Best Toys for Teething Doodle Puppies: Essential Guide for Cavapoos, Cockapoos, Schnoodles & Schnockerpoos

If you’ve recently welcomed a Cavapoo, Cockapoo, Schnoodle, or Schnockerpoo puppy into your home, you’ve likely discovered their powerful urge to chew on everything in sight. This isn’t just mischievous behavior—it’s a natural and necessary part of their development. At Silver Bell Doodles, we’ve helped countless families navigate the teething phase with our small Doodle breeds by recommending the best chew toys to save your furniture (and your sanity).

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover:

• Why chewing is essential for your small Doodle puppy’s development
• The teething timeline for Cavapoos, Cockapoos, Schnoodles, and Schnockerpoos
• The safest and most effective chew toys for different chewing stages
• How to redirect inappropriate chewing to appropriate toys
• Which chews to avoid for small Doodle breeds
• Special breed-specific considerations for teething

Understanding the Teething Process

Just like human babies, puppies go through a teething process that can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Understanding this process helps you provide appropriate relief at each stage.

Small Doodle Teething Timeline

2-3 Weeks: Deciduous (baby) teeth begin erupting 3-6 Weeks: All 28 baby teeth should be present 12-16 Weeks: Baby teeth begin falling out as adult teeth emerge 6-7 Months: All 42 permanent adult teeth should be in place

During the most intense teething period (12-20 weeks), your small Doodle puppy may experience:

• Sore, tender gums
• Increased drooling
• Reluctance to eat hard food
• Irritability
• Intense chewing behavior
• Slight fever

“The teething phase is temporary, but how you manage it can have lasting effects on your puppy’s chewing habits for life. Providing appropriate outlets for this natural behavior is crucial.” — Silver Bell Doodles Veterinary Consultant

The Importance of Appropriate Chewing

Chewing isn’t just about teething relief—it serves multiple important functions for your small Doodle puppy:

1. Dental Health: Appropriate chewing helps clean teeth and massage gums
2. Mental Stimulation: Chewing engages your puppy’s mind and prevents boredom
3. Stress Relief: The action of chewing releases endorphins that help calm anxious puppies
4. Jaw Development: Regular chewing strengthens jaw muscles and promotes healthy development
5. Natural Instinct: All dogs have an innate need to chew—providing appropriate outlets prevents destructive behavior

Small Doodle breeds like our Cavapoos, Cockapoos, Schnoodles, and Schnockerpoos may have different chewing intensities based on their genetic makeup, but all need appropriate chewing opportunities.

Best Chew Toys for Small Doodle Puppies

Not all chew toys are created equal, especially for small breed Doodles with their specific jaw sizes and chewing styles. Here are our top-recommended toys for different purposes:

For Teething Relief

Freezable Chew Toys Cold provides natural pain relief for inflamed gums.

Our recommendation: KONG Puppy Toy

• Soft rubber specifically formulated for puppy teeth and gums
• Can be frozen with water or stuffed with treats and frozen
• Size small or XS perfect for Cavapoos, Cockapoos, and other small Doodles
• Unpredictable bounce for interactive play

Textured Chew Toys Different textures provide varied sensations for sore gums.

Our recommendation: Nylabone Puppy Teething Keys

• Multiple textures help massage different areas of the mouth
• Made specifically for teething puppies’ needs
• Perfect size for small Doodle breeds
• Can be refrigerated for extra relief

For Moderate Chewers

Many small Doodles are moderate rather than aggressive chewers, needing toys that provide resistance without being too hard.

Our recommendation: Benebone Wishbone Durable Dog Chew Toy

• Ergonomic shape that’s easy for small dogs to hold
• Made in USA with real flavor (no artificial chemicals)
• Durable but not too hard for small Doodle jaws
• Small size appropriate for your Cavapoo, Cockapoo, or Schnoodle

For Comfort Chewing

Small Doodles often enjoy soft toys for comfort chewing, particularly Cavapoos who tend to be gentler chewers.

Our recommendation: Smart Pet Love Snuggle Puppy

• Includes heartbeat and heat pack for extra comfort
• Soft but reinforced seams for durability
• Provides comfort especially for anxious puppies
• Machine washable

Natural Chews for Doodle Puppies

Natural chews can supplement rubber and nylon toys, providing variety in texture and flavor:

Bully Sticks

High-protein, single-ingredient chews that are fully digestible.

Our recommendation: Best Bully Sticks 6 Inch All-Natural Thin Bully Sticks

• 100% beef with no artificial additives
• Appropriate size for small Doodle breeds
• Long-lasting but not too hard
• 24-pack provides excellent value
• Fully digestible and safer than rawhide

Antlers

Long-lasting natural chews that help with dental cleaning.

Our recommendation: Nature Gnaws Antlers for Dogs

• Mix of split and whole antlers for variety
• Naturally shed, not harvested from live animals
• Split antlers easier for puppies to access marrow
• Rich in minerals and nutrients

Important Note for Small Doodles: Always supervise your small Doodle with antlers and remove when they become small enough to swallow. For very small Doodles, always choose split antlers rather than whole ones.

Dental Chews

Specifically designed to clean teeth while satisfying chew urges.

Our recommendation: Whimzees Natural Dental Dog Treats

• Grain-free, vegetable-based dental chew
• Unique shape helps clean all surfaces of teeth
• Size XS/S appropriate for small Doodles
• Helps reduce plaque and tartar

Interactive Chew Toys

Toys that combine chewing with mental stimulation are especially beneficial for intelligent Doodle breeds:

Treat-Dispensing Chew Toys

Our recommendation: Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Puzzle Toy

• Level 1 difficulty perfect for puppies
• Combines chewing, licking, and problem-solving
• Durable plastic stands up to puppy teeth
• Keeps intelligent Doodles mentally engaged

Lick Mats

Perfect for calmer chewing alternatives that soothe anxious puppies.

Our recommendation: Lickimat Soother Slow Feeder

• Can be spread with various soft foods
• Soothes through licking rather than aggressive chewing
• Freezable for longer-lasting enjoyment
• Helps with anxiety and boredom

Breed-Specific Chewing Considerations

Each of our specialized small Doodle breeds has slightly different chewing tendencies based on their genetic makeup:

Cavapoo Chewing Traits

Cavapoos (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel/Poodle) typically:

• Are gentle to moderate chewers
• May prefer softer toys
• Often enjoy plush toys with reinforced seams
• Can be more sensitive to hard-textured toys

Best toy type for Cavapoos: Plush toys, soft rubber toys, and gentle dental chews

Cockapoo Chewing Traits

Cockapoos (Cocker Spaniel/Poodle) generally:

• Have moderate to strong chewing drive
• Inherit retrieval instinct that increases interest in toys
• May enjoy interactive toys that can be fetched
• Need durable but not overly hard toys

Best toy type for Cockapoos: Rubber toys, rope toys, and interactive chew toys

Schnoodle Chewing Traits

Schnoodles (Schnauzer/Poodle) typically:

• Can be more intense chewers
• Often enjoy variety in their chew toys
• May have stronger jaw strength
• Sometimes prefer harder textures

Best toy type for Schnoodles: Durable rubber toys, nylon bones, and supervised antler chewing

Schnockerpoo Chewing Traits

Schnockerpoos (Schnauzer/Cocker Spaniel/Poodle) may:

• Have variable chewing intensity based on which traits they inherit
• Need a variety of textures to satisfy different chewing urges
• Benefit from rotation of different chew toy types
• Require close observation to determine individual preferences

Best toy type for Schnockerpoos: Varied rotation of different toy types based on individual preference

Dangerous Chews to Avoid

While there are many excellent chewing options for small Doodles, some common items should be avoided:

1. Cooked Bones: Can splinter and cause serious internal damage
2. Rawhide: Difficult to digest and poses choking hazard
3. Tennis Balls: Abrasive covering can wear down teeth
4. Sticks and Rocks: Risk of splintering, intestinal blockage, and dental fractures
5. Items Smaller Than the Mouth: Anything that could be swallowed whole
6. Extremely Hard Toys: Can fracture teeth, especially in small breeds

“As a rule of thumb, if you can’t make a slight indentation with your fingernail in a chew toy, it’s probably too hard for your small Doodle’s teeth.” — Silver Bell Doodles Veterinarian

Redirecting Inappropriate Chewing

Even with appropriate toys, puppies sometimes choose inappropriate items. Here’s how to effectively redirect this behavior:

1. Consistent Swap Technique:
   • When you catch your puppy chewing something inappropriate, say “No” or “Ah-ah” once
   • Immediately offer an appropriate chew toy as an alternative
   • Praise enthusiastically when they take the proper toy
   • Remove the inappropriate item when they’re not looking
2. Environmental Management:
   • Puppy-proof your home by removing tempting items
   • Use baby gates to restrict access to areas with valuable items
   • Apply pet-safe bitter spray to furniture edges and other temptations
   • Provide plenty of appropriate alternatives
3. Supervised Freedom:
   • Gradually increase freedom as your puppy learns the rules
   • Always supervise until chewing habits are well-established
   • Consider crating when you can’t supervise

Managing the Teething Phase

Beyond providing appropriate toys, these strategies can help make the teething phase more comfortable:

1. Frozen Washcloths: Wet a clean washcloth, twist it, freeze it, and offer it for supervised chewing
2. Ice Cubes in Water Bowl: Some puppies enjoy fishing out and chewing small ice cubes
3. Consistent Schedule: Regular exercise and mental stimulation reduces boredom chewing
4. Frozen Treats: Freeze puppy-safe broths in ice cube trays for refreshing relief
5. Regular Tooth Brushing: Gentle brushing with puppy-specific toothpaste helps accustom them to oral care

FAQs About Doodle Puppy Chewing

How many chew toys should my small Doodle puppy have?

We recommend at least 5-7 different types of chew toys to provide variety in texture, purpose, and flavor. Rotate them every few days to maintain interest.

My Cavapoo puppy is swallowing pieces of chews. What should I do?

Immediately switch to tougher toys that can’t be broken down. For softer chews like bully sticks, always supervise and take them away when they become small enough to swallow.

How do I know if a chew toy is too hard for my small Doodle?

Apply the fingernail test: if you can’t make a slight indentation with your fingernail, it’s likely too hard. Also watch for excessive pressure being applied—if your puppy seems to be straining to chew, choose something softer.

My Schnoodle puppy only chews when left alone. Is this normal?

This could indicate anxiety-based chewing. Try increasing exercise before alone time, providing puzzle toys that focus chewing energy, and gradually building comfort with alone time.

Should I let my Cockapoo puppy chew on sticks from the yard?

No, sticks can splinter, causing mouth injuries or intestinal damage if swallowed. Provide appropriate wood-flavored nylon alternatives instead.

Conclusion: Supporting Healthy Chewing Habits

The teething and chewing phase is a normal, necessary part of your small Doodle puppy’s development. By providing appropriate outlets for this natural behavior, you’re not just protecting your belongings—you’re supporting your puppy’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

At Silver Bell Doodles, we’ve found that understanding the unique chewing tendencies of our Cavapoo, Cockapoo, Schnoodle, and Schnockerpoo puppies helps set them up for success. While the intense teething phase will pass, the chewing habits established during this time often persist throughout your dog’s life.

Invest in quality chew toys appropriate for your small Doodle’s size and chewing style, be consistent with redirection, and remember that this challenging phase is temporary. The result will be a well-adjusted adult dog with healthy chewing habits and excellent dental health.

Have questions about managing your small Doodle’s chewing behavior? Contact us today or leave a comment down below, and we’ll be happy to help!

Disclaimer: We earn a small commission from purchases made through our affiliate links, which helps support our breeding program and educational content. We only recommend products we use and trust with our own puppies.

This article was last updated on March 19, 2025.