Do not try to pull your puppy’s teeth out, as that can damage their teeth and gums. Your puppy naturally loses their teeth all on their own! You might find their teeth around the house, but it’s just as normal for your puppy to swallow them. Sometimes an adult tooth emerges where a puppy tooth is still in place. If you notice this, call your veterinarian. They might need to remove the tooth. You can actually tell how old a dog is by their teeth! Counting the number of teeth they have and determining if they are puppy or adult canines, incisors, or molars, gives you a great age estimation.
There is no safe way to make your puppy’s teeth less sharp. Instead, you have to teach them not to bite! Bite inhibition is one of the best ways because it mimics how puppies play and learn about biting. Keep your hand limp when your puppy bites you. Immediately jerking your hand back can encourage your puppy to jump and grab at you. [7] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source If your puppy bites you after you say, “Ow,” walk away from them. This teaches them that biting ends playtime. When they calm down, resume playing.
If your puppy continues to nip even when you give them a toy, stop your play session to calm them down. Continue playing once they’ve calmed down. [9] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Get out your puppy’s energy as you redirect too! Get out a ball and play a game of fetch or bring out a rope for some tug-of-war when your puppy starts biting. Taking them on a long walk or teaching them commands are great options too. Nipping and biting is natural for puppies when playing, but you can help prevent it by avoiding wagging your fingers in front of your puppy’s face.
Many rubber toys like Kongs can be frozen, which can help soothe your puppy’s gums even more. Stuff the Kong with some peanut butter before you freeze to get them chewing even more! Edible chews like bully sticks are great options for your puppy too. Choose chews with natural ingredients and supervise your puppy as they chew.
Be patient with your puppy. If they seem uncomfortable at any point during the process, stop and give them a few days before trying again. Only use dog toothpaste when brushing your puppy’s teeth. Human toothpaste contains ingredients that can be harmful for your dog’s teeth. Brushing not only helps remove plaque that can build up later in your puppy’s life, but it also gets them used to having their teeth examined by a veterinarian.
Teething is mostly just uncomfortable for puppies, but if you notice that your puppy isn’t eating, drinking, or being as energetic as normal, take them to the vet.
If you can’t find the time everyday to brush your puppy’s teeth, a dental spray can be a great option. This helps to kill bacteria that leads to plaque build-up and keeps your puppy’s breath fresh. However, it doesn’t replace brushing. [13] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
There are also specific edible dental chews that help clean your puppy’s teeth as they enjoy a tasty treat.
Special dental diet kibble is also available that can help clean your puppy’s teeth as they eat. Just talk your veterinarian before switching to this diet. [16] X Research source
