Modern Beagle Team – Page 23

So you’ve added a new beagle puppy to your family, congratulations! As you are aware, taking care of puppies can be a lot of work. Like any babies, these mischievous little rascals require a high amount of supervision as they make their way to adulthood. The first few years of their life will define their relationship with you for the remainder, so setting them up for success now is very important! Puppies are born without teeth, and as they grow and start to get a set of pearly whites, they will begin to teeth. If you don’t do anything to mitigate a teething beagle puppy, not only will you end up with a lot of ruined belongings, but your poor beagle is in for several months of pain and discomfort. Let’s talk about the stages of teething, how to protect your puppy and home while they are teething, and how to keep those new teeth clean. Age Timeline for Beagle Puppy Teething 4 to 8 weeks Your beagle puppy will grow a set of baby teeth during this timeline. These little teeth are meant to help chew food, and because their jaws aren’t as strong, the teeth are extra sharp. Playful nips from your puppy can be very painful during this period. But it’s only a phase, and it’s up to you to let your puppy know that biting hurts. This can be done by being overly dramatic when they nip you, be sure to give them praise when they stop themselves from biting! 3 to 4 months As your puppy grows they will start to lose their baby teeth to make room for a nice set of adult ones. These little baby teeth are usually swallowed, but occasionally you might find one around the house, don’t be alarmed. This is very normal at this stage! This is also when teething officially begins. As the permanent teeth start to come in, your puppy’s mouth is going to hurt. The incisors will sprout first, followed by the canines, then the molars. During the teething phase, you’ll start to notice your puppy beagle more aggressively chewing on anything it can find. Introducing chewing toys at this stage is the best decision you can make to save your furniture. 6 months Your puppy’s baby teeth should be completely gone by now! If you notice they are still hanging onto a few, take them into the vet to get them checked out. If their adult teeth start to grow in over their baby teeth, their mouth alignment could be severely damaged. It’s best to keep an eye on the situation and address it before it becomes a problem. 7 to 9 months Your beagle should have all their permanent teeth at this point! They will continue to chew things, but hopefully you have taken the teething period to teach them what to chew, and what not to chew. In this next section we will discuss how to help your puppy feel comfortable while they are teething. How to Help Your Beagle Get Through the Teething Phase Teething is an uncomfortable time for baby animals. Your beagle puppy is going to feel the need to chew on things constantly to provide some relief for their sore mouth. It is up to you to make sure they are chewing on things that will build good habits, not bad ones. Here are a few suggestions to help get your puppy through this time. Ice Cubes Giving your puppy ice cubes to chew on is a great way to entertain them, and sooth their mouth. They will love chasing them across the floor just as much as the feeling of relief they will get as they eat the cube. You can also freeze chicken broth to entice them to eat the ice cubes if they seem disinterested at first. Carrots This method is a combination of the ice cube and the chew toy method. Take a large raw carrot and put it in the fridge. Once it is nice and cold give it to your puppy. Not only will it cause relief for their teeth, but they will get some nutrients from it at the same time! Win Win! Teething Chew Toys Finally, this method is a classic, and very important for building good habits in the future. Teaching your puppy to chew on toys, and not your shoes will help them learn what is acceptable and not acceptable. Taking the time to do this right will save you time and money down the line. Get a variety of toys to maintain your puppy’s interest. Make sure they are durable, have ridges to get in those nooks and crannies, and don’t have pieces that will become a choking hazard. How to Protect Your Home From Teething Puppies It is inevitable that your puppy is going to chew on things you’d rather they didn’t. The worst thing you can do with this happens to be physically aggressive towards them, they will just be scared and confused, wondering what they did to upset you. As you puppy proof your home, try to employ these two strategies to minimize damage to your personal belongings while also keeping your puppy safe. Think Like Your Puppy This step seems kind of silly, but it will help you decide what you should, and shouldn’t be leaving out in the reach of your puppy. Does something look like it would be fun or interesting to chew? If you can think of any reason a puppy might want to chew something, it is worthwhile to find a new confined place to store that item. This is especially important for things like cords, electronics, and cleaning supplies that could hurt your puppy. Err on the side of making things hard to get to. I can promise you you’re apartment or house will look much more tidy after this stage as an added bonus! Crate Training If you aren’t confident your puppy will be on its best behavior while you are gone, it is best to crate train them Make sure they have access to food, water, a nice place to nap, and a few different toys. This will establish a place for your puppy to go, and give you peace of mind while you are away. I got rid of my dog’s crate years ago, but she still chooses to sleep on the doggy bed where it was every night! Teeth Cleaning Tips for Beagle Puppies After your puppy’s permanent teeth are all grown in, it is important for you to help them take care of them. Lodged food and plaque build up can lead to severe tooth problems for dogs down the line. Not only will they develop some seriously bad breath, but you will have to foot the bill when they need teeth removed. Before it reaches that point, however, there are a few things you can do to keep your beagle 's teeth sparkly and clean. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth As fun as this sounds, brushing your dog’s teeth is extremely important. When they are young you can start out by using a finger brush to get them used to you touching their mouth. As they get older you will be able to advance to a real toothbrush. Don’t use your toothpaste on your furry friend though. The toothpaste we use to clean our teeth has chemicals that can be harmful to your dog. You can either purchase special dog toothpaste, or use a paste made from baking soda and water. Special Food You can also buy food and treats for your dog that will help clean their teeth while they eat, two birds with one stone, right? Your vet can recommend products that will reduce tooth plaque, or just look for brands at the store that have approval from the Veterinary Oral Health Council. These products are made specifically for removing plaque, and usually contain ingredients to make their breath less smelly too. Chew Toys Not only do chew toys help your puppy get through teething, but they can help keep their teeth clean too! The act of chewing on a non food item will help scrape off plaque and dislodge any food that could be stuck between their teeth. Make sure their toys are textured for the maximum benefit. Final Thoughts Teething is a rough time for both you and your puppy, but there are steps you can take to ease their pain, and your frustration during this process. By following the advice above, you will set your puppy up for success on its road to adulthood. While it may feel like a lot of time and effort, remember that you have made a commitment to caring for this puppy for its whole life. Having a dog is a wonderful experience, just like having any pet. And the joy of watching your pet grow into an adult before your very eyes is so special! The time and effort you put into training your puppy up front will only help build a stronger bond between the two of you once they are older. Teething doesn't last forever, and the joy of having a new furry friend in your home far out ways any cons.