If your puppy is biting more and chewing everything around month four, teething is often part of the reason. It passes. What you teach during it stays.
What is happening
The AKC says puppies start losing baby teeth around the time they come home, and you may find rice-sized teeth around the house. By about six months, the puppy teeth have usually fallen out and the adult teeth have come in. Adult dogs have about 42 teeth. The AKC notes this process is painful. For more on this, see Puppy Biting: What Helps.
What you can do
Give your puppy things that are legal to chew: safe chew toys, and food games. Put a toy within reach in each room. When the mouth opens toward skin, give the toy first. Praise the swap. If teeth meet skin, calmly stop the fun and end the play for a moment.
Sleep is part of the plan
An overtired puppy bites more. Make sure your puppy gets naps in a quiet place, away from kids and noise.
What to avoid
Do not punish your puppy for chewing. Do not give items that can break teeth or splinter. Ask your vet what chews are safe for your puppy's size and age.
See your vet if
Teeth are not coming out as expected, adult teeth come in beside baby teeth, or your puppy will not eat. Your vet can check the mouth.
Get the right help
If the biting is hard, frightening, or does not ease as the months pass, ask a qualified reward-based trainer or your vet.
This article is general education, not veterinary advice. If your dog seems unwell, is in pain, or something changed suddenly, call your vet. If it could be an emergency, do not wait.
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Sources & care notes
Frequently asked questions
What is normal?
Puppies start losing baby teeth around the time they come home, and you may find rice-sized teeth around the house. By about six months the adult teeth are usually in.
What can they chew?
Safe chew toys and food games, with a toy within reach in each room. When the mouth opens toward skin, give the toy first and praise the swap.
Does sleep matter?
A lot. An overtired puppy bites more, so make sure naps happen in a quiet place away from kids and noise.
When do we see the vet?
If a tooth looks stuck, gums bleed heavily, or chewing seems painful rather than busy.
