When introducing a new puppy to your home, you probably have a lot of questions. One of the biggest concerns when it comes to puppies is teething. Teething can be quite an annoyance for the owner who has their shoe chewed up while being a painful and unpleasant experience for the puppy. So what can a German Shepherd owner expect in terms of teething?
When do German Shepherds stop teething? German Shepherds stop teething once their adult teeth have grown in completely, at around 6 months old. German Shepherd puppies will begin the teething process after the puppy teeth have grown in, around 6 to 8 weeks. There may be slightly less major teething when the adult teeth begin to settle into the jawline.
Knowing the different stages of teething and how you can help your puppy through the situation is critical to a happy dog and a happy owner. We are going to discuss the different stages so you know exactly what to expect and when. We will also give you a few tips and tricks to helping your dog experience less pain during the teething process.
German Shepherd Puppy Teething Stages
When your German Shepherd is born he will start growing in his first set of teeth, known as the baby teeth or deciduous teeth. It should only take a few short weeks for these to be fully developed, which is when the actual teething process begins to take place.
At around 6 to 8 weeks of age, German Shepherd puppies will begin to lose their baby teeth. This makes room for the adult teeth to grow in. During this time, your puppy will experience a decent amount of pain and maybe chewing on everything and biting you more than usual.
Once your puppy has reached around 6 months old, the teething process should be over.
At this time, your puppy should have all of his adult teeth (42 in total). However, while the major teething process has finished, some dogs experience a secondary, less painful and severe teething stage which occurs when the adult teeth are settling into the jawline.
If your German Shepherd puppy isn’t done teething at 6 months of age (or isn’t at least close), you may want to have his mouth checked out by a veterinarian. Some dogs may simply have a longer, more difficult time growing their adult teeth in, while others may have a problem that needs fixing.
Teething Impacts the Ears as Well
This is something a lot of German Shepherd owners don’t know about, but it is quite an interesting fact. You see, teething is a process that a German Shepherd goes through to help him grow up, mature, and finish developing.
During the teething process, a German Shepherd’s ears will likely go up and down.
They will continue doing so until they find a good spot to settle in. At this point, your German Shepherd’s ears should not move anymore and keep the same position into adulthood.
How to Help a Teething German Shepherd
During the teething stage, your German Shepherd is going to suffer from a bit of pain and discomfort. That is why he will likely begin chewing on everything in sight and bite everyone and anything he can get his hands on. This is just a normal reaction to the pain he is experiencing in his gums.
So how can you, as the owner, help out?
1. Exercise your German Shepherd more often
Really one of the best ways to not think about pain is to be distracted.
Since your GSD puppy is already an active little thing, exercising is our #1 choice. Take your dog running, to the dog park, or throw a ball in the water and let her swim after it.
Exercise helps him get rid of that extra pent up energy but distract him from the pain of his gums as well.
That’s a win-win!
2. Give your German Shepherd puppy a cold, slightly frozen towel
For this, all you need to do is find a clean towel, get it wet, and place it in the freezer.
Don’t let it get rock hard, though, as this can damage the teeth.
Also, make sure you keep an eye on him so he does not end up swallowing parts of the towel, should it begin to fall apart.
3. DON’T give him an old shoe to chew on
Of course, you don’t want your puppy destroying your favorite pair of shoes, so find an old pair you don’t use anymore and give them to your German Shepherd as a chew toy.
Nope. Never give your puppy something that resembles something valuable.
Why?
He can’t distinguish between an old pair of shoes and a brand-spanking new $100 pair of shoes. You shouldn’t expect him to. And you can’t get mad at him when he eats the $100 pair. So save yourself the heart and headache.
The same goes for letting your German Shepherd puppy jump up on people. What happens when your GSD grows up to nearly 100 pounds? Not so cute then, is it?! And now you’ve got a ton of re-training to break him of that cute puppy habit.
*drops mic*
Just like a human toddler, it seems as though puppies are more interested in what they can’t have than their actual toys.
4. Consider purchasing a soft rope toy
Rope toys are about the best toy you can give a puppy that’s teething.
There is something about the design and material that truly works magic on easing the pain.
5. Give them toys to chew on
If you have no household scrap items to sacrifice, don’t worry.
Puppy teething toys are perfect for chewing on (without getting into trouble).
6. Don’t forget bones!
A bone is truly a dog’s best friend. They simply love them, and it can really take off the edge of teething. You may also want to consider treat bones that are great for improving dental hygiene in dogs.
If you can’t seem to get a handle on how much your dog is chewing, you may also want to consider crating them for short periods of time. Toss in a few toys and their food and water so they have something to eat, drink, and chew on during these times.
During the teething process, always make sure your valuables are kept out of reach!
The last thing you want is your puppy getting his hands on something valuable or meaningful, so keep these things away from your puppy until the teething process is complete.
Can You Train a German Shepherd While Teething?
Some people might think that it won’t work to train a teething pup but think again. The teething stage is an excellent time to do obedience training. And potty training.
Although it won’t make him stop chewing on everything, it will lessen how often he does it.
German Shepherds who are not trained have a tendency to become very rowdy and never learn to stop chewing and biting. That being said, it’s very important to start obedience training at a young age, and yes, it’s fine to do so while he is teething.
Related Questions
Yes. During the teething stage, a German Shepherd puppy might bite his owner simply to get relief from the painful teething. As an adult, German Shepherds are very loving and attached to their owners. They will only bite if they want their owner’s attention and aren’t getting enough of it.
If you are not going to get your German Shepherd professionally trained in obedience, you can still teach him not to bite in the comfort of your home. The best way to do this is to say ‘Ouch!’ when you are bit, followed by an authoritative ‘No!’. Then, stop playing with your pup altogether until he is settled down. Repeat. Always reward good behavior.
