Puppy Teething: Timeline, Chewing, Safe Relief and Retained Baby Teeth

Puppy teething is a normal developmental stage, but it can turn furniture, shoes and hands into attractive chewing targets. The goal is not to stop chewing completely. It is to give the puppy safe things to chew while protecting developing teeth.

Puppy teething timeline

The AKC teething timeline notes that baby teeth begin erupting at roughly 2–4 weeks, most puppies have their deciduous teeth by about 5–6 weeks, and baby teeth begin falling out around 12–16 weeks.

By about six months, most adult teeth should be present.

What you may notice

• more chewing;
• mild gum sensitivity;
• small baby teeth on the floor—or none, because many are swallowed;
• a little blood spotting on chew toys;
• increased mouthing during play.

Offer safe chew options

Use puppy-appropriate rubber toys, textured toys and other items designed for chewing. Rotate them so novelty does not require access to household objects.

Avoid extremely hard chews

Hard bones, antlers and objects that do not give under pressure can fracture teeth. “Natural” does not automatically mean tooth-safe.

Cold can soothe gums

A chilled puppy-safe rubber toy or damp cloth used under supervision may feel soothing. Avoid ice blocks or frozen objects so hard that they create a fracture risk.

Redirect hands to toys

When puppy teeth land on skin or clothes, pause the interaction and redirect toward an appropriate toy. Escalating into physical corrections can increase arousal instead of teaching what to bite.

Retained baby teeth

The AKC advises having a veterinarian check any baby teeth that remain once adult teeth have erupted. Retained deciduous teeth can crowd the mouth and may need professional removal.

Start dental handling now

Briefly touching the lips and teeth while pairing the experience with food can make future brushing and veterinary oral exams easier.

When teething is not the whole explanation

Marked facial swelling, refusal to eat, heavy bleeding, broken teeth, severe pain or a foul oral odor deserves veterinary attention.

For the rest of early training, see our puppy training foundation. For safe indoor outlets when chewing energy is high, use our DIY dog enrichment guide.

Why puppies chew more when tired

Overtired puppies often become mouthier and less able to disengage from exciting objects. If chewing suddenly escalates after a long play period, the solution may be a calm toilet trip and sleep rather than another hour of stimulation.

Puppy-proofing is part of training

Move shoes, children’s toys, charging cables and laundry out of reach instead of expecting perfect impulse control from a developing puppy. Every successful chew on an inappropriate item makes that item more reinforcing.

Rotate texture, not risk

Offer a small selection of safe textures—rubber, softer puppy chews and food-filled toys—and rotate them. Inspect toys regularly and discard pieces that are breaking apart or small enough to swallow.

Use chewing strategically

A stuffed puppy-safe toy can help a puppy settle after training, remain occupied during grooming practice or build a positive association with a pen or crate.

Baby teeth can affect adult tooth position

When a retained baby tooth sits beside an erupting adult tooth, crowding can alter how teeth contact one another. This is why a veterinary mouth check around the end of teething is useful even if the puppy still eats normally.

Chewing furniture is not a moral failure

Teething puppies are exploring and seeking oral relief. Management plus redirection teaches more than scolding after the puppy has already found a rewarding chair leg.