When Do Golden Retrievers Lose Their Baby Teeth?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “When Do Golden Retrievers Lose Their Baby Teeth?“.

The constant chewing of your puppy is driving you crazy? As you probably know its normal for a puppy to chew on something while teething including your new leather shoes.

I have good news but also some not very good news since golden retrievers are bred to chew and the only thing you can do is teach them to chew on something else.

We explain what you need to know about baby teeth what to expect and what to do about your dogs annoying habit.

When do golden retrievers’ adult teeth come out?

Golden retrievers have pointy little teeth that seem razor-sharp when your pet playfully bites at your ankle. Thats just his way of grabbing your attention. Hes not mean or aggressive.

Dogs are born toothless and they get 28 baby teeth between 3-5 weeks of age. The reason their teeth are so sharp is that they are carnivorous animals and need to be able to tear meat which isnot really relevant at a stage when puppies normally rely on their mothers milk. According to another theory puppy teeth remain sharp because they do not eat solid foods to wear them down.

You’ll probably have to learn to live with this problem until your dog turns four months old when his baby teeth are replaced by adult teeth. Each dog is different so thats just the average. Generally speaking a golden retriever will lose all his baby teeth between the ages of four and six months and they will be replaced by 42 adult teeth. 

Do golden retriever puppies chewing swallow their baby teeth?

If you find a white tooth on the floor one day you’ll know that your pup is growing up and changing his teeth. 

Alternatively do not worry if you do not find any teeth around the house. It is common for dogs to swallow their baby teeth when they are eating and this is not harmful to them. 

As with young children you should not expect to find a tooth gap in your dogs mouth. 

Usually the permanent teeth grow right behind the baby teeth but sometimes the adult teeth push out the baby teeth. When a baby tooth is lost a permanent one will immediately take its place and you would not even realize it has happened. 

In any case the first teeth to be replaced are the front teeth – the six incisors located between the teeth called canines top and bottom.

However that is not all as the large molar teeth at the back of the dogs mouth will also appear during this stage causing the poor creature much pain. The dog will then chew even more in an attempt to relieve the teething pain.

Tip: Make sure your dogs mouth is clean at this stage. Occasionally an adult tooth grows behind a puppy tooth but the latter refuses to move. You may need to see a veterinarian.

What dogs chew the most?

It is common for dogs to chew during their teething period. However some breeds will continue chewing even after they are no longer teething.

The Golden Retriever is up there in the Big Chewers’ Hall of Fame. There are also several breeds of dogs that love to gnaw on just about anything they can get their paws on including labradors chihuahuas bulldogs Jack Russell terriers border collies and beagles.

Why do golden retrievers like to chew?

Different dogs have different reasons for nibbling or even destroying things in the house. Little chihuahuas do it because they’re easily bored beagles do it because they love to eat and will try almost anything and bulldogs need something to chew on in order to relieve separation anxiety when their owners are away.

Golden retrievers chew because they feel the need to have something in their mouths. Because they are retrievers they were bred to retrieve the birds their owners shot. You might say its in their genes!

How do you stop destructive chewing?

What is the best age for a puppy to stop chewing? Typically when a breed stops teething at six months the answer is six months. Golden retrievers are not affected by this policy so you’ll have to deal with it. The sooner you deal with this the better!

The answer to the question of whether to punish a puppy for chewing is no!

Firstly you have to realize the puppy has a problem hes experiencing teething pains and this is his method of relieving them. You wouldnot punish a baby who cries all night because hes teething would you?

Puppy punishments may alter your dogs behavior in the long run if you punish him for chewing. He will consider such punishment as completely unjustified and to be honest he has no idea that he just ruined a pair of $100 shoes. 

It can play out in two different ways – the dog may become aggressive and vengeful after being wronged or it may be cowed into submission becoming an unnaturally obedient animal. 

Four ways to get your Golden Retriever to stop chewing

The best way to handle this problem is to train your dog just as you would when they bark excessively. You should start early and be consistent.

Make a loud noise

If you find your dog gnawing on your slippers or destroying the legs of your furniture you should make a loud noise such as clapping your hands or blowing a whistle to get his attention.

Use a commanding voice

Yelling at the dog would not make things better even if you ruined your best pair of shoes. When you show anger you also reveal your vulnerability. The dog will learn that chewing your shoes is a great way to punish you if hes upset! 

You need to reassert your position when training a dog and you can only do so by using a commanding voice. Make sure the dog knows whos in charge by being firm!

More exercise

There are times when dogs chew because they have too much energy and just have to release it. Bring your dog on longer walks take him to the park or play fetch with him. With golden retrievers it is particularly helpful since that is what they were bred to do.

Redirect the dog’s attention

You can give your dog a chewing toy to distract him from those tasty shoes. As a matter of fact you should do this from the very beginning as toys might keep them from your more valuable items. 

Keep calm when you see your dog chewing your stuff. Offer him a dog toy and take away your shoes with a gentle gesture. Until your dog understands that chewing on your stuff is not okay you will need to do this several times. Chew toys are hardly more expensive than your wifes new stilettos – so be generous with your puppy!

Dog proof your house

To prevent unfortunate accidents when getting a new puppy you should dog-proof your house and place valuable items out of reach. 

• During your absence you should keep your pet in a small room if you’re not sure you can trust him. 
• Crates may work for puppies but they are not suitable for older dogs. Cages are not meant for dogs!
• Keep your dog occupied while you are away by providing him with special dog toys.
• Old shoes or other household items should never be offered to your dog to chew on. They cannot tell the difference between a good pair of shoes and something you no longer need.

Use aversion sprays

One way to prevent your dog from chewing on things around the house is to spray forbidden objects with a deterrent spray like bitter apple or bitter cherry. Apply some bitter taste to a piece of cloth and rub it on the dogs nuzzle to introduce the dog to the taste. Give the dog water to wash away the taste after he has spit drooled and drooled. If your pet associates the smell of the aversion spray with the unpleasant taste he will avoid touching anything that is sprayed with it. 

This method can be used throughout the teething process. You might be lucky enough to watch your golden retriever forget he ever chewed on your shoes if you provide him with a good supply of chew toys. 

Conclusion

Most golden retrievers lose their baby teeth between 4 and 6 months of age but some may take longer. 

Puppy teething pain is one of the leading reasons they chew anything that catches their attention. 

Golden retrievers are known for their love of chewing and they will do so throughout their lives. You should not try to discourage them from chewing entirely since its a natural and healthy habit.

The best way to teach your dog what he can chew and what he cannot is by using a good strategy. If you train your pet early chances are that he will understand the general concept and will leave your stuff alone if he sticks to his toys. Happy training! 

If you want to read more about dog breeds read here: Dog Breeds Updates.

When Do Golden Retrievers Lose Their Baby Teeth? (Watch Video)