07/11/2021
“My puppy was doing so well with its toilet training, and then they seemed to forget it all”
“My puppy has been getting more bitey recently and won’t stop attacking my hands”
“My puppy is destroying everything I own”
“My puppy is refusing to sleep and is playing up far more than they used to”
“All of the training we have done so far seems to have gone backwards and they seem more grumpy”
I hear these concerns, and many similar ones, from puppy owners almost every day. It can be worrying when our very sweet puppy suddenly becomes stroppy and seemingly intentionally defiant. But just like pretty much all behaviour changes, there’s a totally understandable reason behind it. Our pups are in pain.
Just like a teething baby, this stage in our pups’ lives can cause huge discomfort and upheaval. Not only do their mouths hurt, it can also give them tummy aches, prevent them from being able to sleep properly and can change their overall demeanour and personality.
As frustrating as our pups can be when they’re teething, they are only behaving in response to this process. Instead of getting cross, we need to be kind and understanding, give them plenty of things to chew on and nice cold things to soothe their sore gums with, such as frozen dog-safe fruits, and ride it out. Teething does end.
