Teething Puppies

By Nan Talleno

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Just like children, puppies also lose their baby teeth. Puppies have twenty-eight baby teeth that erupt through the gums between three and six weeks of age. They begin to grow their permanent adult teeth at about four to six months old. The molars come in last, at about six or seven months of age. You may find an occasional tooth, but many puppies occasionally swallow them as part of the normal process.

Teething generally lasts for several weeks. Be aware that the nature of the chewing becomes much more intense when a puppy begins to teethe. Never become angry or frustrated with your puppy for what is purely natural and compulsory.

Keep your puppy away from items that can be perceived as toys, such as shoes, socks, clothes, even the fringe on rugs or couches. Set your puppy up to succeed. Simply redirect by offering appropriate chew toys such as frozen stuffed Kong products, Nylabones, etc. Even a damp washcloth rolled into a log or soaked in low-sodium chicken broth and popped into the freezer becomes a chew toy that can help soothe a puppy's sore gums. Always supervise your puppy when offering these treats.