Puppy teething with retained tooth: Bichon Frise

A retained baby tooth at 13 weeks adds a real complication to what's already an uncomfortable time — if the vet has flagged it, it means that tooth isn't loosening the way it should, and chewing on something too hard could put pressure on exactly the wrong spot. That changes what I'd recommend. Before I suggest anything, can you tell me a bit more? Is your Bichon actively seeking things to chew, or is she more reluctant because it's clearly hurting her? And has the vet given any guidance yet on timing — are they watching it or already talking about extraction?

That tells me a lot. She wants to chew — that instinct doesn't switch off — but hitting something firm is catching the sore area. What you need is something soft enough that it gives a little under pressure rather than pushing back hard, but still satisfying enough that she actually uses it instead of your skirting boards. Bichons are also a small breed, so toy size really matters — anything too large and she won't be able to get a proper grip. Is she currently chewing on anything at all that seems to give her some relief, even temporarily?

That rubber ring reaction is exactly what I'd expect — standard rubber has too much resistance when there's a retained tooth involved. The fabric toy instinct is right, but you need something that holds up and can actually do some gentle work on the gum tissue without causing pain. My recommendation is the Kong Puppy toy in the small size — specifically the puppy version, not the classic. It's made from a much softer, more forgiving rubber compound designed for developing teeth, and critically, you can stuff it or soak it and freeze it, which will soothe the inflammation around that retained tooth. The small size suits a Bichon well, and the irregular bounce keeps her engaged so she chews it rather than ignoring it. It won't resolve the retained tooth — that's the vet's job — but it gives her a safe outlet that won't aggravate things while you're in the monitoring window.

For the next few weeks while that tooth is still an issue, I'd freeze it most of the time — the cold genuinely reduces inflammation and numbs the area just enough to make chewing comfortable rather than painful. Soak it in water or stuff it with a little plain yogurt or wet puppy food before freezing so there's something rewarding inside. Once the tooth situation is resolved, you can use it at room temperature too and it'll still hold her interest. Just don't leave her unsupervised with any toy until you know how she handles it.

Good plan. Keep a close eye on how she responds — if she's still yelping even with the frozen Kong, or if you notice the retained tooth looking more prominent or the gum around it getting red and swollen, go back to the vet before the three-week mark. Retained teeth can escalate. But a soft, frozen outlet should get you both through this stretch more comfortably.