3 puppy teething tips that will help you save your home

Nicely chewed shoes straps, torn furniture and shredded doormats. Yes, these are the signs of a teething puppy and every pet parent’s living nightmare! The teething phase is definitely the most difficult phase for you and your puppy. However, there are some tips that you can follow to help you tackle the problem and save your household items at the same time.

What is puppy teething?

Puppies lose their baby teeth at around 3 to 9 months and by 9 months of age will have all their teeth. Dogs have 42 permanent teeth. Teething is an uncomfortable process that causes pain and discomfort due to the budding pressure of the growing teeth as they set in the gums. Hence, your pup will be tempted to chew on whatever they find tempting to get their teeth on.

Sometimes your puppy may get into the habit of destructive chewing which is a behavioural problem that needs to be nipped at an early stage.

How to handle puppy teething?

• Designate teeth-free zones – Ensure you remove all the shoes and enticing furniture from their reach. You can cover your furniture to protect them from being scratched or torn. It is better that you designate a room in your house for your pet that is free from all the tempting furniture and shoes. Additionally, it is also a good idea to work with a trainer who will help you resolve the teething problem in your pet.
• Give them dog chew toys – Once your pet tries to get their teeth on your shoes or furniture you should redirect their attention to a chew toy. The age appropriate chew toys soothe your dog’s gums as well as saves your furniture. Chew toys that are meant for puppies are smaller and softer than the adult ones as puppy teeth are easily prone to fracture. But, they should still be strong enough to be aggressively mouthed by your pet. You must monitor your pet during their playtime and remove any toys that have been destroyed to prevent further accidents.
• Include healthy eating – You should pay close attention and care for your puppy’s teeth during the teething stage. Make sure your dog is eating a balanced diet that includes vitamins, minerals and especially calcium so that their adult teeth develop normally. However, if two teeth come up in a place meant for one it can cause pain and discomfort leading to destructive chewing in your pet. So, you should seek your vet’s help in solving the issue.