The Teething Timeline
Puppies are born without teeth. Understanding the timeline helps you know what's normal at each stage — and when the intense chewing phase will actually end.
| Age | What's Happening |
|---|---|
| 2–4 weeks | Baby (deciduous) teeth begin erupting |
| 6–8 weeks | All 28 baby teeth are usually in |
| 3–4 months | Baby teeth begin falling out as adult teeth push through — peak chewing/discomfort phase begins |
| 4–6 months | Most adult teeth have come in; heaviest chewing urge continues |
| 6–8 months | All 42 adult teeth should be in place; chewing urge gradually decreases |
Signs Your Puppy Is Teething
- Increased chewing on anything within reach — furniture, shoes, your hands
- Excessive drooling
- Small spots of blood on toys (from loose baby teeth, usually harmless)
- Mild irritability or reluctance to eat hard kibble
- Swollen or slightly reddened gums
- Finding tiny baby teeth around the house — this is completely normal
Losing baby teeth is not painful the way it can be for humans — puppy teeth have very shallow, small roots designed to be pushed out easily. Some mild gum discomfort is normal, but persistent bleeding, swelling, or a puppy who stops eating entirely warrants a vet check.
How to Help Your Puppy Through It
1
Offer appropriate chew outlets — Soft rubber teething toys, frozen wet washcloths (the cold numbs sore gums), and gentle natural chews sized for a puppy's smaller jaw all help redirect the urge.
2
Puppy-proof aggressively — During peak teething months, assume anything left on the floor or a low table is fair game. This phase passes; your shoes don't need to be sacrificed in the meantime.
3
Avoid hard chews too early — Antlers, hard nylon bones, and very tough dehydrated chews can be too much for sore, developing gums. Save the firmest chews for after all adult teeth are in, around 6–8 months.
4
Redirect, don't punish — A puppy chewing your sofa isn't being naughty, it's relieving genuine physical discomfort. Calmly swap the forbidden item for an approved chew every single time, consistently, rather than scolding.
What to Chew On During This Phase
Softer, smaller dehydrated chews — like goat ear or thinner cuts — tend to be gentler on sore gums than dense bone-in chews. Introduce anything new gradually and always supervise, especially during the peak 3–5 month window when the urge to chew is strongest.
It gets better: The intense destructive chewing phase is temporary — almost every puppy calms down significantly once all adult teeth are fully in around 6–8 months. Consistency now saves your furniture later.