Bringing home a new puppy is an exhilarating and joyful experience. However, it comes with challenges, primarily the teething phase, where your fur baby discovers the world and chews everything in sight. This article will guide you through understanding the teething process, protecting your belongings while ensuring your puppy’s safety, and maintaining their dental health. Let’s dive in!
The Puppy Teething Process
Just like human babies, puppies undergo a teething phase as they grow. This phase usually begins around 16 weeks of age when their milk teeth begin to fall out and are replaced by permanent adult teeth. This process can last for about four months, and during this time, it is essential to provide proper care and guidance to ensure your puppy’s dental health and happiness.
Understanding Destructive Chewing Behavior
Ever wondered why puppies feel the need to chew everything during this teething phase? Their gums experience discomfort and sometimes pain as milk teeth fall out and new teeth emerge. Chewing helps soothe this irritation while also aiding in healthy tooth growth. The challenge is guiding them toward appropriate chewing objects while keeping their belongings safe.
How to Create a Puppy-Proof Home During the Teething Phase
Chewing and Teething Toys
One of the simplest ways to protect your belongings is by providing your puppy with a range of chew toys specially designed for teething. These come in different materials and shapes, such as Rubber Kong toys, Nylabones, and dog bones. Some can even be stuffed with food or meat paste, making them more enticing to chew. Ensure you have a mix of soft and durable toys to cater to your puppy’s changing needs during this phase.
Cold Chews and Frozen Treats for Discomfort Relief
Another excellent option for soothing your puppy’s gums is using cold chews and frozen treats. Brands like Chilly Bones offer toys that can be soaked and frozen, while Kong toys can be stuffed with food and frozen. Even frozen carrots can be a safe and healthy alternative, but be careful, as they may stain your carpets. Remember, while ice cubes may seem like a good idea, they can be too rough on your puppy’s teeth and pose a choking hazard.
Encountering an emergency during your puppy’s teething phase is something we all hope to avoid. It’s essential to have access to expert help when needed. Services such as Crossroads Veterinary Hospital emergency vet services can comfort concerned pet parents when urgent situations arise.
Puppy-Proofing Living Spaces
So how do you teach your puppy appropriate chewing habits? By giving them desirable options for their toys and removing or hiding items not meant for chewing. This means tidying up your living spaces and removing any tempting but off-limits objects that could lead to destructive chewing incidents.
Hiding Personal Belongings and Valuables
Your puppy is naturally drawn towards items that smell like you – shoes, socks, and phones, for example. Try to store these items out of your puppy’s reach to avoid unwanted nibbling. High shelves or closed cabinets are great options to keep valuables safe.
Safety Measures During Teething
Your puppy’s safety is paramount, especially when they might chew on hazardous materials like power cables or swallow small objects. Puppy-proof your home by implementing child locks on drawers and cabinets and utilizing dog gates to keep your puppy away from dangerous areas.
Alternative therapies, such as cold laser therapy, can offer additional comfort and relief to your puppy during this stage. To learn more about how this therapy works, read here for detailed information and its potential benefits.
Tips for Managing and Redirecting Chewing Behavior
Using positive reinforcement and distractions like playtime and mental stimulation can work wonders in managing your puppy’s chewing habits. Encourage them to chew on appropriate toys and praise them when they do. Establishing routines and providing consistent guidance will help your puppy understand what objects are acceptable for chewing.
Dealing with Setbacks and Mishaps
It’s normal to have the occasional setback during this phase, and it’s essential to remain patient and consistent. If your puppy does chew on something they shouldn’t, it’s important not to overreact. Instead, calmly redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy and reinforce positive behavior.
Monitoring Your Puppy’s Dental Health
Regularly checking your puppy’s teeth and mouth is crucial during teething. Keep an eye out for any unusual signs or issues. If you notice any concerns or if their adult teeth do not emerge as expected, it’s wise to consult a puppy vet to evaluate their dental health and provide expert guidance.
The Bottom Line
Helping your puppy navigate their teething phase without sacrificing its belongings can be challenging but achievable with proper planning, patience, and routine care. You and your furry friend will flourish during this phase and beyond by understanding their chewing needs, providing appropriate toys, and maintaining a safe environment. So take a deep breath and enjoy this particular time with your growing puppy.
