Teething can be a difficult stage of puppy growth, both for you and your dachshund.
At around three months of age, your puppy will likely begin losing their baby teeth in exchange for a fresh set of adult chompers and you must be prepared!
The puppy teething process & symptoms
The teething process generally lasts about five months, during which time your puppy’s mouth will be sore and sensitive. In order to alleviate the soreness, your puppy will begin to chew, and not always on appropriate objects. The key here is to provide your puppy with designated chew toys in order to avoid damage to clothing, furniture, and other household items.
Here are a few helpful tips to make the process of puppy teething a little easier for you and your pup!
Watch for retained baby teeth
Sometimes adult teeth fail to successfully push baby teeth out of a puppy’s gums. In this case, the adult tooth will grow next to the baby tooth. These teeth can decay and eventually cause abscesses. Likewise, it’s important to keep an eye out for puppy teeth lodged next to new adult teeth. If you notice a stuck puppy tooth, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible to have it removed.
Putting an end to nipping
Sometimes, puppies don’t know their own strength, and during this time of exploration with their mouth, it’s easy to get into some trouble. If you notice that your pup is packing an extra punch with their nipping, whether they’re playing with you or another dog, get in the habit of verbalizing your pain. Say “Ow” loudly when they bite, and when they back off, reward them with a treat. This will help them learn to avoid nipping and simply continue to bite and chew at their toys.
Invest in rope chew toys
Speaking of toys, rope toys are ideal options for keeping your puppy’s mouth occupied during the teething process. They are durable, inexpensive, and easy on your dog’s gums. Try to use the toy as a reward for positive behaviors, and be sure to praise your puppy when they chew the toy rather than the leg of the kitchen table.
Use bitter apple spray
Grannick’s has been producing their bitter apple spray for years, and many dog owners swear by the stuff. Bitter apple spray is a taste deterrent that can be applied to items you especially don’t want your puppy to chew. The spray is derived from natural ingredients and is harmless to puppies. Originally designed to keep dogs from chewing fur and licking hot spots, bitter apple spray also works well for preventing unwanted chewing on objects in your home.
Give your puppy chilled carrots
Not only are chilled carrots full of healthy vitamins and fatty acids, they can also soothe sore gums and provide your puppy with a welcome diversion from the ache of teething. Just be sure to limit your puppy’s carrot intake in order to avoid upset stomachs.
Try ice cubes to relieve the teething pain
Some puppies will like to chew on ice cubes, due to their coolness comforting your puppy’s sore mouth. If they don’t seem to take a liking to it right away, try freezing chicken broth in your ice cube tray!
Teething doesn’t last forever, and before you know it your dog will be all grown up and free of baby teeth. Want to learn more about caring for your dachshund puppy? Give me a call today for more information!