Dealing with Australian shepherd teething can be challenging!
Teething puppies like to chew on anything and everything, and it can be quite a bit of work to make sure they are not destroying your house during their teething period.
If you are a first-time Australian shepherd owner, you may be wondering when your puppy will stop teething, when they will lose baby teeth, and how to soothe them during the teething process.
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When Do Australian Shepherds Start Teething?
Puppies, like humans, are not born with teeth.
A puppy’s first set of teeth begin to erupt from the gums at about 2 weeks of age. These 28 teeth that first form are called milk teeth and are the puppy equivalent of baby teeth.
Australian shepherds, like most breeds, will eventually have 42 adult teeth which form once the milk teeth fall out.
At about 4 months of age, the puppy teeth will start to fall out, and the adult teeth will grow in. This is when the teething stage begins.
During this stage, your Australian shepherd puppy will likely want to chew on everything! Puppies are like babies – chewing on something may help to ease and soothe the pain of teething.
How Long Do Australian Shepherds Teeth For?
The teething process starts at about 4 months of age when the milk teeth start to fall out.
Teething continues for about 3-4 months, as the milk teeth fall out and new adult teeth grow to replace them.
This is an uncomfortable time for puppies, and it may feel like your puppy is teething forever!
Fear not, by about 7 or 8 months of age, your Australian Shepherd should have all of their adult teeth, and that teething phase will be over.
How To Know When An Aussie Is Teething
Remember that although teething can be painful, it is a part of life and growth. You may feel helpless watching your puppy go through the teething process but remember that it won’t last forever!
If you are not sure if your puppy has begun teething, below are some signs and symptoms to watch out for that are definite indicators that teething has begun.
Chewing
All dogs have an interest in chewing, but if you notice that your puppy is beginning to chew on everything in their path, chances are they have started teething.
It is a good idea to have lots of chew toys on hand for your teething puppy.
Drooling
You will likely notice an increase in drool when your Australian shepherd puppy starts teething.
This excess drool is due to pain and discomfort in their gums. You will notice that when the puppy is chewing on something, there will be a lot of slobber.
Your puppy may even just drool while not chewing on anything.
Eating Slowly
Teething causes your puppy’s gums and teeth to be sore and sensitive. This oral pain may cause them to eat very slowly and be hesitant to eat.
Even if your puppy was previously a very fast eater, they may slow down and chew slowly because their mouths are so sore, or they may need encouragement to eat their food, whereas previously, they’d run to their bowl.
Some puppies will be in so much pain that they try to avoid eating altogether when teething.
Red, Swollen or Bleeding Gums
It is normal for your Australian shepherd puppy to have red and swollen gums during teething. Bleeding is also normal as the puppy teeth do fall out and can bleed.
You may notice some blood on chew toys – this is very normal and not a cause for concern.
Most bleeding is normal during teething, but if you feel that your puppy is bleeding excessively, you should consult your veterinarian.
It is important to note that the gums may stay swollen and red even after the teething process is over. In most cases, this is completely normal and not a cause for concern.
Whining
Puppies whine often, but you may experience more whining when your puppy is teething.
Your puppy may whine more often when playing with chew toys or when eating because they are experiencing pain from their sensitive teeth and gums.
Visible Lost Teeth
You will likely be able to see your Australian shepherd puppy’s teeth as they fall out. The teeth may fall out when the puppy is chewing on a toy, so check around the area where your puppy plays and see if you can find some teeth.
Remember that puppies may also swallow their teeth when they fall out, so you might not be able to find every single one!
How To Soothe A Teething Australian Shepherd
Watching your Australian shepherd puppy be in pain can be upsetting, so here are some tips that will help them through the teething process.
Offer Cold Carrots
Most dogs enjoy the taste of carrots, and crunching on a cold carrot can help to soothe sore gums.
You can give your puppy a few cold baby carrots every day to crunch on. Carrots also add beneficial vitamins and fiber to your puppy’s diet.
Frozen Bananas
Offering frozen bananas to your puppy is the same idea as giving them cold baby carrots – the cold helps to soothe the aches and pains of teething, and the banana is a sweet treat for your puppy!
Give your puppy only a few slices of frozen banana a day to crunch on as they are high in sugar.
Frozen Washcloth
Another favorite for teething puppies is to offer them a frozen washcloth. If you wet a washcloth, twist it into a rope shape, and then let it freeze, your puppy will have a cold chew toy ready to go!
The cold towel helps to ease discomfort, and the chewy texture of the towel helps your puppy learn how to chew on toys. Make sure to use a washcloth that you don’t care about, as it is probably going to be full of holes and slobber when your puppy is done with it.
Get Teething-Specific Toys
Pet stores offer lots of toys that are specific for teething puppies. You can even get toys that you can fill with water and freeze, which, much like a frozen washcloth, will soothe their gums.
Depending on your local store, you can even bring your Australian puppy into the pet store with you, which is a great opportunity for socialization!
Rub Your Puppy’s Gums
You can try sitting your puppy on your lap and gently rubbing their gums with your finger.
This might help to soothe your puppy when they are feeling uncomfortable and can make them feel less anxious about the whole teething process.
Doing this when your puppy is young is also great practice for having them be comfortable with you touching their mouths. Later on, you may choose to brush your puppy’s teeth, so they will need to be comfortable with you handling their mouth and gums.
Offer Soft Foods
If you find that your puppy does not want to eat, you can offer them some soft foods.
You can give your Australian shepherd puppy some wet dog food specifically formulated for puppies or even soak their puppy kibble in a little hot water to soften it.
You can also speak to your vet and ask for a list of specific soft foods that you can feed to your puppy.
Speak To Your Vet
If you feel that your puppy is bleeding excessively when they lose teeth or have excessive discomfort that cannot be managed with the tips listed above, it is worth it to speak to your vet.
It is not advised to give your puppy pain killers, but if your vet thinks that your puppy’s pain is too much to handle, they may decide to give your puppy a gentle painkiller.
Give Them Extra Love
Not every puppy is a lap dog, but being extra affectionate with your puppy may go a long way when they feel uncomfortable due to teething.
Give your puppy extra tummy rubs and pet them, and if they happen to be cuddly, then you can let them sit on your lap or nap on you!
Replace Other Items With Toys
This tip won’t necessarily soothe your puppy, but it will save your clothes, shoes, and furniture! If you see your puppy chewing on anything that it shouldn’t be, be sure to give them a toy instead. This will help your puppy to understand that chewing is okay, as long as they are chewing on their own item!
Remember to supervise your Australian shepherd puppy when they are chewing on toys, frozen carrots, or a frozen towel. It is important to keep a close eye on your puppy at all times so that they don’t have a chance to chew on other household items.
Want To Train Your Australian Shepherd With Peace Of Mind?
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So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases, it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your Australian Shepherd completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
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FAQ
What Age Do Australian Shepherds Lose Their Baby Teeth?
At about four months old, your Australian shepherd puppy will start to lose their baby teeth. Over the next few months, all of the baby teeth will fall out and be replaced by adult teeth. By about 7-8 months, your Australian shepherd puppy should no longer have any baby teeth at all and will have its full set of adult teeth.
Are Australian Shepherds Chewers?
First off, all puppies are chewers. Some may chew more than others, but during teething, each and every puppy, regardless of the breed, will be a chewer! Later in life, Australian shepherds may be destructive chewers if they become bored or feel isolated.
Australian shepherds are known for being a very active breed, and because they were bred as a working dog, they need a lot of mental stimulation. If your dog feels bored and frustrated, it may become destructive and chew on your furniture, shoes, or other household items. It is important to exercise your Australian Shepherd frequently and give them lots of toys that provide enrichment to their routines.
Australian shepherds are somewhat of a high-maintenance breed because they require a lot of physical activity. When there is a lack of activity, there is boredom. When there is boredom, they may become a chewer!
Of course, chewing is fine as long as it is restricted to the dog’s toys. Make sure to always redirect your Australian shepherd puppy to chew on their toys and not any household items.
Final Thoughts
Watching your puppy go through the teething process can be just as upsetting as watching a human baby go through the same process!
It is normal to feel helpless when you watch your puppy experience pain and discomfort.
Remember that your puppy will likely start to teethe around four months of age, and that process can continue for three or four months.
It is a good idea to be prepared before the teething actually starts. Start stocking up on teething toys, discuss best practices with your vet and be ready to be patient while your Australian shepherd puppy wants to chew on anything and everything.
Teething is a good opportunity to make sure that your puppy is comfortable with your handling their mouth. As mentioned previously, when your puppy is feeling uncomfortable, you can rub their gums to help soothe them. This is good practice for later on when you may want to brush your dog’s teeth – your Australian Shepherd will already be familiar with you touching their mouth and gums.
Remember to consult with your vet if you feel that your puppy’s teething symptoms are outside the realm of what you feel is normal. If your puppy is bleeding excessively or has completely stopped eating, make sure that you are asking for your vet’s advice, as they will be able to guide you and help you ease your puppy’s discomfort.
Dealing with a puppy, especially a teething Australian shepherd puppy, can feel like a full-time job! Remember that the teething phase will not last forever, and try to cherish the moments that you have with your puppy – they really do grow up fast!
