Teeth and teething
Puppies have 28 puppy teeth (milk teeth/deciduous teeth) which feel like razor blades! They can start falling out from around 14 weeks of age. 42 adult teeth replace the puppy teeth.
Although your young puppy will have learned and understood bite inhibition with his mother, siblings and me, teething is uncomfortable and your young dog may get frustrated. Also sometimes he might simply get carried away while playing. Puppies know very quickly who is the weakest link, who they can treat like a litter mate and with who they don't have to control their jaw. Your puppy will have been told by his mother, in no uncertain terms, that he is not to bite her, even for fun. He will have learnt to respect her. You need to give the same clear message of what is and isn't acceptable behaviour. Remember you are to become his pack-leader.
From around 12 to 16 weeks your puppy is moving from puppyhood into the adolescent stage and this may be a challenging time for you and your puppy. Do be patient but also consistent with your training and the messages you are giving your puppy. At this age he will chew on cables and children's toys, mostly.
From around 4 to 6 months the adult teeth will be coming through, this can be another uncomfortable time for your young dog so be prepared with plenty of appropriate chew toys and continue with your consistent messages. At this age he will turn to your walls, skirting boards, shoes, books and any other resistant object that might just happen to be under his nose when he is idle and in pain.
The last and the biggest teeth come through between 7/8 months which is why puppies who have stopped chewing, often start again to bring through (and bed in) those big back molars.
At around 9 months old your young dog will have all 42 of his/her adult teeth and be looking more like an adult dog. This does not mean that chewing is over... I have seen dogs carry on chewing until 18 months old, plaster being their favourite...
Although your young puppy will have learned and understood bite inhibition with his mother, siblings and me, teething is uncomfortable and your young dog may get frustrated. Also sometimes he might simply get carried away while playing. Puppies know very quickly who is the weakest link, who they can treat like a litter mate and with who they don't have to control their jaw. Your puppy will have been told by his mother, in no uncertain terms, that he is not to bite her, even for fun. He will have learnt to respect her. You need to give the same clear message of what is and isn't acceptable behaviour. Remember you are to become his pack-leader.
From around 12 to 16 weeks your puppy is moving from puppyhood into the adolescent stage and this may be a challenging time for you and your puppy. Do be patient but also consistent with your training and the messages you are giving your puppy. At this age he will chew on cables and children's toys, mostly.
From around 4 to 6 months the adult teeth will be coming through, this can be another uncomfortable time for your young dog so be prepared with plenty of appropriate chew toys and continue with your consistent messages. At this age he will turn to your walls, skirting boards, shoes, books and any other resistant object that might just happen to be under his nose when he is idle and in pain.
The last and the biggest teeth come through between 7/8 months which is why puppies who have stopped chewing, often start again to bring through (and bed in) those big back molars.
At around 9 months old your young dog will have all 42 of his/her adult teeth and be looking more like an adult dog. This does not mean that chewing is over... I have seen dogs carry on chewing until 18 months old, plaster being their favourite...
By Kira Leith-Ross 2020
