Why your puppy keeps chewing and how you can make it stop

You love your puppy’s floppy ears. The wagging tail. But you do not love finding your favorite loafers in pieces by the back door.

Welcome to puppy teething.

Every puppy goes through it. Somewhere between three and six months old, those needle-sharp baby teeth start falling out, and grown-up teeth push their way in. It hurts. And when puppies hurt, they chew.

So how do you protect your couch, your cords, and your shoes without losing your mind, or your bond with your dog? Let’s dig in.

Know the stages: What’s actually happening in that mouth

Before you can fix the chewing, it helps to know what’s going on. Puppy teething moves through three rough stages.

Weeks 12 to 16: The first teeth go

Baby teeth start to loosen and fall out. Your pup might seem cranky. She might chew more than usual, because pressure on sore gums actually feels good.

Weeks 16 to 20: Peak discomfort

Most baby teeth are gone by now, and the adult teeth are pushing through. Expect more drool, more chewing, and maybe some puffy gums.

Weeks 20 to 26: The home stretch

Adult teeth finish coming in around six months. The urge to chew eases, though some gum tenderness may linger as the jaw settles.

Watch for red flags along the way: a puppy who won’t eat, won’t stop whining, or has bleeding that doesn’t quit. Those call for a vet visit, not a wait-and-see.

Why your puppy chews (hint: it’s not personal)

Ever catch yourself glaring at your puppy like she just insulted your ancestors? Take a breath. She’s not plotting against your throw pillows. She’s a baby exploring the world with the only tools she has: her mouth and her nose.

Here’s what’s really driving the chewing:

• Curiosity. Puppies learn about everything by mouthing it.
• Teething pain. Chewing relieves pressure on sore gums.
• Boredom. An understimulated puppy finds her own fun, and it’s rarely fun for you.
• Anxiety. Chewing calms a stressed-out pup, just as we might click a pen or bite a straw when we’re on edge.
• Instinct. Even adult dogs chew to keep their teeth clean and their jaws strong.

Once you understand the why, the what-to-do gets a lot easier.

Teach your puppy to chew the right things

Punishing a teething puppy backfires. It won’t stop the chewing. It’ll just make her anxious, and an anxious puppy chews more, not less. Skip the scolding and teach instead.

You’re the adult here

Your puppy can’t tell your old sneakers from your new ones. She can’t tell a chew toy from the leg of your grandmother’s dresser. That’s on you to manage, not her.

Clear the floor. Shut the cabinet doors. Put your shoes away. If she can reach it, assume she’ll chew it.

Give her toys that don’t look like your stuff

Don’t hand your puppy an old sock and expect her to know it’s suddenly off-limits. Give her toys that look and feel nothing like your belongings, so she can actually tell what’s fair game.

Skip the chase

Running after your puppy when she grabs your slipper turns theft into a game. She’ll bite down harder and run faster, because now you’re playing along. Instead, call her over and trade: her prize for a treat or a toy.

Set yourself up for a realistic teething season

No puppy sails through teething without ruining at least one sock. Expect some damage. Puppy-proof before the chewing starts, not after your favorite rug becomes history. And breathe: this phase doesn’t last forever, even when it feels like it will.

Ways to stop the chewing on the spot

Distract, don’t dwell

Caught your pup mid-chew on the couch leg? Redirect, fast. Grab her favorite toy, start a round of fetch, or head outside for a walk. A distracted puppy isn’t a puppy chewing your furniture.

Try a taste she hates

Bitter sprays work because puppies hate the flavor. Spritz it on tempting spots, like table legs or couch arms, and she’ll learn to steer clear. You can buy a bottle or mix your own: two cups of apple cider vinegar and one cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle. Just remember, deterrents fade. Reapply often.

Give her something better to chew

Frozen chew toys numb sore gums like an ice pack for her mouth. Cold carrots work too. Chewy treats double as pain relief and a snack she’ll actually thank you for.

Start training now, not later

Teach chewing rules early: which items are off-limits, which are hers, and what “leave it” means. Reward every good choice. The habits she builds now stick with her for life.

Common trouble spots (and how to outsmart them)

Furniture legs

Cover exposed legs, or coat them with a deterrent spray. Give her a toy with a similar texture so she has somewhere else to sink her teeth into.

Cords and cables

This one isn’t just about your electric bill. It’s about her safety. Bundle cords along the baseboards, add cord covers, and spray anything within reach.

Shoes

Out of sight really is out of mind. Store shoes in a closet, not by the door, and praise her every time she picks up a toy instead.

Retrain the reflex: 5 habits that work

* Reward the right chew, every time. Praise her big when she picks her toy over your stuff. * Build a chew zone. A designated spot with toys tells her exactly where chewing is welcome. * Use puzzle toys. Stuff one with kibble, and she’ll work for her food instead of your furniture. * Redirect, then reward. Catch her chewing the wrong thing? Swap it for a toy, then praise the swap. * Stay consistent. Everyone in the house needs to play by the same rules, or she’ll stay confused.

Tired puppies chew less

A bored puppy becomes a one-dog demolition crew. Walks, playtime, and training sessions burn off the energy that would otherwise go toward your baseboards.

Socializing her matters too. Puppies who meet new people, dogs, and places grow into calmer, more confident adults, and calmer dogs chew less under stress.

Start brushing her teeth during this phase as well. It’s a small habit now that pays off for a lifetime of easier vet visits.

Products worth having on hand

Mistakes to skip, and safety to watch

A few habits make teething harder than it needs to be. Skip these:

• Punishing the chewing. It teaches fear, not manners.
• Handing over old shoes as toys. She can’t tell old from new.
• Bending the rules some days and not others. Pick a rule and stick with it, every day.
• Leaving temptations within reach, then getting upset when she takes the bait.
• Chasing her down. It’s a game to her, and she’ll always win.
• Letting toys go stale. Rotate them so she stays interested.
• Ignoring warning signs. Bleeding, swelling, or a puppy who won’t eat needs a vet, not a wait-and-see.

And a few safety notes worth keeping in your back pocket:

• Check chew toys often. Broken pieces are a choking risk.
• Protect cords. A chewed cable can shock or burn her.
• Keep her off painted or varnished surfaces. The chemicals aren’t safe to swallow.
• Watch for signs of a blockage: vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite. That’s an emergency, not a wait-it-out.

Quick answers to the questions every puppy parent asks

How long does teething actually last?

Usually three to six months, with the roughest patch around four to five months. By six months, most of the pain has passed.

My puppy still chews the couch even with deterrent spray. Is that normal?

Yes, especially during peak teething. Sprays fade, so reapply often, and pair them with good toys and enough exercise.

What are the telltale signs of teething?

More drooling, more chewing, some crankiness, puffy gums, and the occasional tiny tooth turning up on your floor.

Can I use ice cubes for the pain?

You can, but watch closely for choking. A frozen chew toy does the same job more safely.

Should I worry about bleeding gums?

A little blood is normal. Heavy bleeding, pus, or a bad smell means it’s time to call the vet.

How many chew toys does she really need?

Aim for five to seven, with a mix of textures. Rotate them so nothing gets boring.

When should I start brushing her teeth?

Right now. Gently touch her mouth and gums during teething, so brushing feels normal by the time her adult teeth settle in.

The bottom line on puppy teething

Teething is temporary. Your favorite armchair does not have to become a casualty of it.

Teach her what’s hers to chew. Distract her before she reaches for your things. Stay patient, because she’s a baby and she genuinely doesn’t know better yet. And keep showing up for her, because that’s what puppy parenthood is.

Before long, the drool stops, the sharp little teeth settle in, and you’ll look back on this phase and almost, almost, miss it.

Paul Andrews has spent years turning wild puppies into well-mannered dogs. He shares what he’s learned at his blog, The Upper Pawside, where he’s on a mission to help new pet parents fall in love with the whole messy, wonderful process of raising a dog.

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