Puppy Question

[animalmom]

Last week we adopted two german shepherd puppies, both female. DOB 3/28/23. They are adorable to say the least and are going through the normal puppy antics. They have, mostly, learned their names and "down". We are working on just those two things right now.

The question is how long are they going to be teething? We are jokingly calling the the Piranha sisters. We are yipping at them when they bite, and we understand that this too shall pass... just how quickly is that?

Pictures if I can find the camera.

Thanks!

 

[Baymule]

Puppy teeth last about 6 months, then replaced by grown up teeth.
Congratulations on the puppies!

 

[SageHill]

Last week we adopted two german shepherd puppies, both female. DOB 3/28/23. They are adorable to say the least and are going through the normal puppy antics. They have, mostly, learned their names and "down". We are working on just those two things right now.

The question is how long are they going to be teething? We are jokingly calling the the Piranha sisters. We are yipping at them when they bite, and we understand that this too shall pass... just how quickly is that?

Pictures if I can find the camera.

Thanks

They should be getting their adult teeth at about 6 mos. Typically they should have them all by then. Yeah - those razor sharp shark teeth are no fun.
OHHHH and two puppies at once --- ohhhhhhh. Double the fun, double the cuteness and four times the work. I speak from first hand experience (Belgian Laekenois) --- while I love the dogs (now 1 1/2 yrs) I don't think I'll do that again.

 

[Britgoes2market]

How exciting! Do share photos! We have always had German Shepherds. My main squeeze is getting up there in age and plan on bringing another one in soon.

 

[canesisters]

CONGRATS on the new babies!!!!! A whirlwind of adorable chaos!

 

[Ridgetop]

You did not say how old they are. Check their mouths and see if permanent teeth are coming in which can happen sometime around 4 months. Early puppy chewing is just puppies investigating with their mouths. All animals use their mouths to investigate stuff. Later puppy chewing at/after 6 months is super destructive - train them not to use their teeth on ANYTHING except their own toys.

Using their teeth on YOU is FORBIDDEN. Discipline them when they nip at you. You don't have to hit them, just hold their muzzles closed and scold them. Shaking them is also a good disciplinary measure (if you can pick them up). Their nipping and mouthing is cute now but later you need them to understand that their teeth are not used on people (particularly family).

I found that removing everything from floor level and scattering a LOT of puppy/dog chews around the floor made training easier. Use pig ears, bully sticks, etc. all in large/xlg sizes or you will be spending $$$ replacing them too often. You still have to watch them, but the chances of them grabbing something forbidden is lessened.

 

[animalmom]

Thank you everyone! The girls are already doing much better keeping their mouths to themselves. I think they will be great dogs.

 

[SageHill]

I found that removing everything from floor level and scattering a LOT of puppy/dog chews around the floor made training easier.

So very true! LOL puppies are a way to keep the house picked up!

 

[Ridgetop]

Early training is the key. Older training books used to say "At 4 months your puppy is ready for obedience" BUT by then they may have already picked up some bad habits. Training as soon as you bring them home, or they are out f the whelping bx is the best time. The earlier the better in my opinion. The younger they are the more they see training as fun and games and will want to please. A well-trained dog is a delight to have around.
Your girls sound like they will be excellent family members.

 

[SageHill]

Early training - yes and HUGE yes. When I have litters it starts in the whelping box at 2 weeks. Seriously - a tiny bit goes a long way - Example:
with my second litter (eons ago) I was sitting in the whelping box with them. I'd pick a pup up, put them in a sitting position and say sit. I did this like 3 times a day for 2-3 days. At that point I thought - what the heck am I doing, pups don't learn this early. So I stopped doing it. - note I never asked them to sit, just paired the word with the position.
Fast forward about 2 weeks - I have them outside and am going to put their feed pan down. They are all jumping like crazy to get to the pan. I'm thinking someone is going to get hurt flipping over - and automatically say "SIT" - to my astonishment 5 little puppy butts hit the ground. So, yeah - early training for sure.