🦷 Puppy Shark Phase: Safe Teething Remedies That Actually Work

At Alan's K9 Academy, one of the most common questions we hear from new puppy owners is:

"How do I stop my puppy from biting and chewing everything?"

The answer starts with understanding what's happening inside your puppy's mouth.

🧠 Why Puppies Teethe

Just like human babies, puppies lose their baby teeth and grow adult teeth.

Most puppies begin teething around 3 to 4 months of age and continue until approximately 6 to 7 months old.

During this period, puppies often experience:

• sore gums
• mouth discomfort
• increased chewing urges
• mild irritability
• excessive biting and mouthing

Chewing isn't your puppy being naughty.

It's often their way of relieving discomfort.

⚠️ Why Puppies Chew Everything

When a puppy's gums are sore, they naturally look for ways to relieve pressure.

That's why they often target:

• shoes
• furniture legs
• baseboards
• blankets
• children's toys
• hands and clothing

The goal isn't to stop chewing completely.

The goal is to redirect it appropriately.

🧊 Frozen Teething Remedies Puppies Love

Cold items can provide temporary relief for inflamed gums.

Some safe options include:

Frozen Carrots

Many puppies enjoy chewing on frozen carrots.

Benefits include:

• soothing cold sensation
• low calorie snack
• natural texture for chewing

Always supervise your puppy while chewing.

Frozen Washcloth

Wet a clean washcloth, twist it, and freeze it.

The soft texture combined with cold temperatures can provide excellent relief for sore gums.

Frozen Kong Toys

Stuff a Kong with:

• plain pumpkin puree
• mashed banana
• puppy-safe wet food

Freeze it before giving it to your puppy.

This provides both mental stimulation and teething relief.

🦴 Best Chews for Teething Puppies

Not all chews are created equal.

Look for options that are:

• puppy appropriate
• durable but not rock hard
• digestible when applicable
• appropriately sized

Popular choices include:

• puppy-specific rubber toys
• soft nylon puppy chews
• frozen enrichment toys
• veterinarian-approved teething products

Avoid anything so hard that it could damage developing teeth.

🚫 Things to Avoid

Many owners accidentally give puppies items that create additional risks.

Avoid:

• cooked bones
• hard antlers
• rocks or sticks
• rawhide from questionable sources
• children's toys

If you're unsure about a chew, consult your veterinarian.

🧩 Managing Puppy Biting During Teething

Teething increases mouthing behavior, but it doesn't excuse poor habits.

When puppies bite:

• redirect immediately to an appropriate toy
• reward chewing approved items
• avoid rough play that encourages biting
• provide plenty of supervised enrichment

Consistency is key.

The more your puppy practices chewing appropriate items, the faster good habits develop.

💛 The Alan's K9 Academy Perspective

Teething is temporary.

The habits formed during teething are not.

At Alan's K9 Academy, we help owners use this stage as an opportunity to teach:

• appropriate chewing habits
• impulse control
• engagement with toys
• healthy boundaries

The goal isn't just surviving teething.

It's creating a puppy that learns how to make good choices.

🔥 Final Thought

Your puppy isn't trying to destroy your house.

They're trying to relieve discomfort the only way they know how.

With the right teething remedies, proper supervision, and consistent guidance, you can help your puppy through this phase while building habits that last a lifetime.

The puppy shark phase ends.

Good training doesn't.

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