Puppy Teething 101: Phases and How To Survive The Biting

Both of my dogs are fully grown now, but when I think back to the teething stage, I can still remember the feeling of razorblade-sharp puppy teeth biting into my hand. OUCH! As a puppy loses those sharp baby teeth and his adult teeth start coming in, they will bite down on practically anything they can fit their mouth around. I’m not just talking about dog toys and bones. That “anything” also includes your hands, feet, shoes, furniture, wall molding, etc.

If you’ve just entered the teething stage then you’re likely wondering, “How long is this going to last?!” As a general rule of thumb, larger dog breeds go through the teething phase/get their adult teeth quicker than smaller breeds. But the following timeline will help give you an idea of what to expect:

Puppy Teething Stages

  • Birth: No teeth yet.
  • 2-4 weeks: Puppy teeth start coming in.
  • 6-7 weeks: Baby teeth should be in by this point. Dogs usually have about 28 baby teeth total.
  • 3-4 months: Baby teeth begin to loosen and fall out. While you may find baby teeth around your home, puppies often swallow their baby teeth when they’re eating or playing.
  • 6-8 months: By this point, all baby teeth should have fallen out and most puppies have their full adult teeth. In general, adult dogs have about 42 teeth.

If you notice any baby teeth remaining once your pooch reaches 8 months old, consult with your vet because they may need to be removed.


How To Survive Puppy Teething

When puppies are going through the teething phase, they bite everything insight as a way to soothe the discomfort. So, if your pup attempts to chew on something inappropriate, redirect his chewing attention to something else. Here are a few good options:

KONG Puppy Teething Stick – This toy is made with KONGs durable rubber and designed to soothe your growing puppy’s baby teeth and gums. Along with giving your pup something to gnaw on, this thick rubber stick features strategically placed grooves that help clean teeth.

KONG Puppy Binkie – This adorable looking toy is made of KONG’s durable rubber and looks like a baby binkie. It promotes positive chewing behavior by satisfying your puppy’s natural instinct to chew. Similar to the classic KONG, you can fill this puppy binkie with yummy treats, making it even more enticing to little Fido. *Click here for Kong stuffer ideas!

Rope Toys – Durable rope toys are hard to destroy, easy to clean, and totally affordable. While you can simply give your dog the rope toy as is, you can also soak it in water and then pop it in the freezer. The cold will help soothe your dog’s gums. 

Frozen Carrots – Carrots make for a super healthy dog treat. For teething puppies, dice them up, freeze the chunks, and then let your pup gnaw away to help soothe his gums.


When dealing with the teething stage you can also try:

  • Crate training can help keep your pooch out of trouble (and your home safe from puppy teeth) when you can’t keep an eye on Fido. *Click here to see my 5 step crate training success plan!
  • Spraying a little Bitter Apple onto your dog’s favorite no-no chew area can help put a stop to the issue. Once your dog begins gnawing on the bitter-coated spot, he should be deterred by the taste. 

Is Your Dog Past The Teething Phase And Still Chewing Everything In Sight?

If once your puppy has all of his adult teeth and he is still chewing on everything in sight, this is not due to teething. Rather, he is curious and exploring the world with his mouth. This is where training comes in!