German Shepherd puppies are incredibly playful. The way you play with them while they’re still small…
Teething Tips & Teething Relief For Puppies
Is your new puppy turning into a teething terror? Every puppy goes through the teething stage, and it typically starts around the time you bring your new four-legged family member home (lucky you!).
As the teething process starts, your pup will have a strong urge to chew while growing those new pearly whites.
This guide will walk you through the basics of teething, along with my recommendations on the very best chew toys for teething puppies. These toys (along with my other tips and tricks) offer much-needed teething relief for puppies.
*This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the links I get a small commission at no additional cost to you 🙂 .
Basics of Puppy Teething
When do German Shepherd puppies start teething?
Baby teeth start coming in when the puppy is between 2 and 4 weeks old, and all teeth should have fully arrived by the age of 6 weeks.
After you bring your new German Shepherd puppy home (at around 12 to 16 weeks old), your little furball will start losing its baby teeth.
How do I know when my puppy has started teething?
You’ll likely know because your GSD will be biting on everything.
Additionally, when your four-legged baby starts teething, you may notice a little blood on their favorite chew toys. Don’t panic! This is normal and should stop on its own.
You may also find a few baby teeth around the house. They’re tiny – about the size of a grain of rice!
Your pup might also start to drool more than normal and may even slow down their eating pace.
As your pup loses its baby teeth, permanent adult teeth will begin to emerge. This is a painful process! We’ll talk more about teething relief for puppies later in this article.
How many teeth do puppies have?
Puppies typically have around 28 teeny tiny (razor-sharp) baby teeth. By the time teething is over, your dog should have around 42 adult teeth – that’s 10 more teeth than you!
How long does puppy teething last?
By the time your German Shepherd puppy is around 6 months old, all of their adult teeth will be in. If you notice any baby teeth hanging on, talk to your vet in case they need to be pulled.
Is teething painful for puppies?
Unfortunately, the teething process is painful. Your puppy’s gums will be sore and uncomfortable, and your pup will be on the prowl for something to chew to soothe its aching mouth.
In general, you want to make sure to give your puppy something safe to chew as an appropriate outlet for teething relief.
And if your puppy’s mouthy behavior turns into rough biting, check out this article for tips on curbing bad biting behavior.
Best Chew Toys for Teething Puppies
As I mentioned, your new puppy’s chewing behavior will ramp up during the teething phase.
Before your new puppy turns into a whirlwind of destruction, find your furry pal an outlet for chewing by checking out these awesome chew toys for teething puppies.
Bonus Tip: Freeze puppy teething toys to give your pup a cooling, soothing way to play and chew.
The KONG Puppy Rubber Chew Toy
The KONG brand is known for its toughness, and this puppy version of the popular KONG toy combines that durability with a gentler rubber formula – perfect for teething puppies.
KONG toys are super bouncy, which all puppies love, and it’s tough enough to leave in the crate with your puppy for long chewing sessions.
It comes in a few different sizes, but I recommend the large size for a German Shepherd puppy.
This toy also doubles as a tasty treat. Because it’s hollow on the inside, you can fill it with peanut butter or other KONG treats.
Bonus tip – use this as a frozen puppy teething toy. Fill it with peanut butter and then pop it in the freezer. Trust me, your German Shepherd pup will love it!
What I love:
- Great for both crate training and teething
- Durable
- Bouncy
- Doubles as a stuffed treat
- Great for freezing
Possible downsides:
- Make sure to choose the right size for your puppy. Because this is a softer rubber, your pup may be able to chew off a chunk of the KONG if it’s too small.
And the verdict is…
I’m a big fan of KONG toys – they always make my “must have” lists, and the KONG Puppy Rubber Chew Toy is no exception. Every puppy needs one!
The Benebone Real Flavor Wishbone Dog Chew Toy
Your puppy won’t be able to resist the mouth-watering flavor and scent of this Benebone Wishbone chew toy!
The Benebone Wishbones are made from durable nylon and come in three different flavors and sizes. Plus, they’re designed so your pup can “hold” the bone with its paws – perfect for getting a good chew going!
One quick note – these toys are not edible! So you should toss out once you notice some wear and tear.
What I love:
- Great for teething
- Irresistible flavor and smell
- Ideal shape and design
Possible downsides:
- Despite the tempting taste and smell, don’t let your puppy eat it! This toy is not edible.
And the verdict is…
Your puppy will go bonkers for this chew bone! Soon your furball will forget all about her aching gums while happily gnawing away on her flavored Benebone.
The N-Bone Puppy Teething Rings
Now this is a puppy chew toy that your pup CAN eat! And they’re lip-smacking good and puppy-approved.
Plus, they’re fortified with calcium for healthy teeth and bones, as well as omega 3 fatty acids for healthy brain development. These rings do it all!
One bag comes with 6 rings, which will last you a while.
What I love:
- Great for teething
- Edible
- Fortified with Omega 3’s and calcium
- Tasty!
Possible downsides:
- You’ll need to monitor your pup at all times when she’s chomping away on one of these rings – you don’t want your dog to accidentally swallow a chunk that’s too big!
And the verdict is…
These puppy teething rings are the perfect combination of a tasty treat and teething pain relief. Add in those bonus healthy ingredients, and I can’t recommend these enough!
The Nylabone Just for Puppies Key Ring Chew Toy
The Nylabone Key Ring Chew Toy is ideal for teething puppies – it’s designed with a softer material that really massages and soothes sore gum.
This toy’s soft, chewy texture will give your pup hours of gentle chewing entertainment. And did I mention this toy is bacon flavored? Yum!
Allie loved this toy as a teething puppy, and a great bonus was that she was never able to destroy them.
What I love:
- Great for both teething
- Soft and gentle
- Promotes better oral health
Possible downsides:
- That soft material that makes this a great teething toy also makes it less durable, so make sure to supervise your pup with this toy. I never had problems with the durability of this chew toy, but always best to supervise.
And the verdict is…
Give your four-legged baby some soft, chewy relief during teething with this Nylabone toy, all while starting her off right with a clean and healthy mouth.
The Nylabone Puppy Chew Teething Rings
The Nylabone Teething Rings are another great product from this company. With a delicious bacon-flavor and a soft, chewy texture, these rings are ideal for teething puppies.
There are several Nylabone chew toys out there, but I like the ring is best for German Shepherd puppies because of its size.
Allie had these teething rings and they were a lifesaver. Plus, she was never able to destroy them – score for the Nylabone!
What I love:
- Great for both teething and play.
- Bacon flavored
- Soft and gentle
- Promotes better oral health
Possible downsides:
- Similar to the previous toy, the softness of these rings is a bonus for a teething puppy. But you shouldn’t leave your pup unattended with this toy, just in case.
And the verdict is…
This Nylabone ring is another excellent choice for better oral health and comforting relief during teething.
The Nylabone Dura Chew “X” Toy
One last toy from Nylabone rounds out my list (they really are the MVP when it comes to a variety of puppy teething toys!). And this Dura Chew “X” is one of my favorites.
This particular toy isn’t soft and chewy like the other Nylabone toys I’ve recommended so far. It’s made for tougher chewers and is ultra-durable.
And my favorite thing about this toy is the shape – the unique X-shape makes it easy for Allie to hold while she’s chewing.
What I love:
- Great for late-stage teething
- Durable
- Ideal shape and design
- Promotes better oral health
Possible downsides:
- This is a dog chew toy – not a puppy chew toy. This is great because the toy is more durable, but it could also damage your puppy’s new teeth right at first. It’s a good idea to wait until your pup has a mouth full of strong, pearly white adult teeth before using this toy regularly.
And the verdict is…
For a more durable teething toy, pick up this Dura Chew “X” Bone. Your pup will grab hold and never let go!
Other Remedies
Aside from chew toys, you can also try some of these home remedies – they work wonders and provide awesome teething relief for puppies.
- Frozen carrots.
- Ice cubes.
- Frozen washcloth. Only let your puppy chew a washcloth under careful supervision – once the washcloth starts to thaw, take it away and refreeze.
Frozen carrots and ice cubes were my go-to treats for Allie when she was teething, and she still loves them to this day! Not only do they work wonders on sore gums, but they’re also the perfect snack on a hot summer day.
Caring for Your Dog’s Teeth at Every Stage
Caring for your dog’s teeth starts early. In fact, even though your puppy’s teeth will fall out, you should still get your dog used to having fingers in their mouth. Trust me, this will make life a whole lot easier in the future when it’s time for adult doggy dental care.
Start by rubbing your pup’s mouth, teeth, and gums with your fingers.
You can also gently rub your puppy’s teeth with a soft cloth or dog toothbrush after 6 months of age. Make sure it’s a pleasant experience – try rubbing your GSD’s mouth when you’re snuggling.
Brushing your dog’s teeth is an experience that takes some getting used to. Use a specially formulated doggy toothpaste with a delicious flavor (like bacon) to help convince your dog this is a fun (and delicious) new activity.
Brushing once a week is a great starting regimen for better oral hygiene.
You should also schedule a dental check-up with your vet at least once a year, along with an annual tooth cleaning. But if your furball’s breath is extra foul, give your vet a call – stinky breath can be a sign of gum disease.
Final Thoughts
Growing big kid teeth is tough work! Be patient with your pup and don’t discipline them for chewing on things. It is important to understand that your GSD is confused and just looking for a way to soothe their sore mouth.
With these tips and toys, you’ll be in and out of the teething phase in no time.
Any other puppy teething toys you’d like to suggest? Or tips on how to make the teething process as painless as possible for both you and your furball? I’d love to hear them!
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