16-Week-Old Puppy Guide: Teething, Training and Behavior

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

At sixteen weeks, your puppy is a young dog in the making. The tiny, wobbly baby has become a bouncy, curious and sometimes cheeky youngster. It is also teething, testing and learning how to navigate the world. With patience and consistency, this stage can be a great time for training.

Physical changes

Your puppy is growing quickly, and its legs may look long compared with its body. Baby teeth are falling out, and adult teeth are emerging, starting with the incisors and progressing to the canines and premolars. Gums may be sore, and you might see bleeding or notice small teeth on the floor. This is normal. Provide cool, soft chew toys to soothe the gums. See our teething timeline.

Behavior changes

• More independence. Your puppy may wander further and ignore you more.
• Testing boundaries. It may jump up, pull on the leash or ignore cues.
• Chewing and mouthing. Teething increases the urge.
• Energy surges. Zoomies and hyperactivity may appear, especially in the evening.

These are normal, and consistent responses help your puppy learn what works.

Training focus

• Impulse control. Teach wait, leave it and settle.
• Loose leash walking. Keep practicing in different environments.
• Recall. Reward generously, and practice on a long line. See our recall training guide.
• Duration and distance. Increase gradually for sit, down and stay.
• Manners. Reward all four paws on the floor, and ignore jumping.

Keep sessions short, positive and varied. If your puppy seems to forget commands, return to an easier level and rebuild. See our guide on first commands.

Socialization

Although the primary window is closing, social learning continues. Keep exposing your puppy to new people, animals and places, always positively. Observe your puppy's comfort level, and give breaks as needed. If your puppy becomes wary, do not force it. See our socialization checklist and guide to fear periods.

Exercise

Provide regular, moderate exercise, including walks, play and mental games. Avoid prolonged repetitive exercise, such as long runs, and avoid high jumps, which can stress developing joints. See our guide on puppy exercise limits by age.

Feeding

Most puppies are on three meals a day, and some move to two meals later. Follow your vet's guidance and watch body condition. Keep treats modest, especially during training. See the puppy feeding schedule by age.

Health

Your puppy may be completing its vaccination series around this age. Ask your vet about next steps, including spay or neuter timing. Continue parasite prevention. Keep up with dental care by introducing toothbrushing. See our puppy vet checklist for the first year.

Common challenges

• Chewing: Provide chews, rotate toys and manage the environment.
• Selective hearing: Raise the value of rewards and reduce distractions.
• Biting: Keep redirecting and teach gentle play.
• Night waking: Teething can disrupt sleep, so offer comfort and a cold chew.

Looking ahead to adolescence

Adolescence usually begins between six and twelve months, but some puppies show early signs sooner. Prepare for it by building strong foundations now. See our guide to adolescence.

Keeping adult teeth and gums healthy

Adult teeth are permanent, so good habits start now. Look at your puppy's mouth weekly: you should see pink gums, clean teeth and no swelling. Occasionally a baby tooth stays in place beside the adult tooth, which is called a retained deciduous tooth. It is most common in small breeds and can trap food and cause crowding, so mention it to your vet if you spot two teeth in one spot after about six or seven months.

Introduce toothbrushing as a game. Let your puppy lick pet toothpaste from your finger, then from a soft brush, and progress to a few brushing strokes on the outer surfaces. Keep it positive and short. Choose chews that bend slightly, and avoid anything hard enough to fracture teeth. Starting dental care now makes adult care far easier. See our guide to brushing a dog's teeth for step-by-step technique.

The takeaway

Sixteen weeks is a time of rapid change. Stay consistent, keep training fun and give your puppy plenty of safe outlets for chewing and energy. The effort you put in now will help carry you through adolescence.