Do you have a new dachshund puppy and want to know when he’ll start teething? Perhaps he’s chewing on things around the home and you think his teeth might be coming through? We’re here to answer all your questions about dachshunds and teething.
When do dachshunds start teething? Your dachshund will grow his first milk teeth at about 3 weeks. By 8 weeks, he’ll have 28 milk teeth. He’ll start losing these immediately and, by the time he’s 8 months old, he’ll have a full set of 42 adult teeth.
If your dachshund is teething, read on to find out what you can do to stop him chewing on your favourite shoes, how to protect your home, how to keep his teeth healthy and how to help him through.
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When do dachshunds stop teething?
Dachshunds start teething at around 3 weeks old and get all their adult teeth by 8 months old. During this time, your dachshund may chew and dribble at lot and his gums may look sore (red and swollen). He may have difficulty eating, or make more of a fuss than usual.
It’s quite a long process for a dachshund pup and they’ll need you on hand to make it easier and less painful for them. These are the key stages:
2 to 3 weeks old
Your dachshund will start growing his milk teeth (he’ll grow 28 in total).
8 weeks old
Your dachshund will start losing his milk teeth (yes, it’s that quick!).
12 to 16 weeks old
Your dachshund’s adult teeth will start pushing their way through (the worst bit).
8 months old
Your dachshund will have a full set of 42 grown-up pearly whites.
What happens when my dachshund is teething?
This is what you need to be aware of when your dachshund is teething:
- Baby teeth around house
- Blood on toys
- Baby teeth not falling out
- Sharp teeth
- Sore teeth
This is what you need to know:
Baby teeth around house
You’ll probably find your dachshund’s baby teeth around the house. This is completely normal. As they get loose, they get itchy (remember the feeling when you were a kid?), so your dachshund will probably knock the tooth out by rubbing his face against a cushion or something.
Blood on toys
You might find spots of blood on your dachshund’s chew toys. Again, don’t worry – this is standard teething stuff.
Baby teeth not falling out
Some of your dachshund’s baby teeth might get stuck. This isn’t good as it means the adult teeth can’t get through, or they grow alongside the baby one like a ‘double tooth’. Check your dachshund’s mouth regularly to make sure there aren’t any stuck teeth, and take him to the vet if you find any.
Sharp teeth
Your dachshund won’t realise how razor-sharp his new teeth are, so you’ll need to let him know nipping or play biting is not ok. The best way to do this is to show him it hurts. Say ‘Ow!’ loudly each time he does it and praise him for being gentle.
Sore teeth
Don’t bother trying to brush your dachshund’s teeth while he’s teething. It’s completely the wrong time. He’ll forever hate having his teeth brushed if you introduce it while he’s teething, as he’ll always associate it with pain. To clean his new teeth, just let him lick some doggy toothpaste from your finger or get some of those chewy dental sticks.
What do I do when my dachshund is teething?
While your dachshund is teething, his little mouth will be sore and he won’t know what to do about it. Give him chew toys and frozen treats (like doggy ice cream or chilled carrots) to soothe and relieve the pain.
Your dachshund may need your support while he’s teething, so don’t tell him off for chewing – he’s only doing it because his mouth hurts. This is what he needs from you:
Give your dachshund chew toys
Stock up with some things your dachshund can chew on. Rope chews are great, as you don’t have to worry about him breaking them. Rubber dental rings are also good, although you need to watch him carefully with these.
Don’t give him anything of yours like a pair of old socks or blanket as this’ll confuse him and he’ll think he has permission to chew on your things in future. There has to be a clear divide between HIS things and YOUR things so he learns what’s his and what’s not!
Give your dachshund something cold and icy
Ice is incredibly soothing for a sore mouth, and your dachshund will love gnawing on frozen goodies. Frozen or chilled carrots are a firm favourite, and you can even get doggy ice cream, which is perfect for teething pups. If you don’t have anything like that, ice cubes are also effective, but just be careful he doesn’t crunch down on them and crack a tooth or try to swallow them whole!
How do I stop my dachshund chewing my things?
To stop your dachshund chewing on your things when he’s teething, keep your clothes and items stored away, and use bitter apple spray to make the furniture taste bad!
It’s all well and good talking about how painful teething can be for your pup, but what about your furniture and clothes? You don’t want them turning them into his new chew toys! The thing is, when your dachshund starts teething, he’ll chew on anything and everything to relieve the pain. And if that’s your favourite pair of trainers, so be it.
But don’t worry – you can puppy-proof your home to stop him chomping on your table legs or new handbag. Here’s what you need to do:
Get tidying
Put away anything you don’t want your dachshund to touch and keep things up high where he can’t get to them. Keep your clothes, shoes and handbags shut away in your wardrobe. Tuck any cords away, and move any special pieces of furniture into another room until he’s got through the teething stage.
Use bitter apple spray
Spray bitter apple spray on anything you don’t want you dachshund to chew, like table legs and corners of cabinets. It’s safe for puppies to lick – it just tastes horrible. You should obviously do a test on your furniture first to make sure it doesn’t mark or damage it.
Keep your dachshund on a light lead
If your dachshund puppy is crate-trained, you could pop him on a light lead when he’s out of his crate. This way, you can make sure he doesn’t chew on things he’s not allowed to.
Do puppy training
Starting puppy training when your dachshund is young is the best thing you can do. All you need to do is reward good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Be consistent and in time he’ll learn what’s his and what’s not.
Distract your dachshund
If your dachshund has the urge to chew, distract him and keep him entertained with one of his chew toys, so he doesn’t feel the need to destroy any of your things! You could also take him for a walk or play outside in the garden to take his mind off things.
How do I keep my dachshund’s teeth healthy?
To keep your dachshund’s teeth healthy, brush them at least once a week, and check his mouth regularly for sore gums, tartar or cracked teeth. Bad dental hygiene can quickly turn into gum disease or tooth decay.
Once your dachshund’s adult teeth have come through and he’s not sore anymore, you’ll need to keep on top of his dental hygiene. Check his mouth regularly to spot any issues with his teeth or gums.
Look for things like bleeding, inflammation or swelling of the gums, and make sure he doesn’t have any broken, loose or cracked teeth, or teeth with tartar (a build-up of yellow or brown) on them. And get up close to check for bad breath (it really is the best way!).
Take him to the vet for regular check-ups, as they’ll spot any issues with your dachshund’s teeth and get them sorted before they turn into anything worse.
If you can, you should brush your dachshund’s teeth too. Probably about once a week is enough. You’ll need to train your dachshund to let you do it, but that’s easy enough.
How do I brush my dachshund’s teeth?
Start by letting your dachshund lick toothpaste off your finger. Then gently touch his teeth with your finger. Next, let him lick or sniff a blob of toothpaste on a toothbrush. Then get him used to the toothbrush in his mouth until he lets you brush his teeth. Reward him.
Get a nice, stinky doggy toothpaste he will love. Liver flavours are always popular with dachshunds!
So, if you think your dachshund is teething, it’s over to you to help him through it. Don’t worry about it too much, it’s all perfectly natural. And with plenty of soothing icy carrot treats, he’ll be showing off those pearly whites in no time!
