Introduction

Congratulations on welcoming your adorable Stokeshire Doodle puppy into your home! While this furry addition brings heaps of love and joy, it also brings along the inevitable challenge of teething and nipping. Fear not! This survival guide is tailored to help you navigate through this phase with ease and ensure a smoother transition into a well-mannered adulthood for your beloved pup.

Understanding Teething in Stokeshire Doodles

Teething Process:
Just like human babies, Stokeshire Doodle puppies undergo a teething process. Around four months old, your puppy will start losing its puppy teeth, making way for the adult set to emerge. This transition spans several months and may bring about sore gums and a heightened urge to chew.

Signs of Teething Discomfort:
Look out for signs indicating your Stokeshire Doodle puppy is teething:

• Excessive Drooling: Increased drooling may occur as new teeth come in.

• Chewing Everything: Teething discomfort prompts puppies to seek relief through chewing.

• Reduced Appetite: Sore gums might make your puppy hesitant to eat dry food.

• Irritability: Teething can lead to changes in temperament and increased fussiness.

Managing Teething and Nipping

1. Providing Appropriate Chew Toys:
   Offer your puppy a variety of chew toys designed for teething puppies. Opt for softer toys to be gentler on their gums, and rotate them regularly to keep your puppy engaged.

2. Redirecting Behavior with Positive Reinforcement:
   When your puppy nips, firmly say "no" and immediately offer a toy instead. Praise your puppy when they chew on the toy instead of nipping.

3. Using Deterrents for Nipping:
   Consider using natural deterrents like bitter apple spray on your skin or clothing to discourage persistent nipping.

4. Implementing a Teething Schedule:
   Establish a consistent routine for play and chewing sessions to help your puppy understand when to chew on their toys and when to relax.

Tips for New Stokeshire Doodle Puppy Owners

• Patience and Consistency Are Key:
  Remember, this phase is temporary. Stay patient and consistent with training methods.

• Socialization and Training During Teething:
  Use this critical period for socialization and training to instill good manners and a positive relationship with the environment.

• Seeking Professional Help If Needed:
  Don't hesitate to consult a professional trainer if nipping becomes overwhelming.

When Do Puppy’s Teeth Fall Out?

Puppies get their baby teeth at a much younger age than human babies — as early as two weeks old. As puppies grow, they explore their world with their mouths. When a puppy is about 3 to 4 months old, puppy teeth begin to fall out to make room for 42 adult teeth. (That’s about 10 more teeth than people have.)

This process can be excruciating for your pup — his gums will be sore. When teething occurs, you might notice the puppy drooling or see little spots of blood on his toys, although if you notice anything unusual, talk to your veterinarian since both symptoms could also be related to a more serious issue.

Once your puppy is 6 months old, his baby teeth should have fallen out. According to AKC Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein, “You may find puppy teeth on the floor, although the puppy is likely to swallow most of the teeth. If you find that some don’t fall out, be sure to tell your veterinarian. They may need to be removed by a veterinary professional.”

View a complete timeline of puppy teething.

How to Survive Puppy Teething

The teething process is very uncomfortable for a puppy. Your job as a responsible owner is to provide something your pup can chew on to soothe sore gums and help make this process a little more comfortable. By doing so, you’ll be preventing the puppy from finding something on his own to chew, whether it’s your shoes, your couch, or your children’s toys.

The best objects to offer teething puppies depend on your dog’s size and level of activity. They include rubber teething toys that you can put in the freezer, such as a Kong, edible puppy teething rings, and flavored puppy chew toys.

Ask your veterinarian what the safest chew toys are for your puppy, and whatever you choose, always supervise chewing and playtime because nothing is safe for every dog. Dr. Klein suggests that allowing puppies and older dogs to chew anything very hard can cause damage to their teeth. Check the toys periodically to ensure they aren’t falling apart. Your puppy should not be able to chew chunks off or pull pieces of fiber or stuffing from them. Sticks can also be hazardous, although many puppies chew them.

How to Stop a Puppy From Nipping

Puppies naturally nip at each other while playing and sometimes don’t realize how hard they’re able to bite down without hurting the other dog. If they bite too hard, another dog will make a loud yelp, warning the puppy, “Hey, that hurts!”

You can teach your puppy that biting hurts with a loud, high-pitched “OW” if he bites you. Then give him a treat or verbal praise for backing off. Beware that some puppies get even more worked up if you yell. In this case, turn around quietly or walk away, or gently put the pup in a crate for a few minutes to calm down.

Now is the time for them to learn how to moderate the force of a bite, called bite inhibition. Any adult dog might put their mouth on you or someone else, like your vet if they’re in pain, but the outcome will be harmless if the dog has learned bite inhibition.

After teaching him that biting you is painful, let him know what he can bite or chew on. If he starts nibbling at your fingers or toes while you’re playing, offer him a toy instead. Keep toys where you can easily reach them so you can quickly offer an acceptable alternative when the puppy needs to chew.

If he continues to nip you, stop the play session so that he realizes that biting is not rewarded. You may also need to redirect that excessive puppy energy with outside playtime, a walk, or a training session. Never hit your dog or otherwise physically punish him. If your pet seems to be biting out of aggression (not during play), speak to a veterinarian or dog trainer about ways to deal with that behavior.

Dog Bite Prevention Week: Be a Tree

Dogs and kids—and trees!

Dogs are stimulated by movement and noise, and children are known for their movement and noise! Still, it is possible to work toward and achieve positive and comfortable relationships between dogs and kids.

The "Be a Tree" Example

One of the most valuable skills that children can learn is to stand still and "Be a Tree" if a strange dog comes near them or if a dog is bothering them or becoming too frisky.

Here's how to "Be a Tree":

1. Stop.

2. Fold in your branches (hands folded in front).

3. Watch your roots grow (look at your feet).

4. Count your breaths in your head until help comes or the dog goes away.

"Trees" are boring to dogs. A dog will just sniff at a child/tree and then go away. No matter what the dog does, it is important for the child to stand still, avoid eye contact (by looking down at his/her feet), and stay quiet.

Practice, Practice, Practice

It is not enough to tell children about being a tree. Kids need to practice the behavior in a low-stress environment to have the best chance of recalling the behavior in real-life conditions, particularly if a dog threatens them.

A fun way to emphasize the safety details of the "Be a Tree" behavior is to play the Doggone Crazy! board game. Another way to practice is to engage in role-playing games where players take turns pretending to be a dog. While one player is the dog, other players practice being trees when the dog comes near them. It is also possible to practice "Be a Tree" steps with a stuffed dog.

Caring for a Puppy’s Adult Teeth

Once your dog has all of his adult teeth, you want to ensure that they stay pearly white. Begin a healthy-teeth routine by getting your puppy used to having his mouth and teeth touched at an early age.

You can purchase a dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste (an enzymatic product is recommended as it works both mechanically and chemically to remove plaque). Do not use human toothpaste because it can include ingredients like xylitol that are toxic or even deadly to dogs.

Also keep in mind that even though they are no longer teething, adult dogs still like to chew. So continue to give your dog chew toys and edibles that will satisfy this natural instinct and can help keep teeth clean, too.

Good luck with your new puppy, and enjoy guiding him through this important time. Before long, the memories of your pup as a nipping, chewing little monster will be something you look back on fondly. Remember, it takes time and patience to train a puppy not to bite, but with consistent positive reinforcement and redirecting, your puppy will learn what behavior is acceptable.

Teething and nipping are natural phases in a Stokeshire Doodle puppy's life. With empathy, consistency, and the right approach, you'll forge a deeper bond with your puppy and lay the foundation for a well-behaved companion. Armed with this survival guide, you're equipped to navigate through teething and nipping challenges with confidence. Remember, it's all part of the journey towards a loving and harmonious relationship with your Stokeshire Doodle pup.