Teething is a challenging time for all Yorkshire Terrier puppies. It’s a necessary phase that can’t be skipped.
Luckily, there are numerous methods to make this process easier for your Yorkie puppy, and of course, your hands!
This article will address all your queries about the teething stage. Let’s dive into it!
When Do Yorkies Start Teething?
Teething starts at around 3 weeks when your Yorkie puppy’s baby teeth begin to come in.
This new sensation will lead your puppy to start chewing and using his mouth more.
At this stage, your Yorkie puppy will still be with the breeder. But by the time they get to you, they should have their full set of baby (decidious) teeth ready to start chewing away at your fingers! Joke!
We’ll run through tips on redirecting chewing below! (this will be crucial)
When Do Yorkies Stop teething?
Yorkies usually finish teething around the 7-month mark when they have their complete set of adult teeth. However, this doesn’t mean they will suddenly stop chewing.
Most Yorkies will adhere to the 7 month mark, but for some they might go a little longer at take upto 8 months.
If your Yorkie goes over 8 months, it’s advised to take them to the vet just as a precaution.
Yorkshire Terrier Puppy Teething Timeline
Let’s run through a full teething timeline below:
3 Weeks:
Your puppy’s baby teeth will start to come in at around 3 weeks of age. Your puppy will still be with his breeder at this point.
6 Weeks:
By 6 weeks old, most baby teeth will have come in, and your puppy will undoubtedly be using his new teeth to chew and explore his biting strength.
12 Weeks:
At this point, the baby teeth will start falling out to make room for the adult teeth. The first baby teeth to fall out are usually the incisors. Your puppy will be actively trying to chew to alleviate the discomfort caused by his tender and swollen gums.
4 Months:
Around 4 months, the adult canines and premolars will begin to come in.
6 Months:
By now, your puppy will start developing his adult molars, and more of his teeth will be coming in. You should expect a lot of chewing and irritation.
7 Months:
Around 7 months, most Yorkies will have their full set of 42 adult teeth. At this point, it’s recommended to schedule a dental check-up with your veterinarian to ensure all teeth are present and healthy.
This timeline applies to most puppies, but there will be exceptions. Some puppies may take a little longer to get their full set, and in rare cases, teething may be finished as early as 6 months.
If your puppy is still getting teeth at 7 months, it’s time to visit your vet for a check-up. In some cases, your vet may need to help with the remaining teeth.
How Many Teeth Do Yorkies Have?
Yorkies puppies have 28 baby teeth (decidious teeth). These make way for 42 adult teeth.
The 42 adult teeth are comprised of:
- 12 Incisors
- 4 Canines
- 16 Premolars
- 10 Molars
How Will Your Yorkshire Terrier Puppy Tolerate Teething?
Teething will undoubtedly be a tough time for your little Yorkie pup.
Teething triggers irritation, discomfort, swelling, and prickling sensations. These symptoms come in waves of intensity, it’s certainly not a walk in the park. On some days your Yorkie will be perfectly fine, and on others when the pain peaks, it’ll greatly impact him.
➡️ Common reactions to teething
The swelling and prickling sensations will instinctively urge your Yorkie to chew on things.
Your pup might also show changes in behavior, becoming more irritable and unruly on certain days, depending on the severity of his pain.
Additionally, you might notice an increase in drooling, and mild gum bleeding.
➡️ How chewing aids with teething
The act of chewing eases the gums and provides relief from the prickling sensations.
It also encourages blood flow to the area which aids the overall progression of the teething process.
Chewing is GOOD for teething, and it’s the main reason why puppies become such avid chewers. Expect your Yorkie pup to want to gnaw on anything he encounters.
Expected reactions when your Yorkshire Terrier puppy starts teething:
- Increased biting and chewing
- Increased nipping at hands
- Unsettled/bad behavior
- Increased drooling/saliva
- Mild gum bleeding/bloody saliva
- Decreased attention and focus when training
How To Help Your Yorkshire Terrier With Teething
Here are some of the top tips and tricks that can help your Yorkie sail through teething with minimal discomfort and damage.
➡️ Frozen KONG toy
Consider a KONG puppy toy (small breed), and your Yorkie will have something to sink their teeth into. KONGs are created with teething and heavy chewing in mind. Plus, you can stuff the inside with treats, foam, or even peanut butter to keep them entertained for longer.
Boost its effectiveness by filling the KONG with mashed banana or peanut butter, then freeze it for 2 hours. The frozen toy and treats inside provide excellent relief with the cold temperatures. (It also makes the treats last longer).
Also worth checking out: N-Bone teething treats
➡️ Rotate toys
To keep your puppy intrigued by his toys, it’s a great idea to rotate 2 or 3 different sets of toys. To your puppy, it feels like they’re continually getting new toys.
Have 2 or 3 toys out, then after a week, pick them up and replace them with another set. It may sound silly, but it works wonders and will continuously give your puppy something “new” and interesting to chew on, rather than your hands or furniture.
➡️ Frozen rope toy
Rope toys provide a perfect chewy yet sturdy texture for your puppy to gnaw on for hours. Plus, rope toys freeze well if you soak them beforehand.
The frozen temperature will numb and soothe his swollen gums providing effective pain relief. While it doesn’t last forever, your puppy will be grateful for it. Plus, he’ll have something better to chew than your shoes or couch!
➡️ Ice cube treats
Continuing with the frozen theme, ice cube treats are easy to make, can help with training, and will soothe an irritated puppy. You can infuse mashed banana, peanut butter, or weak chicken broth into ice cubes to create some fantastic treats.
These treats are perfect for summer, too! Just ensure to give them to your puppy outside or on a non-carpeted surface. They can be a bit messy!
➡️ Frozen carrots or bananas
Puppies can eat both carrots and bananas, just keep them whole and large. Do not give baby carrots or chunks of banana as they can pose a choking risk.
Freeze the carrots and bananas whole, and they can serve as healthy frozen DIY chews at a fraction of the cost of store-bought ones. They also provide effective and speedy pain relief for an irritated puppy.
Prevent Your Teething Yorkie From Chewing Everything
Your Yorkie pup isn’t going to be the only one struggling during the first 8-10 months. Your hands, feet, furniture, and luxurious couch might also be casualties!
Unfortunately, this is a common issue with puppies, and it’s their teething discomfort that prompts them to chew as much and as frequently as they can.
➡️ Redirecting Your Yorkshire Terrier Puppy’s Inappropriate Chewing
Successfully addressing bad chewing habits involves A) redirecting your puppy’s inappropriate chewing and B) initiating this as soon as possible!
Redirection and positive reinforcement should become a vital part of your daily routine. This strategy will gradually teach your puppy to distinguish between what he is permitted and not permitted to chew.
● How to do it:
Whenever your Yorkie pup starts chewing something he’s not supposed to, grab his toy and redirect his attention towards it. Once he engages with his toy for a few seconds, make sure to reward him with praise and a small treat. It’s simple, but the challenge for most people is maintaining consistency.
Every time your Yorkie chews something he shouldn’t, you must redirect him towards what he’s allowed to chew, wait, then praise.
● Why this works:
Your Yorkie (like all dogs) learns best through repetition and association. Repetition hinges on your consistency – you must redirect every. single. time. your Yorkie chews something he isn’t supposed to.
Then, once he’s focused on his toy, you associate that with a reward and being a “good boy”. At the end of the day, dogs only ever want to please their owners, and with enough practice, your Yorkie pup will eventually only chew the items he knows he’s allowed to (or gets rewarded for).
It’s basic, but it’s still the best way to tackle inappropriate chewing. And be prepared for it to take some time!
● Redirection training also has another significant benefit:
Puppies, particularly Yorkies, are notorious chewers, and this habit can persist well beyond the teething stage. By starting redirection training and sticking with it, you won’t just prevent inappropriate chewing throughout the teething stage… You’ll prevent it for YEARS to come. And ultimately, mold him into a better-behaved Yorkie.
Final thoughts
Teething doesn’t have to be such a nightmare, neither for you are your Yorkie!
With the advice above, not only will you be able to reduce the irritation caused by the teething, but you’ll know how to properly redirect any excessive biting that might happen.
Thanks for reading! Back to more Yorkie articles >
Additional reading
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/teeth-teething-and-chewing-in-puppies
- https://caringheartsanimalhospital.com/puppy-teething-symptoms/
- https://www.greencrossvets.com.au/services/puppy-teething/