There is a specific look of panic that every new puppy owner gets around the 12-week mark. You look at your adorable ball of fluff, but all you see is a mouth full of razor blades. Your hands are scratched, your favorite chair leg has gnaw marks, and you are wondering if you adopted a dog or a velociraptor.
This is the Teething Phase, and while it is physically painful for you, it is also painful for them. Your puppy isn't trying to hurt you; they are trying to soothe their sore gums. The key to survival isn't just training, it's management.
The Timeline: How Long Does This Last?
Understanding the timeline helps manage your patience. Puppies start losing their baby teeth around 12-16 weeks. The adult teeth push through, causing gum inflammation and a desperate need to chew. By 6 months, most dogs have their full set of adult teeth, and the obsessive chewing usually subsides. You just have to survive until then.
Step 1: The 'Frozen' Strategy
Cold is nature's anesthesia. Just like human babies use teething rings, puppies need cold things to numb their gums. Wet a washcloth, twist it into a rope shape, freeze it rock-hard, and let them chew on it (supervised). Even better, fill a rubber toy with wet food or peanut butter and freeze it overnight.
Step 2: Edible Chews (The High-Value Distraction)
When your puppy is in a 'biting mood' (usually the 'Witching Hour' in the evening), a standard squeaky toy won't cut it. You need something edible and long-lasting. Bully Sticks are a gold standard because they are fully digestible (unlike rawhide) and tough enough to last 30 minutes.
Step 3: Saving Your Furniture
If your puppy has decided the baseboards are delicious, you need to break the habit immediately. Puppies explore with their mouths, so make the environment taste terrible. Spray furniture legs and corners with a bitter deterrent spray. The foul taste teaches them that 'wood = yuck' without you having to yell.
The Golden Rule: Redirect, Don't Just Say 'No'
Saying 'No' stops the behavior for a second, but it doesn't solve the urge. You must redirect. If they bite your hand, say 'No,' remove your hand, and immediately shove a toy in their mouth. When they bite the toy, say 'Yes!' and praise them lavishly. You are teaching them: 'Skin is boring, toys are a party.'
