Most puppy owners look forward to the day when the last razor sharp puppy tooth has been shed. German shepherd owners are no different. Because they are a large breed, German shepherds are big, even as puppies; and so are their mouths and puppy teeth. Accidental nips during playtime, intentional mouthing of your hands and the destruction of household objects make puppy teething worse than baby teething for many parents.
German Shepherds
Created in Germany in 1899 by Captain Max von Stephanitz, the German shepherd was first used as a farm dog. Now the breed is most recognized for its work as a police, guard and military dog. But this hard-working dog is also a fantastic family pet. The American Kennel Club describes the German shepherd as a loyal family pet and a good guard dog, the ideal choice for many families.
Puppy Teeth
It is hard to tell for sure when your puppy starts loosing its 28 baby teeth. A puppy's baby teeth, or milk teeth, come in at four weeks of age and commonly start to fall out between weeks 14 and 30, to make room for the 42 large adult teeth that will grow in their place.
Teething Symptoms
You might not find a puppy tooth lying around, but there are more obvious signs that your puppy is teething. A teething puppy may eat less than usual and chew on toys and other objects more than normal. You might also notice small amounts of blood on your dog's toys and in areas where you dog chews and plays.
Oral Care
Even though your puppy will shed its baby teeth, it is important to start caring for your dog's teeth as early as possible to get it used to the procedure. Start by lifting your puppy's lips and rubbing its gums and teeth. Do this often to help your puppy get used to having someone's hands in its mouth. You may also use a dog toothbrush with a dab of peanut butter or cheese on the bristles to help the puppy enjoy getting its teeth brushed. Do not use human toothpaste to brush your dog's teeth.
Supply your dog with plenty of rubber and rawhide bones for it to chew. Chewing on dog bones helps a puppy ease teething discomfort, clean its new teeth and distract it from chewing on furniture and other household objects.
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