Golden Retriever Teething: Timeline, Signs and What Actually Helps

Teething is when your golden puppy swaps baby teeth for adult ones, and it explains a lot: the chewed shoes, the nipping, the drool on the sofa. Understanding the timeline helps you know what is normal and how to help your puppy through it.

Timeline

Age	What is happening
Birth to 2 weeks	No teeth yet
2 to 8 weeks	28 baby (deciduous) teeth come in
8 to 12 weeks	Needle-sharp baby teeth, lots of mouthing
3 to 4 months	Baby teeth start to loosen and fall out, incisors first
4 to 6 months	Canines and premolars change, chewing peaks, gums can be sore
6 to 7 months	Most or all of the 42 adult teeth are in

The AKC’s golden retriever timeline notes that mouthiness is “exacerbated by teething” in the first months and that teething usually finishes around six months. Individual puppies vary by a few weeks either way.

Signs your puppy is teething

• Chewing everything in sight
• Red, swollen or slightly bleeding gums
• Drooling more than usual
• Small spots of blood on toys
• Picky eating or chewing hard food more slowly
• Whining or restlessness
• Mild bad breath

Missing a tooth now and then is normal. You may find small teeth on the floor, or never see them, as puppies swallow them.

How to help

1. Offer lots of safe chews. Rubber toys, stuffed frozen rubber toys and soft rope toys can be great. See our guide to the best teething toys for golden retriever puppies.
2. Rotate toys. Hide some and bring them back later so they feel new.
3. Freeze it. A frozen stuffed toy or a wet, frozen washcloth soothes gums. Supervise.
4. Redirect biting. When teeth touch you, offer a toy and praise. See puppy biting.
5. Puppy-proof. Pick up shoes and cords, spray or block furniture legs and use gates to limit access.
6. Keep up gentle handling. Touch their lips and gums daily so they are used to mouth checks and brushing.

Chews to be careful with

Hard chews are a leading cause of broken teeth in dogs. A common test used by veterinary dentists is that if you would not want to be hit on the knee with it, do not give it to your dog. That rules out real bones, antlers and hard nylon. Rawhide can be a choking and blockage risk for some dogs. The Veterinary Oral Health Council lists products that have met its standards for plaque and tartar control, which is a helpful starting point for dental chews once your puppy is older. Ask your vet before introducing new chews to a puppy.

Start dental care early

Puppies who get used to having their teeth touched make future dental care easier. Start with a finger or a soft cloth, then a puppy toothbrush and dog toothpaste (never human toothpaste). The AAHA dental care guidelines emphasize regular home care and professional dental checks. Read our guide to dental care products for golden retrievers.

Retained baby teeth

If you see two teeth in the same spot, usually a baby canine next to a new adult canine, call your vet. Retained teeth can crowd the adult teeth and trap food, and they may need to be removed. Your vet can check at the six-month visit.

When to call the vet

• Bleeding that does not stop, or a broken tooth
• Swollen face or pus around a tooth
• Refusing food for more than a day
• Persistent bad breath, or any sign of pain when chewing
• A baby tooth that has not fallen out by around seven months

Teething ends. In the meantime, keep your patience, a stash of chew toys and a good sense of humor.