Teething madness!

[Dexter Doodle]

Just when I thought the mouthing got better, we are in major teething mode at 17 weeks and it is picking up again. Two nights ago Dexter lost his first tooth and a second and a third all in one night! Well he was a biting monster again. He seemed to do better the next day until night came and the biting increased again. I tried the frozen washcloth last night which was left with spots of blood on it. I know at least one more tooth is about to come out.

I continue to correct him with the mouthing and redirect him, but it really feels like a losing battle. Is it even possible to get them to completely stop mouthing hands and clothing at this point? I just don't understand why he can control his behavior at some points of the day and be worse at others. I guess I have to think of him like a tired, fussy baby. Has anyone else feared a knotted frozen washcloth would give them a taste for other washcloths and towels?

Since Dexter was doing well with training my trainer offered for us to come last weekend to a pack walk she does with other dogs that have already completed training. All the dogs were a lot older than Dexter. The owners all laughed when I told them I will never ever get another puppy. Most of them had 2 or more dogs. I mean it though! I get why this group is called puppy madness! :)

[Laura and Angus]

Ugh thanks for posting! Our puppy Angus is a similar, inconsistently bitey little piranha! He hasn't lost any teeth yet (as far as we know), but he's definitely super mouthy - particularly toward the end of the day. He's almost 4 months... I'm interested to hear what other people have experienced! 

[Kathryn Clark]

We've noticed something similar in our puppy, Dewey, starting yesterday at 15 weeks. The day before, he was really badly behaved too. Good idea about the frozen washcloth, I'd just been giving him a frozen kong with treats and chicken broth. It's definitely his back teeth too since he really wants to bite us way back in his mouth. We actually had to muzzle him at the vet this morning so she could check him out, sigh. I hear you, I'll never get another puppy, too frustrating! I'm sure we'll look back next year and wonder how we could ever think it!

[Dexter Doodle]

The sad part is the last time we were at the vet she actually complimented us on how well we worked with him because he wasn't mouthing her. I'm glad he is finished with his shots and can only hope he will be better by time he is neutered!

I raised a child, taught second graders for many years, and did it with ease. I thought I would have better patience for a puppy. I can only hope you are right about looking back at this differently a year from now. Then again, my feelings have greatly changed in the last 3 weeks or so. I was truly feeling overwhelmed. Now, I just get frustrated. May not sound like a big difference, but it is!

[Kathryn Clark]

Yep, I have a ten year old and sometimes I think she was easier as a baby than a puppy! Glad to hear your vet was complimenting you. I'd love to have that happen to us! If it's any consolation, here's a pic of him right now gnawing away on my chair ... he has a thing for roller chairs, like a surrogate mother.

[Dexter Doodle]

Now that is the true face of a puppy! ;)

[Marie + Marshall]

I have seen this face many times.. LOL.. this site is really amazing..without other's similar stories, I would have completely thought there was something wrong with my little Guy. I am going through all of this as well...but we haven't lost any teeth yet. My Marshall Tucker is a 16 week old GD.  Good luck to us all!!!

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

It's important to remember that you can't teach a puppy NOT to bite, rather focus on teaching them HOW to bite. While teething it's totally normal for them to mouth everything. Goal should be teaching them how much pressure is okay to use if they are mouthing humans.

I use the "yelp" method. Essentially when they bite with too much pressure, you yelp the way another dog would if they were in pain. Puppies understand this language and will usually back off immediately. If they continue relentlessly, put them for a break in the kennel (calmly) or behind a baby gate in another part of the house for a few minutes. Then resume play. Sometimes they do get too workers up, so the time out is necessary.

They will continue to be mouthy through 6 months when teething is done.

[Dexter Doodle]

He is almost always gentle mouthing on skin. The only exception I can think of is when he is going for a toy and gets my hand instead. He knows when he does and will instantly lick which I take as he is acknowledging his mistake. Clothing is a different story and I really don't want ripped clothes and fear him going after a guest's clothing.

He lost another tooth tonight and yet another has been bleeding. That means he will likely lose 5 in just a couple of days. I know he is in discomfort and feel bad for him. Hopefully he keeps up this rate and moves through it quickly. ;)

So in your experience it mouthing always stopped when teething stopped? I guess that is my biggest concern that it will continue beyond that because I was unable to teach him not to bite.

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

All my dogs stopped after teething (8 dogs total in my life). Some of them continued to be lickers, but were not mouthy. Some dogs are still mouthy as adults, in my opinion as long as it's gentle and when I say "no" they stop I'm okay with it. Like I said, you can't teach them not to bite. If he's being gentle on hands and skin then that's great!

Clothing is tricky, they're just so quick!! I do my best to make them sit for a treat when meeting new people and just try to have them calm. I feel like they bite more when they're hyper excited. If you can hold their attention with a brief training session when a visitor comes over and not let them get too crazy hopefully the clothes can stay hole free.
Good luck! Stay patient and persistent!!

[Melissa & Harley]

We feel your pain...literally! Lol. Harley is about 5 months now and it seemed like the past few weeks were the worst. We had 6 teeth fall out over 5 days (his came out in pairs, which I thought was odd). BUT, since then, the chewing has really fallen off and he doesn't nip at our hands anymore! He's also eating much better. He was so disinterested in food, I was ready to take him to the vet!

It gets better! I promise!

[Dexter Doodle]

Deep down I believe it, but it is so hard to imagine at this point! Oh how I look forward to the day when I can pet him and not have his teeth on my hands or clothing!

[Mary Hall]

Cowboy is awful at night, and we're exhaused trying to deal with him.  We've watched training video after video dealing with biting and barking and have really tried to incorporate the ideas we thought were best.  Amazingly, he's wonderful at night, like the pup we expected, but night is something else.  I will never again get a puppy.