Puppies begin teething at 4 to 6 months of age, and chewing is the result. A puppy who's teething needs to chew and will chew almost anything in his path -- furniture, walls, wire cords and maybe, his toys. It's crucial to take steps to minimize the damage to your home and the danger to him during this time.
Chew We Must
Your puppy's teeth will begin to fall out when he is about 4 months old and continues through his 6-month birthday. When a dog's adult teeth erupt, they are loose. Chewing sets the teeth in the jaw, so puppies chew more through this period. Although this is the height of teething, your puppy will continue to chew until he's about 2 years old. It's normal for dogs to chew throughout their lives, but the intense chewing will lessen as he gets older.
If It Doesn't Move
In addition to teething, your puppy is learning about his world. He does this by using his mouth, and many things that shouldn't will find their way there. During this intense chewing period, a puppy is intrigued by different textures than he's used to. This is why he'll chew holes in the wall even though a rawhide bone is there. Crate or confine the puppy when you can't be there to supervise him during this time.
Provide appropriate chews for your puppy, such as healthy rawhide bones, rubber toys and bones designed for chewing. Fill hollow rubber toys such as Kongs with yogurt and freeze them to help soothe his gums and keep his attention. Rub peanut butter on rawhide to keep him interested.
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