Puppy Teething: Timeline, Symptoms, and How to Survive It

The Teething Timeline

Puppies are born without teeth. Their first set (deciduous or baby teeth) erupts between 2 and 4 weeks of age. They have 28 baby teeth.

Between 3 and 7 months of age, these baby teeth fall out and are replaced by 42 permanent adult teeth. This process is painful and drives the frantic chewing behavior that puppies are infamous for.

Age	What Happens
2-4 weeks	Baby teeth emerge
3-4 months	Incisors (front teeth) start falling out
4-5 months	Canine teeth (fangs) loosen and fall
5-7 months	Premolars and molars come in
7-8 months	All 42 adult teeth should be in

For more on this topic, see our guide on How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need? (By Breed and Age).

Symptoms of Teething

Excessive chewing on everything (furniture, shoes, hands, cords)
Drooling more than usual
Slight bleeding from the gums (normal)
Mild irritability or fussiness
Reluctance to eat hard kibble
Finding small baby teeth on the floor (many are swallowed, which is harmless)

For more on this topic, see our guide on Puppy Teething Timeline: What to Expect and How to Survive It (2026).

How to Help

1. Provide Appropriate Chew Toys

The puppy needs to chew. If you do not provide appropriate outlets, they will find inappropriate ones.

Frozen washcloths: Soak a washcloth in water, wring it out, twist it, and freeze it. The cold soothes sore gums and the texture feels good.
Frozen Kongs: Stuff with wet food or peanut butter and freeze. The cold numbs the gums while the food keeps them occupied.
Rubber teething toys: Toys designed for the teething phase (like Nylabone puppy keys or KONG Puppy) are softer than adult chew toys.

2. Redirect, Don’t Punish

When the puppy chews something inappropriate (like your hand or a table leg):

Say “Ouch!” or “Ah-ah!” calmly to interrupt.
Immediately offer an appropriate chew toy.
Praise them when they chew the correct item.

3. Puppy-Proof the House

During the teething phase, treat your house like you would for a toddler. Pick up shoes, secure electrical cords, close doors to rooms with valuable furniture, and use bitter apple spray on items you cannot move.

Retained Baby Teeth

Sometimes a baby tooth does not fall out, and the adult tooth erupts alongside it (a “retained deciduous tooth”). This is most common in small breeds. If this happens, the baby tooth usually needs to be extracted by your vet to prevent overcrowding, misalignment, and dental disease.