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ByGavin Levenstein

How to Help a Teething Puppy Without Losing Your Shoes

If your sweet pup is suddenly chewing everything in sight (especially your shoes), you’re not alone. Teething is a short—but intense—phase. With the right textures, a little cold relief, and calm redirection, you can soothe sore gums and protect your home.

Fast answers to top teething questions

  • When do puppies stop teething? Most puppies finish teething by 6–7 months when all 42 adult teeth have erupted.
  • Is bleeding normal during puppy teething? Light, brief gum bleeding can be normal; persistent or heavy bleeding needs a vet check.
  • Are frozen carrots safe for teething puppies? Yes—offer small, manageable pieces and supervise to prevent choking.
  • How do I stop a puppy chewing shoes? Manage access, redirect to a safe chew, reward the right choice, and use a chew deterrent spray on off-limits items.
  • Puppy not eating much? Mild appetite dips can happen during teething; contact your vet if it lasts more than 24 hours or pup seems unwell.

Jump to:

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Puppy Teething Timeline (3 weeks–7 months)

Teething is your puppy’s natural transition from baby to adult teeth.

  • 2–4 weeks: Deciduous incisors erupt
  • 4–6 weeks: Canines and premolars erupt
  • 3–4 months: Baby teeth start falling out
  • 4–6 months: Adult incisors, canines, premolars and molars erupt
  • 6–7 months: Most pups have a full set of 42 adult teeth

Tip: Keep a gentle routine of chews and short training sessions throughout these months to build calm chewing habits that last beyond teething.

puppy chewing a soft rubber teething toy to soothe gums

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Signs Your Puppy Is Teething

  • Increased chewing and nibbling on hands, shoes, or furniture
  • Swollen or mildly bleeding gums; occasional drool
  • Baby teeth found in toys or on the floor
  • Preference for softer food or less interest in hard kibble
  • Slight irritability or restlessness

Call your vet if you see ongoing bleeding, bad breath with swelling, pus, facial pain, or if your puppy refuses food/water.

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Safe Chews, Textures and Cold Relief

Chewing helps massage sore gums and relieves pressure. Choose textures that soothe without damaging developing teeth.

Recommended textures:

  • Soft rubber: Durable yet gentle resistance—great for gum massage. Try a soft rubber puppy teething toy.
  • Rope or fleece: Braided rope/fleece toys can be dampened and frozen for extra relief. Consider a rope/fleece tug.
  • Food-grade silicone: Flexible, tooth-kind options for moderate chewers.

Cold therapy that’s pup-safe:

  • Chill or freeze rubber chews
  • Frozen damp washcloth (twist for grip; supervise and remove if fraying)
  • Freezable dispensers loaded with puppy-safe fillings
  • Frozen carrot coins or batons (size for your puppy; supervise)

Are ice cubes safe? Small ice chips are usually safe for healthy pups when supervised, but avoid large cubes that can crack teeth or pose a choking risk.

DIY cool-down ideas:

  • Freezable lick-mat: Spread xylitol-free plain yogurt with mashed banana, or pumpkin mixed with kefir. Freeze 1–2 hours.
  • “Pupsicle” tray: Blend banana + plain yogurt (xylitol-free), pour into silicone molds, and freeze.

Safety first: Always supervise chewing, match toy size and firmness to your puppy’s breed/chew strength, and replace worn or frayed toys.

Shop Teething Essentials ? soft rubber chews, freezable treat-dispensing toys, and more.

Rubber vs rope vs silicone: when to use each

  • Rubber: Best daily go-to for most pups; stuff and freeze for extra relief.
  • Rope/Fleece: Great for supervised tug and cold therapy; remove if strands fray.
  • Silicone: Nice for gentle to moderate chewers; choose ridged textures for gum massage.
frozen rope toy for puppy teething relief
freezable treat dispenser loaded with puppy-safe puree

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How to Stop Chewing Shoes and Furniture (Redirection + Training)

Puppies don’t chew to be “naughty”—they’re seeking relief and entertainment. Here’s a simple protocol to protect your stuff and teach better choices.

The Redirection Protocol (How-To)

1) Manage the environment: Keep shoes, remotes, and cords out of reach; use baby gates and crates for downtime. 2) Interrupt calmly: Say “uh-uh” or “leave it,” then remove the item only if safe to do so. 3) Offer a better option: Hand your pup a favored chew (ideally cold or stuffed). 4) Pay the choice: Praise warmly and reward with a treat when they chew the right thing. 5) Make the wrong choice boring: Use a chew deterrent spray on table legs, shoes, and skirting. Reapply as directed. 6) Rotate toys: Keep 3–4 chews in play; swap every 2–3 days to maintain novelty.

Teach “Leave it”:

  • Start with a treat in your closed fist. When your pup backs off, mark “Yes!” and reward from the other hand.
  • Gradually add easy household items, then higher-value temptations (socks, slippers).

Nighttime teething survival tips:

  • Pre-bed routine: 10 minutes of sniffy play or a short training game, bathroom break, then a chilled chew in the crate/bed.
  • Comfort setup: Draft-free sleep spot, a safe freezable treat-dispensing toy, and white noise if your home is busy.
  • If your pup wakes to chew: Offer the cold chew, keep lights low, and avoid exciting play.

Cross-training for calm:

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Best Teething Toys and Supplies We Recommend

Practical, vet-safe picks that genuinely help sore gums and redirect chewing:

Top 3 and when to use them:

  • Freezable dispenser: Bedtime, crate time, and when you need a longer, calm activity.
  • Soft rubber chew: Daily relief, training rewards for “good chewing.”
  • Rope/fleece: Supervised play and quick cold therapy sessions.

Psst… Want help choosing? Read our Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Chew Toy for Your Dog and Dental Toys vs. Dental Treats: Which Works Best?. For crafty types, try DIY Chew Toy Hacks Using Old Toys and Treats.

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Breed-Size Specific Teething Tips

  • Toy breeds: Opt for extra-soft rubber and small, thin pupsicles or carrot coins.
  • Medium breeds: Soft to medium-firm rubber works well; ensure chews aren’t swallowable.
  • Large/strong-jawed pups: Choose thicker, durable puppy-rated rubber; avoid very hard items that can crack teeth.

Myth-busting, quickly:

  • Raw bones? Avoid—risk of tooth fractures and GI issues.
  • Bully sticks? Use sparingly, supervise, and size correctly; they’re high in calories.
  • Ice blocks? Only small pieces and supervised.

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When to See the Vet

  • Retained baby teeth (adult tooth erupts but baby tooth stays)
  • Persistent or heavy gum bleeding
  • Swollen, hot, or oozing gums; bad breath with pain
  • Not eating or drinking for 24+ hours
  • Crying when chewing or avoiding all toys

Early checks help prevent alignment issues and discomfort.

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FAQs

When do puppies stop teething?

Most puppies finish teething by 6–7 months when all 42 adult teeth have erupted.

What are normal signs of puppy teething?

Increased chewing, mild gum swelling, brief bleeding, a bit of drool, and baby teeth found in toys are common.

Is gum bleeding normal during teething?

Light, short-lived bleeding can be normal; ongoing or heavy bleeding requires a vet visit.

Are frozen carrots safe for teething puppies?

Yes—offer small, breed-appropriate pieces and supervise to prevent choking.

How do I stop my puppy from chewing shoes?

Block access, redirect to an appropriate chew, reward that choice, and apply a chew deterrent spray to off-limits items.

What are the best safe chews for teething puppies?

Soft rubber toys, freezable treat-dispensing toys, and puppy-specific dental chews for puppies are reliable choices.

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Puppy Teething Checklist (free)

Use this quick plan to prevent chaos and keep your puppy comfy.

House-proofing:

  • Store shoes, remotes, and cords out of reach
  • Gate off high-value rooms
  • Spray deterrent on table legs/skirting

Toy rotation (set a 3-day reminder):

  • 1 soft rubber chew (freezable)
  • 1 rope/fleece (for supervised sessions)
  • 1 freezable dispenser (stuffed and ready in the freezer)

What to freeze:

  • Damp twisted washcloth (supervise)
  • Freezable dispenser with pumpkin + xylitol-free yogurt
  • Rope/fleece tug and carrot coins

Training micro-plan:

  • 3 × 2-minute “leave it” sessions daily
  • Reward calm mat settles
  • Redirect + reward every good chew choice

Health watch:

  • Check gums/teeth weekly
  • Note any retained baby teeth or persistent bleeding
  • Call your vet with concerns

Download the Puppy Teething Checklist (PDF) coming soon.

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With a few smart tools, consistent redirection, and cold-chew comfort, you’ll protect your shoes and help your puppy through teething with confidence.

Shop Teething Essentials | Explore: Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Chew Toy for Your Dog • Dental Toys vs. Dental Treats: Which Works Best? • DIY Chew Toy Hacks Using Old Toys and Treats • Quiet Time Training: Teaching Your Dog to Settle Down When Needed

Disclaimer: Supervise all chewing, size toys appropriately, avoid xylitol and cooked bones, and replace worn or frayed items. If in doubt, speak to your veterinarian.

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