If your puppy has suddenly turned into a tiny wood chipper, congratulations: teething has begun. From around three months, baby teeth fall out and 42 adult teeth push through, and chewing is the only relief your pup can find.

Give the urge somewhere to go

You can’t stop a teething puppy from chewing — you can only decide what gets chewed. Keep three or four soft rubber or puppy-specific teething toys in rotation — if you can dent it with a thumbnail, it’s gentle enough — and chill one in the fridge; the cold soothes sore gums the way a teething ring helps a baby. Skip hard nylon or plastic chews for now: anything that won’t bend can crack those brand-new teeth.

Protect the house, gently

Anything at puppy height is fair game, so tidy shoes and cables away and trade — never yank — forbidden objects for a toy. Yanking starts a tug game and makes the stolen sock even more fun.

Teething usually ends by seven months. Until then, a frozen carrot, a stuffed chew toy and a little patience will get you both through with your furniture mostly intact.