Got a New Chewer? The Acadia Chew Crew to the Rescue with Some Puppy Chewing Tips, a Few Tricks, and Some Good Advice

The past year has brought many changes to our lives, including spending more time at home. In the Acadia Antlers arena, there has been a large uptick in interest in our Acadia Moose Tasters – a softer cut of our antlers that is open on all sides, and perfect for helping to wiggle out puppy teeth. They’re a great starting point for the youngest chewers that we’re welcoming into our homes in record numbers!

I thought it would be good to do a couple of Acadia Blog Posts on the topic of puppies to help all the newbies! I remember when I first laid eyes on my Otto, a Miniature Schnauzer puppy, it was love at first sight and there was no turning back!

Changing times have opened up many hearts and homes to the trials and tribulations of puppyhood! Dogs make the best companions, and most will agree that their dog is a valuable and cherished member of the family. 

It’s funny, just the other day I was thinking about those glorious memories from childhood and how “easy” I thought it was to welcome a puppy into our home. As an adult, it’s all a little bit different from what I remember. I bet you can relate!

Here at Acadia Antlers the number one question we get asked all the time is: “How do I stop my puppy from chewing everything in sight?” It’s a great question, and it’s important to understand why it starts so early.

Did you know that puppies, like most mammals, are born completely toothless? Baby teeth will start to cut through from weeks three to six, and you’ll notice the pups are a lot more “mouthy” at that time. They will be drooling more, chewing on everything they can get their paws on, and seeming at times to have mouth and gum sensitivity. You may even spot minor amounts of blood on some chew toys as they start moving into the phase of losing their baby teeth and gaining their adult teeth.

Our Otto got relief from a small Kong that we filled with yogurt and kept in the freezer. He also loved to chew on an ice-cold washcloth. You can also use frozen fruits and veggies such as carrots and strawberries to soothe their gums. 

Try different things, and see what works best for your puppy chewing – this phase should last up until all their adult teeth are in, which is usually about six months old.

I’m very lucky. As the owner of Acadia Antlers, I’ve met many incredible sources of knowledge in the dog world – veterinarians, rescuers, and breeders that I often count on for good, solid advice. 

They always tell me that BEFORE you jump into being a new puppy owner, you should weigh everything out to find the right match. Think about what breed will fit your lifestyle the best. You need to consider the size the puppy will grow to, the length of the dog's life (it’s a long-term commitment), costs such as medical care, food, toys, grooming, lifestyle needs like exercise and a fenced-in area/yard, and what amount of time you will be committing to his or her health and well being.

You should also consider different types of breeds or mixed breeds based on the size of your home and any allergies anyone may have. Find a dog that’s a good fit for your lifestyle, and you’ll be rewarded with a companion whose love and adoration will be priceless.

Before you bring a puppy home, you should puppy-proof your house, have all the essentials in place, and teach your children to keep their items picked up!

Remember your puppy has to chew and if you and the kids leave precious things lying around they are open for attack if you’re not watching…and puppies are quick! ALWAYS supervise your puppy or put him in his crate if you can’t.

Boredom plays a huge factor here so make sure he’s given plenty of exercise, training, and playtime to soak up all that energy. Dog parks and doggie daycares are a good idea.

Many breeders include an Acadia Moose Taster in their puppy packs for dogs going to their “forever homes.” They should be giving you some supplies along with some guidance for the future – puppy packs may include vaccine records, chew toys, food samples, pamphlets, and information that will assist in the transition from one owner to the next.

Many of you that follow our Facebook and Instagram pages are most likely familiar with Karen Russell’s German Shepherds – they’ve chewed Acadia Antlers for the 10+ years we’ve been in business!

Karen owns Granite State K9 and raises German Shepherds. She’s a tremendous resource of knowledge for the breed. I spoke to her last week and asked her why she includes an Acadia Moose Taster in her puppy packs – here is what she said:

“It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of Acadia’s moose antlers. All of our German Shepherds love them! These all-natural chews are loaded with calcium and don’t split or splinter. The Moose Tasters are a source of calcium and other important minerals for puppy development. We include an appropriate-size moose antler in each of the puppy packs we send home with our customers to get our beautiful puppies started on a lifetime of safe chewing pleasure!”

Here is her little boy Gunther – soft chew toys and Acadia Moose Tasters for puppy chewing keep this boy very busy and happy!

It Gets Better…Hang in There!

The majority of early-life chewing will cease once a dog reaches adulthood at about a year old (larger breeds can keep developing until almost two years old). It will still happen, but not as intensely. By that time you’ll be a pro at knowing just how to handle it and what to give him if he wants to chew just for the pleasure of it.

We have so much more information to share with you – we’ll cover redirecting, crating, and other tips and games that will help with your new puppy in our next blog so stay tuned!

At Acadia Antlers we truly know and understand chewing and dogs. All puppies have to chew but thousands of adult dogs chew for pleasure or to relieve boredom, too. We produce different moose chews for different dogs, but to answer the call of all our customers with puppies who look to us to save the day, we offer our Moose Tasters! 

Puppies will be entertained for hours with these chews, gums will be soothed, and the gnawing action will help wiggle out all those baby teeth as they start to become loose. 

Don’t hesitate to try a Moose Taster for your puppy today! And if you enjoyed this post please share, share, share so others can benefit from it, too. Thanks!

Until next time, Carol.

Acadia Antlers is a small family business that has its roots deep in the Acadia National forest of Maine selling only the highest quality, naturally shed moose antler dog chews for over ten years and counting!! Our humble beginning started at a roadside stand right on the outskirts of the Acadia National Forest selling to tourists visiting the area as well as locals. The response to our all-natural, long-lasting chews has been incredible, and we strive to continue to be the premier source of moose antler dog chews across the country. Our antlers touch the lives, hearts, health, and happiness of not only the pet but the pet owner as well. We are proud to be environmentally responsible – the recovery and use of our sheds and drops minimize our carbon footprint while enabling us to provide our pets with an all-natural, green product. Visit our website, acadiaantlers.com and follow us on Instagram and Facebook – to continue to receive more great pet information, please sign up for our newsletter.

Welcome to our family – Happy Chewing!!