nipping, this is the time when they learn the right from the wrongs. If they bite you, let them know they hurt you by giving out an audible “ouch.” As they grow into their mouths, this will teach them not to nip.
The teething period is also a great time for crate training. As soon as your puppy gets into the crate, give a treat to him or her. After a while, they will start enjoying their time inside the crate. While doing this, ensure that your dog has adequate water and a comfortable bed in the crate.
Dental Care:
Once the teething phase is over, most of the puppies know the good from the bad in terms of chewing. This means they will now start avoiding materials that are harmful to their teeth. This is the time when you should start brushing your pup’s teeth. While brushing, you should only use proper dog toothpaste as the human stuff could make your puppy sick.
These were just a few simple teething tips for your furry friend that you can follow. Please check out Pet Parents for any other questions you may have about your pet.