When Do Golden Retrievers Stop Teething

Golden Retrievers are known for their friendly and playful personalities, but when those sharp puppy teeth start coming in, things can get a little rough around the edges. Understanding the teething process and timeline is crucial for managing your puppy’s behavior and ensuring they develop healthy chewing habits. This post’ll cover everything you need to know about teething in Golden Retrievers, from the first signs to helpful tips for getting through this challenging phase.

Understanding Teething in Golden Retrievers

What is Teething?

Teething is the natural process by which a puppy’s baby teeth (also known as deciduous teeth) fall out and the adult teeth grow in. It’s a significant developmental stage that can cause discomfort and lead to behavioral changes, particularly increased chewing.

How Teething Affects Puppies

• Chewing: The pressure of new teeth erupting can cause soreness and irritation in your puppy’s gums. Chewing helps to relieve this discomfort.
• Discomfort: Teething can be painful, leading to whining, irritability, or even a slight loss of appetite.
• Drooling: Increased saliva production is common during teething and helps to soothe the gums.

Why Do Puppies Chew During Teething?

Chewing is a natural instinct for puppies, becoming even more pronounced during teething. The act of chewing helps to:

• Relieve pressure: The pressure of new teeth pushing through the gums can be intense. Chewing provides counter-pressure, easing the discomfort.
• Massage gums: The gnawing action massages the gums, promoting blood flow and reducing inflammation.
• Strengthen jaw muscles: Chewing helps to develop and strengthen the jaw muscles, which is important for adult dogs.

Teething Timeline for Golden Retrievers

Puppy Teeth Development (2-8 Weeks)

• Around 2-3 weeks of age, your Golden Retriever puppy’s first baby teeth will start to appear. These are usually the incisors (front teeth).
• By 8 weeks old, they should have a full set of 28 baby teeth.

When Golden Retrievers Start Teething (3-4 Months)

• The first signs of teething usually appear around 3-4 months of age. You might notice your puppy:
  • Chewing excessively on objects, furniture, or even your hands
  • Drooling more than usual
  • Having red or swollen gums
  • Losing their appetite or being fussy with food
  • Acting irritable or restless

When Golden Retrievers Stop Teething (6-8 Months)

• By 6-8 months old, most Golden Retrievers will have all their adult teeth.
• However, some residual discomfort or chewing behavior may persist for a few more weeks as the adult teeth settle into place.

Signs Your Golden Retriever is Teething

• Excessive chewing on objects, furniture, or people
• Increased drooling
• Red or swollen gums
• Loss of appetite or being fussy with food
• Irritability or restlessness
• Whining or whimpering
• Mild bleeding from the gums (occasionally)

How to Help Your Golden Retriever Through Teething

Provide Appropriate Chew Toys

• To keep your puppy interested and engaged, offer a variety of chew toys with different textures and levels of hardness.
• Soft, rubbery toys soothe sore gums, while harder nylon or rope toys help scrape away plaque and tartar.
• Avoid dangerous items like rawhide, cooked bones, or sharp objects that could puncture their digestive system.

Cold Treats and Chews

• Cold or frozen treats can provide relief for sore gums.
• You can freeze wet washcloths, Kongs filled with peanut butter or yogurt, or even baby carrots.
• Always supervise your puppy when they’re enjoying frozen treats to prevent choking.

Training to Prevent Destructive Chewing

• Use the word “No” with positive reinforcement to teach your puppy what they can and cannot chew on.
• Reward them for chewing on appropriate toys and redirect them when they chew on things they shouldn’t.
• Set clear boundaries and provide plenty of supervision to prevent destructive chewing.

Dental Care During Teething

• Start brushing your puppy’s teeth early to get them used to the routine.
• Use a soft-bristled doggie toothbrush and doggie toothpaste specifically formulated for dogs. It’s usually made out of a meaty paste they can ingest.
• You can also use dental chews or wipes to help clean their teeth and gums.

When to Seek Professional Help

Abnormal Teething Symptoms

• Persistent discomfort or chewing behavior beyond 8 months of age
• Retained baby teeth that haven’t fallen out on their own
• Gum infections or abscesses
• Excessive bleeding from the gums