Puppy teething with older dogs stealing toys

An 11-week-old being muscled out of their own chew toys by the older dogs — that's a really common problem in multi-dog households, and it matters more than people realise at this age. Teething is one of the most intense periods of puppyhood, and if the pup can't access a chew when those gums are aching, everything else in your home becomes fair game. Having the right toy available — firm enough to satisfy, safe for baby teeth, ideally chillable — makes a real difference to how much destruction happens. Before I point you in the right direction: is the Schnauzer being kept in a separate space at all, or are all three dogs loose together most of the time? And is the chewing spilling over onto furniture or shoes, or is it mostly just the frustration of losing the toys?

That tracks completely — she's teething and frustrated, so the chair legs are the only outlet she can reliably keep. The older dogs aren't being malicious, they just outrank her and know it. The solution here isn't really about finding a more appealing toy; it's about giving her somewhere the older two can't follow, even temporarily. A playpen or a crate with the door open can work as her own zone during the day. But the toy itself still matters — what I'd recommend is the KONG Puppy in the small size. It's made from a softer rubber than the classic KONG, which is exactly right for developing teeth, and you can stuff it with a little wet food or yoghurt and freeze it overnight. Cold filling soothes sore gums significantly. More importantly, it's distinctive enough that you can make it a clear rule in the household: that specific red toy stays with the puppy. Are you able to set up even a small penned-off corner for her during the day?

If the pen has solid sides or the gaps are small enough, the older dogs can see her but can't reach the toy — which is usually enough. Schnauzers are small, so a standard puppy playpen panel set will contain her easily. The key is that she gets the frozen KONG in that space, works on it for 20–30 minutes while the gum relief is at its peak, and then you retrieve it before letting her back out with the others. You're essentially ring-fencing her chew sessions rather than trying to referee the whole group. At 11 weeks this is also just about protecting her confidence — being repeatedly robbed of resources at this age can make some puppies quite anxious around the older dogs long-term.

Two is the ideal number — one in the freezer, one in use. That way you're never caught without a cold one ready, and the routine becomes really easy to maintain. At the small size they're not expensive, so it's worth having the pair from the start. Once she's past the worst of the teething at around 16–20 weeks, you can reassess whether she needs more variety, but right now consistency and cold is what her gums actually need.