Surviving Teething and Nipping with Your Stokeshire Doodle Puppy: A Comprehensive Guide
Congratulations on welcoming a Stokeshire Doodle into your home! This moment, filled with joyful giggles and the pitter-patter of new paws, marks the beginning of a beautiful journey. While your new furry family member brings endless love, they also introduce the universal challenge of puppy teething and nipping.
Fear not. At Stokeshire, we believe every stage of a puppy’s life, even the tricky ones, is an opportunity for connection. This survival guide is tailored to help you navigate this phase with the grace and knowledge that defines our breeding philosophy, ensuring a smooth transition for your beloved pup into a well-mannered adult.
Understanding Teething in Stokeshire Doodles
Just like human babies, Stokeshire Doodle puppies go through a natural teething process. It’s a milestone in their development, and understanding it is the first step toward managing it with compassion.
The Teething Process
Around four months of age, your puppy will begin to lose their sharp baby teeth, making way for their 42 adult teeth to emerge. This transition can span several months, often bringing sore gums and a powerful, instinctual urge to chew. This isn't naughty behavior; it's a natural response to discomfort.
Signs of Teething Discomfort
Your puppy will communicate their discomfort through their behavior. Look for these common signs that your Stokeshire Doodle is teething:
Excessive Drooling: You may notice more drool than usual as new teeth push through the gums.
Chewing Everything: Teething puppies are on a mission to find relief. Your furniture, shoes, and even hands can become targets for their chewing.
Reduced Appetite: Sore gums might make your puppy hesitant to eat their usual food, especially if it’s hard kibble.
Irritability: Just like a tired toddler, a teething puppy can be fussy. This discomfort may lead to changes in temperament.
Managing Teething and Nipping
Your role during this phase is not to stop the chewing but to guide it. With patience and the right tools, you can redirect this natural instinct into a positive and productive habit.
Provide Appropriate Fish-Based Chew Toys
Offer your puppy a variety of safe chew toys designed for teething. At Stokeshire, we advocate for a single-protein approach centered on fish-based products. This minimizes digestive upset and keeps their diet consistent. Rotate these items to keep your puppy engaged:
Frozen Fish Broth "Popsicles": Simply pour fish broth into an ice cube tray and freeze. The cold soothes sore gums while providing a tasty, safe treat.
Redirect Behavior with Positive Reinforcement
When your puppy nips, it’s a call for guidance. Firmly and calmly say "no" or "ah-ah" and immediately offer an appropriate fish chew or toy instead. When they switch their attention to the toy, reward them with enthusiastic praise. This teaches them what to do, rather than just what not to do.
Implement a Teething Schedule
Structure helps a puppy feel secure. Establish a consistent routine for play and chewing sessions. This helps your puppy learn that there are specific times and specific items for chewing, building a rhythm that reduces random nipping and destructive behavior.
When Do a Puppy’s Teeth Fall Out?
Puppies get their baby teeth remarkably early, sometimes as young as two weeks old. As they grow, they use their mouths to explore and understand the world around them. When a puppy is about 3 to 4 months old, these baby teeth begin to fall out to make way for their full set of 42 adult teeth—that’s about 10 more than humans have!
This process can be quite uncomfortable. Their gums will be sore, and you might notice a bit of drooling or even tiny spots of blood on their toys. While this is normal, if you see anything that concerns you, it's always best to speak with your veterinarian.
By the time your puppy is six months old, all their baby teeth should have fallen out. You might find a few on the floor, but puppies often swallow most of them without issue. If you notice that some baby teeth haven't fallen out as the adult teeth come in, be sure to mention it to your vet, as they may need to be professionally removed.
How to Survive Puppy Teething
Surviving this phase is all about preparation and perspective. The discomfort your puppy feels is real, and your job is to provide safe and soothing relief. By doing so, you’ll protect your home and teach your puppy healthy habits.
The best objects to offer a teething puppy are those that are both safe and effective. We recommend:
Always ask your veterinarian for their recommendations on the safest chew toys for your puppy's size and chew strength. Supervise your puppy during chew time, and periodically inspect their toys to ensure they aren’t breaking apart. A great chew toy is one that can withstand your puppy's efforts without becoming a hazard. Avoid very hard items, as they can damage developing teeth.
How to Stop a Puppy From Nipping
Puppies naturally nip each other during play; it's how they learn to control the pressure of their bite. When one puppy bites another too hard, the bitten pup will yelp, sending a clear message: "Hey, that hurt!"
You can teach your puppy the same lesson. If they nip you during play, let out a sharp, high-pitched "OW!" and pull your hand away. Praise them when they back off. For some puppies, a loud noise can be overstimulating. In that case, quietly stand up and walk away for a moment. This teaches them that nipping makes their favorite playmate—you—go away.
This crucial learning period is when your puppy develops bite inhibition. An adult dog with good bite inhibition understands how to use their mouth gently. After teaching your puppy that human skin is sensitive, immediately redirect them to what they can chew on. Keep their fish chews and toys handy so you can offer an acceptable alternative the moment they start to nibble on your fingers or toes.
Dog Bite Prevention: Be a Tree
Part of raising a well-behaved dog is teaching those around them—especially children—how to interact safely. Dogs are stimulated by movement and noise, so it's vital to teach kids how to remain calm around an unfamiliar or overly excited dog.
The "Be a Tree" method is an invaluable safety skill. Here’s how it works:
Stop. Cease all movement immediately.
Fold in your branches. Fold your hands in front of your chest.
Watch your roots grow. Look down at your feet, avoiding eye contact with the dog.
Stay quiet. Count in your head until the dog loses interest or help arrives.
To a dog, a "tree" is boring. They will likely sniff and move on. Practice this with children in a fun, low-stress environment so the behavior becomes second nature.
Caring for a Puppy’s Adult Teeth
Once your puppy’s adult teeth are in, your job shifts from managing teething to maintaining lifelong dental health. Our dedication to a dog's well-being is lifelong, and that includes their oral hygiene.
Get your puppy used to having their mouth and teeth touched from a young age. You can purchase a dog-friendly toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste, which works to mechanically and chemically break down plaque. Never use human toothpaste, as it contains ingredients that can be toxic to dogs.
Continue to offer safe, fish-based chews. Chewing remains a natural and beneficial instinct for adult dogs, helping to keep their teeth clean and their minds engaged.
This phase of nipping and chewing will soon be a fond memory. It takes patience, consistency, and a deep well of love to guide a puppy. By following these steps, you are not just surviving teething—you are shaping a calmer, more resilient, and well-behaved companion for life.