4-Month-Old Puppy: Teething, Training and Boundaries

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

At four months, your puppy is about halfway to adolescence and looks more like a young dog than a baby. It may also be a little less obedient than it was last month. Do not worry: this is a normal phase, and with calm consistency you can move through it easily.

Physical changes

Your puppy is growing steadily, and may be going through growth spurts that bring hunger and clumsiness. Baby teeth are falling out, and adult teeth are emerging. Gums can be sore, and chewing intensifies. Provide chews of different textures, and offer frozen options for relief. See our teething timeline.

Behavior

• Testing limits. Your puppy is figuring out what it can get away with.
• Distraction. The world is more interesting than you, so training needs to compete.
• Chewing and mouthing. Teething can make this worse.
• Energy. Spurts of high energy, followed by deep sleep.

Training priorities

• Reliability. Practice known cues in more places and with distractions.
• Loose leash walking. Use rewards for walking beside you, and stop when the leash tightens.
• Recall. Practice on a long line in safe areas. See our recall training guide.
• Impulse control. Teach wait, leave it and settle.
• Calm behavior. Reward relaxation, such as lying on a mat.

Keep sessions short, and consider enrolling in an ongoing class. See our puppy class guide.

Socialization

Keep up your efforts. Introduce new people, places and experiences, and arrange play with friendly, healthy dogs. Let your puppy move at its own pace. Our socialization checklist may help.

Exercise and play

Most four-month-old puppies need short, frequent bouts of activity, such as several walks and play sessions. Avoid repetitive high-impact exercise, such as long runs or jumping. Mix physical activity with mental games, such as scent searches and puzzle feeders. Our guide to exercise limits by age provides guidance.

Feeding

Continue with a high-quality puppy food, and adjust portions as your vet advises. Many puppies eat three meals a day. Watch weight and body condition. See the puppy feeding schedule by age.

Health

Complete vaccinations as scheduled, and keep up with parasite prevention. Talk to your vet about timing for spaying or neutering. Brush your puppy's teeth gently, and check ears and eyes. See our puppy vet checklist.

Handling common issues

• Selective hearing: Increase reward value and decrease distractions.
• Destructive chewing: Supervise and provide chews.
• Jumping: Reward calm greetings.
• Nipping: Redirect and teach gentle play.
• Night waking: Teething may cause discomfort, so provide a cool chew and comfort.

Preparing for adolescence

Adolescence often starts around six months, but some puppies show early signs. Prepare by building routines, keeping training consistent and managing the environment. See our guide on adolescence.

What to do when your puppy seems to forget everything

Many owners panic around four months because a puppy that came reliably at ten weeks now ignores them outdoors. This is normal and does not mean your training failed. Puppies become more independent and distractible as their confidence grows, and the rewards you offered at home are suddenly competing with smells, birds and other dogs.

Respond by changing the setup, not by getting angry. Go back to easier locations, use better treats, keep your puppy on a long line outside and reward every successful return. Reduce the number of times you repeat a cue, because repeated cues teach your puppy to wait for the third or fourth request. Short, successful sessions rebuild reliability faster than long, frustrating ones, and the skills will come back stronger.

The takeaway

Four months is a time of change and a time to double down on training and socialization. Be patient, consistent and kind, and your puppy will grow into a well-mannered dog. See our 5-month-old puppy guide for the next stage.