Like babies, puppies also like to gnaw and chew on whatever they get their paws on when they are teething. In fact, all young mammals eventually go through this process where their baby teeth fall out and their adult teeth are supposed to grow in. When do puppies stop chewing on everything around ? Well, the process ends when their adult teeth are fully grown in, which typically is between 6 to 8 months of age.
All of that said, adult dogs still enjoy chewing on stuff, some are even heavy chewers by simply nature, and as long as they are not destructive with it, it should be encouraged and is actually pretty good for them.
Why do puppies chew on everything ?
During the teething period the dog’s gums can feel quite uncomfortable, even painful and irritating to a degree, and chewing is exactly the thing that they can do to bring some sort of relief.
Since they are so young and don’t know how to differentiate right from wrong yet, they will definitely try to chew anything in sight. Do try to not get very upset over it and instead take a look at these tips on how to handle your dog’s teething period and how to stop it from becoming destructive on time.
When do Puppies Stop Chewing ?
The teething period in dogs should end just about when their adult teeth will start coming in. Usually at around 6 to 8 months of age. That’s usually when puppies stop chewing and biting.
Bear with us here because we know that this may sound like a pretty long time, but there are many things that you can do to prevent them from chewing on everything in your house and teach them a thing or two about what’s theirs to chew and what is not.
How can you stop your puppies from chewing everything in sight ?
Well, many pet stores carry special teething gels that can be applied to your puppy’s sensitive gums which will in turn relieve the pain and discomfort with natural soothing properties to reduce the need to chew on something. They don’t have a bad taste and if you prefer more natural ingredients, you can opt out for teething gels that are devoid of artificial ones.
Aside from gels there are also sprays that you can buy and spray them onto various household furniture or stuff that you simply don’t want your puppy getting their teeth on. The sprays are made up of all natural and non – toxic ingredients that dogs particularly do not like, such as vinegar and citrus.
However, it is also recommended for owners to train their puppies on what is okay and what is not okay to chew on. The good news is that it is never to early to start training them, rather, the sooner you do it, the better. One way of doing this is redirecting their chewing to toys specifically and praising them when they get it right.
Another thing to keep in mind is to have a smaller number of toys for your puppy to start out with until they begin to fully understand the rules you set for them, because if they have too many toys, they may start thinking that everything is theirs.
Should your puppy receive punishment for chewing on the wrong stuff ?
Remember this, you should never, ever, punish a teething puppy for chewing on something that they shouldn’t have. Even though it may seem unbelievably frustrating at first, they are not being naughty intentionally and ultimately isn’t their fault. They are acting out on instinct and are probably relieving pain and discomfort, so try to be as patient with them as you can.
This method is highly ineffective when they are young since they will no be able to understand exactly why they are being punished and it is much more likely to scare them and even prevent you from forming any kind of bond with them. The recommended method is to just take the item or move it away and promptly ignoring them afterwards, this would prove much more effective since puppies love and thrive on attention, no matter if it is positive or negative.
But what if your problem persists on to adulthood?
Since one of the ways that dogs explore the world with is their mouths, even after the teething period has passed, chances are that they will still enjoy chewing on stuff occasionally. It is simply a natural and healthy habit they form.
For dogs, chewing is essentially a good release for stress and extra energy, as well as it’s dental hygiene benefits as it scrapes off bad bacteria and overall debris that is on the teeth after eating. Ultimately that prevents plaque from building up and causing gum disease.
However, chewing can possibly become a negative thing if the dog in question has a bit too much stress and excess energy. When boredom or frustration strikes it can turn the most well trained dogs into destructive chewers. This particular trait has been commonly observed in the extremely intelligent shepherd breeds and it can be avoided by providing the dog with the right amount of exercise, a lot of socialization as well as a lot of mental stimulation with games and challenging toys.
Another thing to take note of is that some breeds are much more likely to be heavier chewers than others. Those types of chewers, often deemed aggressive chewers, will practically chew through anything, given the chance.
Some, like the Pitbull and Bulldog breeds, are heavy chewers because their DNA says so! They have extremely strong jaws and have to find a way to use them, so they turn to chewing. They are named Bully breeds because of their historic usage in bull – baiting. Chewing and tugging for Bully breeds is basically the same as running is for Greyhounds and hoarding is for Border Collies. Some other breeds aside from these can get pretty mouthy as well such as the Bernedoodles.
While the idea of heavy chewing can be worrying to anyone, it is way better to allow these dogs to exercise their instincts rather than repressing them which ultimately leads to them developing destructive habits. To do this you need to provide the dog with the right outlets for chewing.
What should you give your dog to chew on ?
The first thing on the list of qualities a chew toy should have is to be durable enough to withstand the heavy chewers maw and to not waste a lot of your money. Another thing is that you don’t want breakages that could have sharp edges that could lead to a choking hazard. Do not allow your dog to destroy or eat any part of a toy.
It would also be wise to avoid anything that could potentially be too hard on the dog’s teeth. This is of utmost importance when dealing with elderly dogs as they have weakened teeth and those dogs with poor oral health.
Even though no pet toy is indestructible, there are many alternatives that are made of hard rubber that are marketed with heavy chewers in mind. The pet brand Kong is specifically known for making pretty high in quality, heavy duty toys for heavy chewers which include balls, frisbees, ropes, and even plushies and treat dispensers!
Another fantastic outlet for heavy chewers is the spring pole, which is particularly great for bully breeds. They are basically tug ropes that are attached to sturdy strings that can secure to something in you yard to make the best game of tug of war. Spring poles are also great for building up strength and muscle. And the best part is that you can make one yourself, rather than buy one, you only need some rope and a strong spring. Although, they are not suitable for puppies, elderly, ill, weak or disabled dogs.
There are also edible type of chews such as the buffalo horns, which are a pretty popular natural and nutritious treat for dogs that can last to up to a couple months. Bonus points for it also being good for overall dental hygiene, however, it should be given to adult dogs only, with a set of healthy teeth.
A great alternative is the caribou antlers, which are also natural, nutritious and long lasting dog treats. One major difference is that they are significantly softer and less harsh than the buffalo horns. Knucklebones are natural and great for dental health as well, but are not recommended to be eaten as they cannot be digested by dogs.
However, if you do not like the idea of giving your dog a part of another animal to chew on, you can try good ole dental chews like the popular “Pedigree Dentastix” or even a frozen carrot to nom on. You probably have some in your kitchen already so you can just put it in the freezer for some time and the result will be a simple crunchy treat for your canine friend without any risks! They are also pretty nutritious and low in calories, as well as safe for puppies and can soothe their gums.
What should you take away from this?
Basically, although the teething period can be pretty frustrating for owners, you need to keep in mind that it is essential for your dog to develop, and by no means is it purposeful bad behavior. Good news is that it won’t last forever, so you should start training your dog as soon as you can and try to get some teething toys to help along the way. Puppies do stop chewing on stuff after 6-8 months.
However, adult dogs are prone to chewing as well, and that is completely normal and healthy behavior. And if your dog grows up to be a heavy chewer, don’t fret or discourage it, instead just invest in some healthy chewing outlets and allow your dog to follow and nurture its instinct.
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