Those tiny puppy teeth may look sweet, but they can be surprisingly sharp on little fingers, chair legs, and favorite shoes. Learning how to manage puppy teething early helps your puppy feel more comfortable while protecting your home and building the habits you want for years to come.
As a breeder, I always remind new puppy families that teething is normal. It is not a sign that your puppy is being bad or trying to test you. Your puppy’s mouth is sore, new teeth are coming in, and chewing is one of the ways he or she finds relief. With a little preparation, patience, and supervision, this stage can be much easier for the whole family.
When Do Puppies Start Teething?
Puppies have baby teeth, often called milk teeth, by the time they are ready to join their forever families. The more intense teething phase usually begins around 12 to 16 weeks of age, when those tiny teeth begin to fall out and adult teeth start coming in.
Most puppies finish getting their adult teeth between 6 and 7 months old. During that time, you may find a small tooth on the floor, notice a little extra drooling, or see a tiny spot of blood on a toy. These can all be normal. Many families never find the baby teeth because puppies often swallow them while eating or playing.
Goldendoodles are bright, playful dogs, and that intelligence can make teething feel especially busy. A puppy who is uncomfortable may look for something interesting to chew, and a remote control or a child’s stuffed animal is often much more exciting than a plain toy. The answer is not punishment. It is giving your puppy better choices before trouble starts.
How to Manage Puppy Teething With Safe Chews
The simplest way to help is to keep several safe, puppy-appropriate chew options available and rotate them. A toy that was ignored yesterday may become exciting again after a day or two out of sight. Choose chews made for puppies rather than adult power chewers, and select a size that is right for your puppy’s current mouth, not the size he or she will be as an adult.
A good chew should be sturdy enough that your puppy cannot break off and swallow large pieces, but it should not be so hard that it could damage developing teeth. As a general rule, if you cannot make a small dent in the item with your fingernail, it may be too hard for a young puppy. Antlers, bones, rocks, hooves, and very hard nylon chews can be risky for tender puppy teeth.
These options can be helpful when used with supervision:
- A durable rubber puppy toy filled with a small amount of moistened puppy kibble or puppy-safe canned food, then chilled or frozen
- A clean, damp washcloth twisted into a loose knot and chilled in the refrigerator
- Soft puppy teething toys designed to massage sore gums
- A veterinarian-approved dental chew that is sized for your puppy
Cold can soothe tender gums, but frozen items should still be offered thoughtfully. I prefer a chilled washcloth or a lightly frozen stuffed rubber toy over anything rock-hard. Watch your puppy the first few times you offer a new chew, and remove it if it begins to shred, crack, or become small enough to swallow.
Keep household items out of reach
Teething puppies do not naturally know the difference between their chew toy and your phone charger. Prevention makes a real difference. Put shoes in closets, keep children’s toys picked up, tuck away cords, and use baby gates or a puppy pen when you cannot supervise closely.
This is not about restricting your puppy from family life. It is about setting up a safe space where everyone can relax. A puppy pen with a comfortable bed, water, a few approved toys, and room to settle can prevent many stressful moments during the busiest part of the day.
Redirect Biting Calmly and Consistently
Mouthing is another common part of puppy teething. Puppies explore with their mouths, and littermates would normally teach each other how hard is too hard during play. Your family can teach the same lesson kindly.
If your puppy puts teeth on your hand, stop the game right away. Keep your reaction calm, say a simple phrase such as “too bad” or “gentle,” and offer an approved toy instead. When your puppy takes the toy, praise warmly. The message becomes clear: toys are for chewing, people are not.
Avoid rough hand play, even if it seems cute when your puppy is little. Wiggling fingers in front of a puppy can invite biting, and it becomes confusing when the same behavior is discouraged later. Children especially benefit from clear guidance. Teach them to offer a toy, pet gently when the puppy is calm, and step away if play becomes too mouthy.
A high-pitched yell may stop one puppy but excite another. It depends on the puppy’s personality. For many Goldendoodles, quietly ending attention for a brief moment works better than making a big reaction. Consistency from every family member matters far more than finding the perfect words.
Do Not Mistake Tiredness for Teething
A puppy who seems extra wild, bitey, and unable to listen may need a nap just as much as a chew toy. Young puppies need a great deal of sleep, often 18 to 20 hours in a day. When they become overtired, they can act like toddlers who have missed a nap – everything feels bigger, and self-control disappears.
After a short potty break, play session, or training activity, give your puppy a quiet chance to rest in a crate or puppy-safe area. This is not a punishment. It is a healthy routine that helps your puppy settle and gives those sore gums a break from constant activity.
Short training sessions can also give your puppy a positive outlet. Practice simple cues such as sit, come, or touch for a few minutes at a time, using part of your puppy’s regular meals as rewards. Mental activity is tiring in a good way and can reduce the urge to chew out of boredom.
Support Sore Gums Without Unsafe Remedies
It is understandable to want quick relief when your puppy seems uncomfortable, but human pain relievers are never safe to give unless a veterinarian specifically directs you to do so. Medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin can be dangerous for dogs.
Skip numbing gels and homemade remedies unless your veterinarian has approved them. A safe chew, a cool toy, regular meals, fresh water, rest, and patient redirection are usually all a healthy teething puppy needs.
Some puppies eat a little less enthusiastically for a day or two when their gums are sore. You can try softening their regular kibble with warm water, but do not make sudden major food changes just because teething has started. A gradual approach is gentler on a puppy’s stomach and makes it easier to notice if something else is wrong.
When to Call Your Veterinarian
Normal teething can look messy, but severe pain or illness should never be dismissed as “just teething.” Contact your veterinarian if your puppy refuses food or water, seems unusually tired, cries repeatedly while chewing, has significant swelling, has a bad odor from the mouth, or is bleeding more than a small spot.
It is also wise to have your veterinarian check your puppy’s mouth during regular wellness visits. Occasionally, a baby tooth does not fall out after the adult tooth arrives. This retained tooth can crowd the mouth and may need attention. Early care helps protect your puppy’s bite and long-term dental health.
At Shalom Goldendoodles, I want every puppy family to feel supported through the joyful moments and the messy ones, too. Teething does pass, and the calm habits you build now – safe chews, gentle redirection, enough rest, and close supervision – will help your puppy grow into the loving family companion you have been waiting for.
