Surviving Teething with a Golden Retriever Puppy

Teething is a time that makes you question exactly why you got a puppy in the first place. Especially when that adorable little golden retriever has now turned into a piranha! So here are some tips and tricks for surviving teething.

Golden retrievers by nature are a very orally fixated dog. They were bred that way because they were trained to retrieve ducks and small game, usually of the bird variety. This makes them naturally want to pick things up and carrying them. Now add in the instinctual need to chew because they are cutting teeth starting at around 4 months of age and lasting until roughly 6 months of age and it can be a bit of a nightmare for the us humans! Especially if the puppy starts getting ahold of things they shouldn’t.

My favorite piece of advice for anyone going through the teething phase with their puppy is to restrict where they are allowed to roam. This is NOT the time you want your puppy having free access to the house because they will find the most expensive item you love and chew it up!

This is also when I especially love to use ex-pens in the house, close to where you are working or relaxing to keep the puppy calm (this also helps teach calmness!). Crates when you’re not home and supervised play times in the back yard and decent walks when possible. Games, like scatter games in grass with food will burn off that energy, its mentally stimulating and satisfy some chewing instinct.

We want the puppy to have appropriate things to chew on. Because chewing is what helps them, cut those teeth and allow the baby teeth to fall out.

What are some puppy approved toys to survive teething?

1. Appropriately sized Kongs! Don’t be afraid to freeze some snacks inside to keep them extra occupied and the cold helps their gums feel better. ( If the Kong is cracked or has chunks missing toss it immediately and get a new one! )
2. Rawhide FREE chews, pig ears, Dried cheese squares. **note**Puppies and dogs can not digest rawhide so ensure any treat you get does not have rawhide in them. If they eat too big of a piece it can and will cause an obstruction and thats an expensive life threatening surgery.
3. Freezebowls! these are relitivly new (or new to us) and puppies tend to love them and they are much easier to clean then kongs.
4. 4.) larger nylabones. Do not use the tiny puppy ones. Goldens grow FAST and will outgrow those little ones quickly. We don’t usually use Nylabones with our own personal dogs usually but many clients have liked and utilized them so we added them here. Just be safe as they are plastic and can cause obstruction issues if swallowed.

Don’t hesitate to ask your vet at their 12 week vaccines on toys and treats the vet approves of as well since they will see those obstructions and can advise you which toys they prefer you to stay away from.

**note on toy sizing** To ensure your puppy can’t swallow the toys place the toy between the jaw bones on the underside of the dogs jaw. If it fits between the jawbones in the soft part of the jaw where the tongue would sit its to small they CAN swallow it!
If the toy is an odd shape check that no parts can fit between the jaw bone. If it can fit between the jaw bones in the soft underside of the jaw toss that toy immediately and get a bigger one!

How do you get back something from your puppy safely when they’ve grabbed something that is unsafe or undesirable to chew?

The biggest thing is DO NOT chase them around the house. Two things happen. This is inciting play to the puppy. You’re teaching keep away games that are really fun to the puppy! And once the puppy realizes that when you catch them you WILL take the object away they will likely swallow or try to swallow the object in their mouth! This leads to emergency vet visits and potentially expensive surgery and/or death depending on the object the puppy swallows!

So how do we get it back safely?

1. Grab anything closest to you. A pillow, a treat, a dog toy, even a napkin, and get the puppies attention by happily calling their name and gently waving the object or treat near puppy height.
2. Once the puppy looks at you walk backwards , gently waiving the object back and forth. Walking backwards draws the puppy to you. If you walk forwards you will likely push the puppy away as the game of keep away has started. 9 times out of 10 the puppy will drop what ever is in their mouth and start chasing after you if you walk backwards. Or they will carry it to you.
3. If its food the puppy will usually drop whats in their mouth to eat. allow the puppy to eat the food and as the puppy is eating the treats slowly grab the object they had and put it in a pocket or up where they can’t reach it.
4. If the puppy is playing with something not a puppy toy OR they are being stubborn and not dropping the item in their mouth repeat walking away and calling their name. When they get close to you give them some love and scratches to reward them for coming to you and then just gently pick them up and hold them just slightly with their head down. Most pups will drop the toy when you do this.
5. Give them lost of scratches and loves. Pick up the item and then put the puppy back down once the puppy is not longer wiggling and squirming around.
6. Carry on with your day! don’t forget to put your puppy in a “puppy safe” enviorment so they don’t grab your next favorite item and shred it! or swallow it! no one wants THAT vet bill!

The last thing we can say is Good luck!

Teething is frustrating but its worth it once you get through it! And This time will pass! Continue to work on their obedience. Continue to take them for walks and enjoy those puppy moments because they are fleeting even if they are frustrating!

Until Next time!
~The Legacy Ranch Team

Written by Lindsey with 15 years experience as a dog trainer, instructor and handler.