Puppy Teething: What Happens and When

A puppy who starts chewing harder or nipping more can leave a first-time owner wondering what changed. Teething may contribute, but so can play, tiredness, frustration, fear or pain. Look at the whole situation rather than automatically dismissing a new behaviour as the timetable arriving.

The numbers behind the chaos

VCA describes 28 deciduous teeth and up to 42 permanent teeth. Adult molars add teeth rather than each replacing a baby tooth. Your vet can check eruption and bite development; a count made while struggling with a puppy is not a useful reason to force its mouth open.

Baby teeth commonly start being replaced at around 12 weeks, with the adult set generally present by about six months. These are approximate developmental guides, not a deadline every puppy meets or proof that a change in behaviour has no other cause.

Why the biting spikes, and what it is not

Chewing is a normal puppy behaviour and may help during teething, but its context still matters. Use suitable outlets and reward-based teaching rather than punishment. A sudden change, pain or distress needs attention rather than a label of defiance.

A puppy biting a hand is not evidence that it is trying to take charge of the household. Consider play, fatigue, handling discomfort and the situation immediately before the bite. If you are unsure, a qualified reward-based professional and your vet can help identify what is driving it.

Provide acceptable things to chew and calmly manage access to household objects. Your choices can influence chewing opportunities and behaviour; it is not true that the puppy will chew exactly the same amount whatever you do. If chewing appears frantic, painful or linked to being left alone, ask for help with that pattern.

Chewing in a flat, specifically

In a flat, look first at what is within reach: charging cables, footwear, cleaning products, loose fabric and furniture edges. Use practical barriers and safe storage while the puppy learns. A command is not reliable protection from an accessible live cable.

Offer a small selection of suitable toys and rotate them if that helps maintain interest. Four or five items with two out at a time can be a household example, not an evidence-based formula that must outperform every other arrangement. Remove anything damaged or easy for this puppy to break apart.

Humidity is worth a thought too. Fabric and rope chews that stay damp after a session do not dry quickly in a Singapore flat, and a chew that lives permanently slightly wet is a chew that starts to smell and grows things. Rinse and dry the fabric items properly between rotations, or keep the rotation to materials that tolerate the climate better.

Supervision reduces risk but does not make every chew safe. AAHA warns about choking, swallowed pieces and tooth fractures, including from very hard objects such as bones or antlers. Ask your vet about a suitable texture and size for this puppy. Retire worn toys before pieces can be swallowed; a product labelled “indestructible” is not a guarantee.

The bit that runs longer than you expect

Chewing can continue after the adult teeth appear. VCA notes that excessive chewing often reduces around 18 months, but this is not a guaranteed date when biting stops. Biting and chewing have several functions, so reward-based teaching and suitable outlets still matter.

Restore access to rooms according to the puppy’s demonstrated behaviour and safety needs, not just its age. A quiet week does not prove it can be left with loose cables or destructible items. Equally, an online timeline should not become a reason for prolonged confinement without appropriate activity and care.

What to raise with your vet

If an adult tooth is erupting beside a retained baby tooth, arrange a veterinary appointment as soon as possible. VCA advises prompt assessment and generally not waiting until a later neutering appointment. Do not pull it yourself. Persistent bleeding, a fractured tooth, obvious pain or difficulty eating also warrants prompt advice.

AVS publishes general guidance on caring for a pet in Singapore, and it is worth pairing a teething check with the licensing admin. AVS licenses dogs and sets the licensing requirements, and HDB sets and maintains the rules for keeping pets in a flat. Both are easier to handle in the same fortnight than to remember separately.

The handling window nobody uses

Build gentle handling in small steps when the puppy is comfortable: approach, briefly lift a lip if tolerated, reward and stop. Do not force a sore mouth open or keep practising through distress. Ask the clinic to demonstrate an approach that works for your puppy.

Early positive handling can support later dental care, but it cannot guarantee a painless examination without sedation. Some procedures appropriately require anaesthesia, and brushing an inflamed mouth can hurt. Ask when and how to introduce a toothbrush and use pet-appropriate products.

What to do this week

For this week, make reachable hazards inaccessible, choose a few appropriate chews with your vet’s guidance and supervise their use. Note whether biting occurs during play, fatigue, handling or separation. Seek advice for pain or persistent teeth rather than assuming every problem belongs to teething. The aim is a comfortable puppy learning useful habits, not simply waiting for a birthday.

Frequently asked questions

How many teeth does a puppy have?

The usual baby set has 28 teeth, with up to 42 permanent teeth. Adult molars add to the count rather than replacing baby teeth.

When are puppy teeth replaced?

Replacement commonly begins around 12 weeks, with the adult set generally present by about six months. Your vet can check individual development.

Will all biting stop at 18 months?

No. Chewing may reduce with maturity, but biting has several causes and does not follow a guaranteed deadline.

Does supervision make a hard chew safe?

No. Supervision cannot prevent every tooth fracture or swallowed piece. Choose suitable size and texture, and remove damaged items.

Can a retained baby tooth wait until neutering?

Ask your vet as soon as an adult tooth is erupting beside it. Prompt assessment is recommended; do not assume it can wait or try to pull it yourself.

Will handling practice prevent any need for sedation?

No. Positive practice can help cooperation, but painful examinations or dental procedures may still require appropriate sedation or anaesthesia.

Sources and editorial review

VCA: teeth, teething and chewing; VCA: prompt assessment of persistent teeth; AAHA: chew hazards and selection; AAHA: home oral care and painful gums; AAHA: supervised puppy interactions. Editorial source review: 12 September 2026.