How to Cope with a Teething Puppy

One of the most difficult obstacles that a puppy owner must deal with is chewing. Keep in mind that a teething puppy is trying to relieve discomfort and sometimes boredom. There is help for this tough situation. A little patience and redirection will help you through this phase.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Chew toys
• Baby gate
• Patience
• Crate

1. Provide your puppy with plenty of exercise to prevent boredom chewing. Long walks and playing catch with a ball or Frisbee will help redirect his attention away from the chewing. The exercise will also encourage the puppy to take a nap here and there. A puppy can't chew while he is sleeping!
2. Discourage nipping and mouthing on hands or ankles by giving a sharp "no" in a stern voice. Never hit your dog! This can cause aggression issues.
3. Always make sure that your puppy has plenty of chew toys around. Rope toys, rawhide bones, toys that can be filled with treats and toys that can be frozen are the best for his sore gums. Introducing new toys from time to time is a good idea. If you catch him teething on something he shouldn't give a stern "no" and replace it with one of his toys.
4. In order to ensure that chewing will not occur when you cannot keep an eye on your puppy, the use of a crate is a necessity. Not only will the puppy have his own safe place, but you will not need to worry about his safety when you are not home or anything being damaged. Using a baby gate to keep him in the same room as you will also stop boredom chewing. Following these guidelines will help achieve a more positive experience for you and your puppy.