Reigning in Your Teething Puppy Menace
Puppy teething can be a difficult time for both you and your puppy. However, there are things you can do to solve the issue and protect your household things from your puppy.
What is Puppy Teething?
Yes, puppies do lose their baby, or deciduous, teeth at an early age (usually around 3-9 months old). However, the act of destructive chewing is often due to behavioral issues which need to be nipped in the bud early.
1. Designate Teeth-Free Zones
Don’t tempt your puppy with scrumptious shoes and flavorful furniture. Block your puppy’s access to areas that have been especially troublesome. Afterward, work with a dog trainer on resolving the puppy teething issue at hand.
2. Use Dog Chew Toys
Introducing your puppy to dog chew toys early can save your household items. Chew toys designated for puppies are a little smaller and softer than the adult toys because puppy teeth are more prone to fracture. However, they still should be durable enough to handle aggressive mouthing. In fact, monitor your puppy during playtime and remove any destroyed chew toys immediately to prevent accidents from occurring
3. Incorporate Healthy Eating
Caring for a teething puppy also means caring for the puppy’s teeth. Ensure your new dog is getting a properly balanced diet, including vitamins and minerals such as calcium, so that his or her new adult, or permanent, teeth can develop normally. Having two teeth crowded into a space meant for one can cause discomfort and possibly initiates some destructive tendencies in your pup.
