New puppy life is equal parts love, learning and low-level chaos. In Part 2, we tackle chewing, sleep and alone time The everyday essentials that help turn a tiny whirlwind into a happy, confident companion. Scroll on for practical answers every new puppy parent needs.
Why is my puppy biting everything?
Why is my puppy biting everything?
Your puppy is not plotting the destruction of your home. Teething usually begins at around three to four months, as 28 baby teeth make way for 42 permanent ones. Most adult teeth are in place by roughly six to seven months, although enthusiastic chewing may continue well beyond that.
Sore gums make chewing soothing, while mouthing is also how puppies explore, play and learn about their world. Give your pup several safe, correctly sized chew toys and rotate them to keep things interesting. Toys should be sturdy enough not to splinter, fracture teeth or break into swallowable pieces.
When teeth meet hands, shoes or furniture, calmly interrupt and redirect your puppy to an approved chew. Avoid shouting or turning it into an exciting chase; consistency teaches far more effectively than drama.
Ask your vet to check any severe pain, heavy bleeding, difficulty eating, broken teeth or “double teeth”, where a baby tooth remains beside the adult tooth. Retained baby teeth can crowd the mouth and may need treatment.
Your puppy needs something legal to chew. Otherwise, your favourite shoes may be appointed to the position without consultation.
Start early: before panic arrives wearing tap shoes.
Puppies are not born knowing how to be alone. Independence is a skill they learn gradually, just like toilet training, lead walking and not eating the couch.
Begin with very short absences while your puppy is calm, fed, toileted and settled in a cosy space with a safe chew or stuffed food toy. Step away for seconds, return quietly and build the time slowly. The lesson is simple: alone-time is safe, ordinary and temporary.
Keep departures and arrivals low-key. No farewell speeches, apologetic cuddles or “Mummy will only be five minutes” doorway performances. Calm out, calm in.
If your puppy screams, drools, scratches at exits, destroys doorways or cannot settle alone even briefly, treat it as genuine distress, not naughtiness. Speak to your vet or a qualified behaviour professional.
The goal is not to make your puppy enjoy being abandoned. It is to teach them that you leaving the room is not the end of civilisation.
How long can I leave a puppy alone?
For a very young puppy, not for long.
Puppies need frequent toilet breaks, meals, supervision, sleep and reassurance. Too much alone-time too soon can lead to accidents, stress barking, unsafe chewing—or a puppy who learns that being left is frightening.
Build alone-time like fitness: start small, keep it positive and increase gradually. A few peaceful minutes in a safe space are far better than one long, overwhelming stretch. Young puppies generally need care every few hours, but age, temperament and routine all matter. Do not expect adult independence from a baby dog.
Leave your puppy with fresh water, a comfortable bed and a safe chew or enrichment toy. If your workday is longer than your puppy can manage, arrange help from a trusted person, sitter, walker or vet-approved day-care.
Leaving a tiny puppy loose to “figure it out” is not independence training. It is mayhem with skirting boards, and possibly your favourite shoe in a supporting role.
How much sleep does my puppy need?
A lot. Many young puppies need around 16–20 hours of sleep in 24 hours, spread across nighttime rest and frequent daytime naps. Their bodies and brains are growing at extraordinary speed, and sleep helps them process learning, recover from play and recharge for the next round of household supervision.
An overtired puppy does not always look sleepy. They may become bitey, frantic, noisy, emotional or suddenly launch into turbocharged zoomies. A predictable routine with play, meals, toilet breaks and quiet nap times helps them settle before exhaustion turns them into a tiny furry riot.
Give your pup a calm, comfortable sleep space and let sleeping puppies lie. Contact your vet if their sleep changes suddenly or they seem unusually lethargic, difficult to wake or unwell.
Sometimes the zoomies do not mean “more play!” They mean “please put me to bed before I make another decision.”
