Right around the time a new puppy settles in, the chewing begins. A shoe, a table leg, your fingers — suddenly everything is fair game. It is not misbehavior; it is teething, and for small companion breeds like Yorkies, Malteses, Shichons, and Cavapoos it is one of the most predictable phases of the first year. Knowing the timeline makes it far easier to stay patient and steer that chewing somewhere safe. Here is what to expect, and how families who bring home a puppy from Sugar Sweet Georgia Puppies in Lawrenceville can make teething smoother for everyone.
When do puppies start and stop teething?
Puppies are born without teeth. Their baby teeth — the deciduous set — begin erupting around three weeks of age, and by six to eight weeks a puppy has a full set of about 28 tiny, needle-sharp teeth. That is usually before a puppy comes home, so most families meet their puppy already working on those little teeth.
The part you will actually witness is the changeover. Somewhere between about three and a half and five months, those baby teeth start loosening and falling out as the permanent teeth push up underneath. Adult incisors and canines tend to come in first, followed by the premolars around four to six months and the molars around five to seven months. By roughly six months of age, most puppies have finished the process with a complete set of 42 adult teeth.
A puppy teething timeline at a glance
Every puppy is a little different, but here is the general pattern you can expect. Print or save the graphic below to keep it handy.
| Age | What's happening |
|---|---|
| ~3 weeks to 6–8 weeks | Baby teeth erupt — a full set of 28 deciduous teeth |
| 3½–5 months | Baby teeth begin falling out; adult incisors & canines emerge |
| 4–6 months | Adult premolars come in |
| 5–7 months | Adult molars come in |
| ~6 months | Teething typically complete — 42 adult teeth |
Signs your puppy is teething
The hallmark sign is a big jump in chewing and mouthing. A teething puppy wants to gnaw on almost everything to relieve pressure in sore gums, and may get nippier during play. You might also spot a tiny tooth on the floor or in a chew toy, notice a little blood-tinged drool, or find your puppy favoring a certain texture. Some puppies eat a bit more slowly for a day or two when a tender tooth is loosening. All of this is normal, and it passes.
Swallowing a baby tooth is generally harmless — puppies do it all the time, and the tooth simply passes through. What matters more is giving that chewing urge an acceptable outlet, which is where a few simple tools make a big difference.
How to soothe a teething puppy safely
The goal is to redirect chewing onto things that are meant to be chewed, and to use cool textures that calm sore gums. A rotation of safe options keeps it interesting:
Give the right chew toys
Offer soft puppy-specific chew toys and sturdy rubber toys sized for a small mouth. Avoid anything hard enough that it does not have some give — overly hard chews can crack a puppy's developing teeth. A chilled or frozen rubber toy is especially soothing because the cold numbs tender gums.
Use cool, puppy-safe snacks
Cold treats can double as gum relief. Frozen blueberries, a chilled carrot, or a cold green bean give a satisfying crunch. Keep treats to a small share of the day's calories so they do not crowd out balanced puppy food, and introduce any new food slowly.
Redirect nipping calmly
When needle teeth find your hand, calmly swap in a toy rather than pulling away or scolding. Consistency teaches your puppy that hands are not chew toys but this squeaky dinosaur absolutely is. Puppy-proofing the house helps too — our guide to preparing your home for a new puppy in Georgia covers tucking away cords, shoes, and anything else at nose level. Redirecting chewing pairs naturally with the routines in our potty-training guide, since a busy, well-structured puppy has fewer chances to practice unwanted chewing.
When to call your veterinarian
Small and toy breeds are especially prone to retained baby teeth. Sometimes an adult tooth comes in while the baby tooth it should have replaced stays put — most often an upper canine — leaving what looks like a “double” tooth. This can crowd the bite and trap food and plaque, so if you still see a baby tooth sitting right beside an adult tooth as your puppy nears six months, have your veterinarian take a look. It is a common, very manageable issue best handled by a professional, not something to wait out.
Also check in with your vet if you notice broken teeth, swollen or bleeding gums beyond the mild teething fussiness, a tooth that seems stuck, bad breath, or your puppy refusing to eat. These are questions for a licensed veterinarian rather than something to diagnose at home.
Every companion puppy from Sugar Sweet Georgia Puppies is registered through the Premier Kennel Club (PKC), a Lawrenceville-based small-breed registry, and we're always glad to talk through what to expect as your puppy grows — including this toothy stage.
Frequently asked questions
At what age do puppies stop teething?
Most puppies finish teething by around six months of age, when their full set of 42 adult teeth has come in. Small and toy breeds follow the same general timeline. Heavy chewing usually eases noticeably once the last adult teeth are in place, though some dogs keep enjoying appropriate chew toys well into adulthood.
How many teeth do puppies have?
Puppies have about 28 baby (deciduous) teeth, which erupt starting around three weeks of age. As they teethe, those are replaced by 42 permanent adult teeth. Losing and swallowing a few baby teeth along the way is normal and generally harmless.
What can I give my puppy to chew during teething?
Soft puppy chew toys, sturdy rubber toys, and chilled or frozen chew toys are great choices, along with occasional cool snacks like frozen blueberries or a cold carrot. Avoid very hard chews that could crack developing teeth, and always supervise chewing to be sure nothing small gets swallowed.
Is it normal for a puppy's gums to bleed while teething?
A little blood-tinged drool or a small spot of blood when a baby tooth falls out is common and usually nothing to worry about. But persistent bleeding, swelling, a stuck tooth, or a puppy that will not eat should be checked by your veterinarian rather than managed at home.
Thinking about a small-breed puppy?
We're a family-run home for small companion puppies in Lawrenceville, serving Gwinnett County and Metro Atlanta.
1848 Old Norcross Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Phone: (678) 253-4081 · Pricing: (678) 990-0775
Hours: Mon–Sat 12:00 PM–7:00 PM · Sun 2:00 PM–6:00 PM
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Sources: PetMD (vet-reviewed), Puppy Teething: Timeline, Signs, and Care Tips; VCA Animal Hospitals, Dental Anatomy of Dogs. This article is general information and not a substitute for advice from your licensed veterinarian.
