How to Manage Your Puppy's Teething
Survival Tips for Chewing
Although frustrating to owners, teething is an important stage for puppies and is valuable in not only relieving the pain of cutting new teeth, but teething also helps with boredom. Your new puppy just needs to have appropriate chew toys and not your furniture, shoes, socks, and even harmful electrical cords.
Remove All Non-Chewing Items
Don’t even allow him to chew on an old sock or shoe because in his canine mind he doesn’t see the difference betwee old socks or shoes and new ones.
Puppy Proof Your Home
Pretend you have a toddler in your home. Therefore, you need to cover up all electric outlets with safety plugs. Secure cabinets and drawers with child safety locks. To make sure you’ve covered everything, get on all fours and crawl throughout your house, just as a baby.
Confine Him
Rather than let your puppy roam throughout your house, keep him (or her) confined into a small area where there’s nothing he can chew. Most owners place their new puppy in a non-carpeted area (such as a kitchen). Then, make sure you puppy-proof it, picking up any items in his reach that he could chew. Even then, you still have to supervise him because he can easily chew woodwork and molding. To discourage chewing apply a commercial solution (such as “Yuck”, found at pet stores) that has a terrible taste.
Supply Chew Toys
Before you even bring home your new puppy, be sure you have an ample supply of safe chew toys. Select toys that he can’t destroy (rather than squeaky toys where he can chew through the fabric or plastic, risking the danger of choking on the squeaker.) Provide dental bones, too. Also, freeze some of his chew toys as the coldness helps to alleviate the discomfort of teething.
When He Bites
Rest assured, there will be those times when he mistakes your fingers for chew toys. When that happens, let out a yelping “Ouch!” Then say, “That hurts!”
Socialize Him
A good way for a puppy to understand that biting other puppies is not acceptable is to socialize him. Take him to puppy training classes where he’ll quickly learn from his peers not to use them as chewing toys. In addition, socialization is good in that he gets to meet other puppies, preventing the problem of aggression and over-anxiousness when confronting other dogs on walks.
Use Positive Reinforcement
This isn’t to say you don’t correct him, but do it gently, as well as firmly. When you catch him chewing on an off-limits item, quickly remove the item and say, “No! You chew on your toy instead.” Don’t physically hurt him or berate him so he’s even more anxious.
Crate Train
When you have to leave him alone, confine him to a crate. You may not want to use the same small crate you use to potty train at night. Instead, use a larger one to give him more room to play with his toys.
Give Him Plenty of Exercise
By walking your puppy regularly and letting him romp through a fenced-in yard you're giving him something to do besides chew. Toss him balls and Frisbees, allowing him to run freely off the leash.
It Won’t Last Forever
Getting through the teething stage takes time, but it doesn’t last forever. Most puppies teethe from about five months to a year or longer. Just stock up on a variety of chew toys and enjoy the joys of puppyhood. Before long, he’ll grow into an older dog and you’ll wonder how the time flew by so quickly.
Have a Variety of Chew Toys for Your Puppy
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