When do dogs stop teething?

When a puppy arrives, chewing quickly moves from cute to urgent, and knowing when teething ends helps you protect your home and your dog’s long-term mouth health.

Why teething matters to every dog owner

Understanding the teething window matters beyond tolerating a few chewed shoes. If you know roughly when teething will peak and taper, you can plan training, avoid destructive mistakes, and catch problems early that may affect a dog for years. I typically see owners underestimate how long mouthing can influence socialization and housetraining: puppies in intense teething phases may be less patient with long training sessions, more easily frustrated, and more likely to use teeth on hands unless redirected.

Practical preparation helps prevent damage and protect dental development. Puppies that aren’t given safe alternatives often turn to baseboards, furniture legs, or small objects that risk choking—so timing chew management and supervision is useful. Finally, recognizing when normal teething becomes a veterinary issue helps you preserve bite alignment and prevent infections that could compromise permanent teeth.

How long does teething last — a concise timeline

Most puppies have finished the teething process and show a full set of permanent teeth by about 6–7 months of age. Smaller breeds frequently complete eruption a bit earlier, often around 5–6 months, while large and giant-breed puppies may continue to get the last adult teeth until roughly 9–12 months.

Signs that teething is effectively over include a full complement of 42 adult teeth in most dogs (the premolars and molars being last to appear), no remaining loose baby teeth, gum tissue that looks settled rather than swollen, and chewing that shifts from constant, exploratory mouthing to more targeted chewing on toys and food. If you’re counting teeth, a stable set with healthy alignment and no persistent gaps is a practical marker that eruption has finished or is nearly finished.

What happens inside a teething puppy’s mouth

Puppies start with a set of deciduous, or baby, teeth that are relatively small and sharp. These emerge within the first few weeks of life and serve for initial grooming, nursing, and exploration. As the skull and jaw grow, deeper developmental processes prepare a larger set of permanent teeth. The baby tooth roots gradually break down in a process that is likely linked to pressure from the developing adult tooth and cellular signaling that tells root cells to resorb.

As roots shorten, baby teeth loosen and fall out, and the permanent tooth moves up to fill the space. Jaw growth plays a role: a growing jaw creates room and changes the angle of eruption, so breeds with different adult sizes follow different timelines. Chewing behavior has a mechanical and comfort function; chewing can relieve pressure around erupting teeth and may help the permanent tooth follow a normal path into the gum.

Key factors that influence teething timing (breed, size, health)

Breed and adult body size are among the strongest influencers. Small-breed dogs tend to develop and finish dental eruption earlier, while giant breeds can have delayed eruption because their jaws remain growing longer. Genetic and developmental variation means siblings in the same litter may finish at different times.

Nutrition and general health may be linked to the speed and quality of tooth eruption; severe deficiencies in key minerals or vitamins could plausibly slow development, and I encourage feeding a balanced puppy diet appropriate for the breed type. Traumatic events—like jaw injuries or severe infections—can delay or distort eruption, and retained baby teeth may crowd permanent teeth, interfering with normal alignment.

Teething stages and unmistakable signs to watch for

Early signs often show up as increased chewing, drooling, and restlessness. Puppies may gnaw more intensely on everything from your fingers to furniture and often seek textured items for relief. You may notice a transient decrease in patience during play and sometimes mild changes in appetite if the gums are sore.

In the middle stage, deciduous teeth may loosen or fall out, and you might see small blood spots on toys or bedding. Gums around erupting teeth can be slightly reddened or swollen; at this stage it’s common to find little gaps where baby teeth have dropped and adult teeth are pushing up. A loose baby tooth that easily comes out when you gently pull may indicate normal progression.

Late signs include the visual presence of large, broad adult incisors, canines, premolars and the last molars. The mouth looks comparatively more crowded as adult teeth settle, and chewing behavior becomes more purposeful. If adult teeth line up reasonably straight and there are no lingering loose baby teeth, eruption is likely complete or nearly so.

When to consult a vet: teething warning signs and red flags

Not every loose tooth is normal and not every eruption goes smoothly. Retained baby teeth—deciduous teeth that stay in place past the expected timeframe—can cause crowding, trapping plaque against permanent teeth and increasing the risk of early periodontal disease. If baby teeth remain once the adult tooth is fully erupted beside them, extraction is usually recommended.

Watch for severe swelling, pus, very bad breath, or persistent bleeding; these may suggest infection needing prompt veterinary attention. A puppy who is reluctant to eat, exhibits fever, or shows marked lethargy may have systemic involvement and should be seen sooner rather than later. Broken teeth, visible fractures of canine crowns, or signs of jaw pain and reluctance to open the mouth are also reasons to get professional care.

A practical roadmap for owners helping a teething dog

1. From arrival, start a simple log: note dates when baby teeth are lost and when adult teeth appear. A brief photo every few weeks helps identify retained teeth or unusual alignment.
2. Provide multiple safe chew options and supervise during peak months (roughly 3–6 months for many breeds). Rotate toys so interest stays high and destructive choices decrease.
3. Introduce gentle oral handling early: lift lips, look at teeth, and make short sessions positive so your puppy accepts future brushing and exams.
4. Schedule a veterinary visit for routine wellness that includes a quick oral check before six months. If you or your vet find retained baby teeth, discuss extraction timing—often done under anesthesia when the adult tooth is present or when it’s creating crowding.
5. If swelling, pus, severe pain, fever, or broken teeth appear, seek veterinary care immediately; infections can damage developing permanent teeth if untreated.

At-home care and training strategies to ease teething

Redirecting chewing is the most effective strategy. When a puppy mouths your hand or furniture, calmly offer a chosen chew toy instead and reward the swap. Consistency matters: puppies learn fastest when the replacement is immediate and clearly more rewarding than the forbidden item.

Positive reinforcement helps with mouthing. Teach “gentle” by allowing soft mouthing during supervised play and stopping play if pressure increases—resuming play when the puppy relaxes teaches bite inhibition. For very intense chewers, short, frequent play sessions are better than long ones when the puppy is overstimulated.

Puppy-proofing reduces risk: put tempting small objects out of reach, block off areas with valuable items, and use exercise and mental enrichment to limit stress-related chewing. Manage sleep and exercise to avoid overstimulation; a tired puppy with acceptable chew options is less likely to destroy household items.

Safe toys, chews and tools that actually help

• Chilled rubber chew toys and teething rings—cooling reduces gum discomfort and soft rubber gives tooth relief without fracturing enamel.
• Frozen wet cloths or food-stuffed Kongs—moisten a towel or fill a Kong with plain yogurt or canned pumpkin and freeze for a soothing, long-lasting option.
• Vet-approved dental chews and soft finger toothbrushes—use chews sized for your puppy and introduce gentle toothbrushing early to build tolerance to routine oral care.
• Avoid hard, brittle items like real bones, antlers, or very hard nylon chews that can fracture developing teeth or shed dangerous shards.

References and where to learn more

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “Dental Care for Dogs” — AVMA.org guidance on routine dental care and puppy teething considerations.
• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Dental Disease in Dogs” — MerckVetManual.com overview of tooth eruption, dental problems, and recommended care.
• American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC): “Pet Owner Information — Dental Health” — AVDC.org resources on retained deciduous teeth and extractions.
• American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA): “Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (2019)” — detailed clinical recommendations relevant to puppy dental timing and care.
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: “Pet Health — Dental Care for Dogs” — practical owner-facing guidance on brushing, chews, and when to seek care.