Puppy Teething Symptoms

It is a truth universally acknowledged that puppies chew–good puppies chew on their own things; bad puppies chew on everything. But, why do puppies chew? Though there are a number of social and developmental explanations for oral activity in puppies, quite often the answer is simple: puppies chew because they have teeth–lots and lots of teeth. Some teeth are coming in and others are falling out, but all of them are sending signals to the puppy’s brain that it’s time to chew.

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   Canine Dental Development

   
   
   
   
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     Just like human children, puppies lose their baby teeth. Between the ages of 4 and 6 months, those needle-sharp puppy teeth, often called “milk teeth” or “deciduous teeth,” begin to fall out as they are replaced by a stronger set of adult choppers. Usually, the front bottom teeth–the incisors–are the first to go. They’re followed by the upper incisors. Then the bottom and top premolars–the first few teeth that line the jaw from front to back–are replaced. Finally, the new canines and the larger molars at the back of the jaw will erupt.

     
     

     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   

   Signs a Puppy is Teething

   
   
   
   
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     Increased chewing. While all puppies chew, the nature of the chewing changes when a puppy begins to teethe. Tussling with toys and other playful behavior may start to give way to serious gnawing. The puppy whose attention span once resembled a hummingbird’s flight plan will suddenly have the focus of a Zen warrior. This warrior puppy will settle down with a beloved toy (or half of someone’s favorite pair of shoes) and not stir until the object of its attentions has been systematically shredded into confetti.

     
     

     Blood. While it can be scary if you’re not expecting it, a bit of blood coming from a puppy’s gums during teething is normal and harmless. Orally active puppies may dislodge a loosened tooth, and the gums around the tooth may bleed. The bleeding should be nominal and resolve itself in short order. If it does not, a visit to the veterinarian is in order.

     
     

     Aggression. As the teeth begin to fall out, the puppy’s personality may begin to change. As the adorable, eager-to-please furball is compelled to mouth everything in its sphere–including its human companions–questions about authority and pecking order pop into the canine mind. What began as teething-driven mouthiness can quickly turn into nipping and even biting if not properly addressed. If you feel like you’re losing the battle, it’s probably time to sign up for a puppy obedience class.

     
     

     Physical distress. Whining, apathy and diarrhea may appear. For some puppies, teething can be quite painful, and they respond as they would if they had any other physical ailment. A teething puppy may whine for no apparent reason. Puppies in pain may become apathetic and less interested in playing. There may be a disruption of the puppy’s digestive tract–the puppy’s appetite may wane and bowel movements may become loose and watery. If the puppy’s distress appears to be anything other than mild, or if there is any reason to suspect a cause other than teething, consult a veterinarian immediately.

     
     

     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   

   What to Do When Teething Begins

   
   
   
   
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     Do not get mad. For your puppy, chewing is compulsory. It is your job to recognize this and ensure that those energies are properly channeled into acceptable pastimes. Simply using punishment to deter inappropriate chewing would be like punishing your child for growing too tall for his pants.

     
     

     Do not leave your puppy unattended. Nothing is sacred to the teething puppy. Your shoes, your socks, your rugs, your couch, your speakers–if something is within reach of the unattended puppy, at the very least, it’s vulnerable to teeth marks.

     
     

     Do give your puppy plenty to chew on. Look for things that are interesting and challenging to chew on. A damp rag rolled into a log and popped into the freezer becomes a chew toy that can help soothe a puppy’s sore gums. You may also want to consider laying in a large stock of rawhide chews, dried pig ears, dry dog biscuits, large-animal soup bones, firm rubber toys, sticks of kindling and knotted rope.

     
     

     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   

   How Long Does Teething Last?

   
   
   
   
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     Teething generally lasts for several weeks. Understanding the process and preparing in advance will allow you to help your puppy get through his or her pain and discomfort without harming the relationship you’re trying to build.

     
     

     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   

   When to Go to the Veterinarian

   
   
   
   
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     Occasionally with all breeds and more frequently with some (especially the toy breeds), a puppy’s adult teeth may erupt before the milk teeth have fallen out, and it may be necessary to take the puppy to the veterinarian to have the unwanted milk teeth removed. This should not be delayed. Milk teeth that remain alongside their adult counterparts can negatively affect the final alignment of the adult teeth (creating a malocclusion) and the close-coupled teeth can accelerate tooth decay.

     
     

     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   

Dog and Puppy Training | Dog and Puppy Behavior Help

Dog Training for Your Zuchon | Zuchon Puppy Training

Posted by in Dog Training, Puppy Training on August 19, 2011

No matter how much you love your Zuchon, you still want them to be properly trained! Behavioral problems with your Zuchon can really affect both your and his happiness! A well trained Zuchon is a happier dog – because you spend your time loving him rather than scolding him or correcting mistakes. Plus when your Zuchon chews, scratches, uses the house as a bathroom and other destructive behaviors it can be very upsetting and expensive! Not to mention an untrained Zuchon can cause injury to yourself and others from biting, scratching, jumping and more – even if it was accidental and not aggressive in nature. That’s why it is so important to immediately train your Zuchon and correct the inherent behavioral problems in Zuchons. If you can start with Zuchon puppy training. If problems started later or you got your dog when he was older, start Zuchon obedience training as soon as possible.

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How To Stop Puppy Aggression

Puppies may seem cute and cuddly on the outside. However, that seemingly innocent puppy biting and chewing can mean serious danger to your yours friends, neighbors and visitors if they aren’t dealth with at an early age. When it comes to aggressive puppy behavior, there are laws that state your dog can be put down if it bites someone.

To ensure that DOESN’T happen, you must train and socialize your puppy at an early age. Puppy aggression doesn’t just mean puppy biting; it means barking and lunging at people as well. While the behavior may seem cute on the outside, if not properly treated at an early age, it can develop into serious dog aggression and will be much more difficult to fix at an older age.

Firstly, you should know the reason why puppy becomes aggressive. There are number of reasons for puppy aggression, including:

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  Being alone for long periods of time. Boredom and anxiety can often lead to aggression that comes out of frustration.


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  Being bullied by other dogs or people. Ensure your children and friends are not picking on your puppy. It may just lash out in response.


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  Physical pain or discomfort. If your puppy is suffering from discomfort, whether from a fresh cut or a genetic disease, it may just respond to this with aggressive behavior.


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  Genetic Diseases. Some dogs, like Cocker Spaniels, suffer from a rare disease known as “rage syndrome,” which causes them to lash out spontaneously. Do some research on your particular dog breed or mix to ensure they aren’t susceptible to violent compulsions.

Finally, your puppy, if it is of a larger breed such as a German Shepherd or Doberman, may feel he needs to protect his territory and thus lashes out at strangers–or even family.

Whatever the reason, it takes a lot more than simple dog obedience training to handle a dog’s aggressive problems. It would be wise to consider some serious puppy training.

Here are some solutions:

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  Early Intervention is Key! The absolute best way to deal with aggressive behavior, is toprevent it in the first place! The good thing about starting with a young puppy rather than an older dog is that puppies are more impressionable and akin to learning proper training. So the first time your pup growls, bites, or chews, immediately “GRRRR” at him and say “NO” in a firm, confident voice. Make sure you offer an alternative, preferred response to the action so he can be rewarded for performing it. For example, if you say NO when your dog barks, ensure that you give your dog a treat or lots of attention when he stays quiet, otherwise he will never get the proper message.


• If you act quickly and consistently enough, your puppy will halt its aggressive behavior before it even becomes an issue.


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  Establish yourself as the leader from the start. Set rules that are humane butconsistently enforced. Get your puppy accustomed to your handling off food, toys, and his body. Let him know that toys are a treat, not a privilege, and that food is always served on YOUR schedule, not his. Additionally, cuddle and pet your puppy when he or she is calm, not excited. Do not work your puppy into a fluster and then expect him to not show his teeth or some snarling when you unexpectedly pick him up.


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  Do not scare or yell at your puppy. Puppies are easily startled, so if you are going to punish your dog, do so with just a firm rebuke rather than physical punishment or a loud voice. Reward your dog with treats and praise for calm, subordinate behavior. When your puppy sees that behaving well is a good thing, he will be much less prone to act out aggressively.


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  Beware of puppy teething. Puppies teeth between the ages of three and six months, and at this time they become more playful. Puppy biting and chewing becomes more common because it allows the puppies to soothe their aching gums. While a little playful gnawing isn’t aggressive, it CAN lead to aggressive biting if encouraged. Be tolerant of your puppy’s biting, but rather than letting him chew your hand or other body parts, give him something cold. A great solution is to put your pup’s favorite toy in the fridge overnight, then give it to him to chew on all next day. This will not only keep him from nipping on humans, but also help soothe the teething pain.


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  Socialize your dog at an early age. This is absolutely crucial in your dog’s development and essential in preventing unwanted aggressive behavior. The more used to other dogs and people your puppy is, the less likely he will develop common aggression problems later in life. Show him respectful behavior towards children, visitors, and other dogs at an early age, and reinforce this behavior. Your dog will learn to love people and other dogs, and relish in their company.


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  Finally, do not encourage your puppy’s aggressive behavior with games like wrestling or tug of war. Games that encourage winning bring out the most aggressive behavior in dogs, so avoid these types of games. Instead, encourage light, non-competitive games such as running and playing fetch.

A pleasant behavior towards your dog and good socializing will drastically diminish aggression in puppies. Allow your pup to have fun and be young, but be firm and consistent in your training. Your puppy, family, and friends will all thank you!