[louise12]

We thought that we were getting our puppy at 7 1/2 weeks old and booked time off work etc to settle him in. I've now double-checked dates with our breeder and realised that I've made a big mistake - we're a week out and he'll only be 6 1/2 weeks old!:uhoh:

She's an experienced breeder (20 years) and half of the pups are going to be guide dogs (which is why they're leaving this early).

Is this going to be a disaster? Should we try to change our time off so we can pick up our puppy a bit later or do you think this will be ok? I've spoken to 2 vets who both say as long as they're weaned, vet checked and happy we should be fine.

As this is our first puppy we're very worried about doing anything wrong - all advice greatfully recieved as if we want to try to change our time off we need to do it very quickly!

 

[Willow52]

Hank came home at 5 1/2 weeks. He's done great. No separation anxiety, excessive nipping or house breaking problems. He did have a stomach bug right after he came home but not sure that it had anything to do with leaving his mother early. He's now a strapping 3 1/2 month old.

I'm not sure why the breeder let the puppies go early, Hank was a surprise birthday gift from my daughter. His litter mates were going to their new homes as well.

Honestly, I've never brought a puppy older than 6 weeks home so I can't say how it might be different. I wouldn't change my vacation time.

 

[Karen519]

Puppies

I have always heard that puppies should not LEAVE their Mom until
8 Weeks Old.

The last two breeders that Ken and I had for our Samoyeds, never let them go before 8 weeks.

 

[LifeOfRiley]

I could very well be wrong, but I think it might depend on the individual pup.

Riley was just 7 weeks when we brought him home and we didn't have any problems. He was a very confident little guy and was ready to go. Didn't even cry on the way home - just sat on my lap, looking out the window, smiling all the way. He must have already picked up the bite inhibition, because we didn't have any trouble with excessive nipping and the house training was a breeze.

I brought one of my GSDs home at 5 weeks. (Yikes.) We had no trouble with nipping or house training there, either, but he was extremely clingy with me and never grew out of it. That became a bit of an issue as he got older.

So I don't know. Hopefully others will have some better insight!

 

[Elisabeth Kazup]

I think you're going to deal with a couple of issues. First will be physical immaturity which will make potty training longer. A couple of weeks more would allow his little body to grow and be more capable of 'holding' it. So be prepared for more frequent potty breaks and for at least a couple of weeks longer.

Secondly, emotional immaturity. They learn a lot in those last couple of weeks from their littermates. However, if the littermates are gone, then I guess it becomes a moot point. Be prepared for your puppy to see you and the family as a replacement for his brothers and sisters.

On the good side, this happens a lot and while later is BETTER, this situation is not necessarily BAD either.

Good luck with your new puppy. You're in for a year of fun and chaos no matter whether he's 6 1/2 weeks or 8 1/2 weeks!

Pictures required. We need our puppy fix! :smooch:

 

[cubbysan]

I am not a breeder, but I would think if the littermates are gone, then he might just as well be with you. I think every puppy and every litter is different.

I did get a puppy once at 6 weeks, I took a week off with him. Slept with him when he napped during that time. He ended up being my heart dog. The mother had stopped going near the puppies at 4 weeks.

 

[paula bedard]

You should talk this over with your Breeder. In some states it's illegal to take home a pup younger than 8 weeks, it is in Maryland.
If she feels that he's ready and that you are ready, then it is probably fine in this instance.

 

[Ambesi]

Winchester was one day shy of 7 weeks when I brought him home. He did great! May I recommend sending a plush toy to the breeder to gather mom and littermates' scent on it to bring home with your puppy? I did this and I'm sooooo glad I did. I think it really helped crating and sleeping through the night. By night three Winchester was sleeping through the night, and even from the start he hardly cried at all. I think it's because of the toy. At least I'd like to think that.

 

[Adriennelane]

Lucy wasn't quite 7 weeks old when we got her, and she did great. The first few weeks were a little rough, but they are with any puppy. I think honestly, she was potty trained very quickly because we started her out early. She was more of a biter, but we trained her not to very early too.

We adopted Dory at 11-12 weeks, and we're having more issues with separation anxiety and I swear she's a peeing machine. I do see improvements though. With a puppy, no matter what the age, you have to look for those little signs of improvement, or you can very easily lose hope.

 

[louise12]

Thanks for all the replies - we've managed to sort out work etc. so can now get pup a week later, which I feel a lot happier with as this is our first dog.

Will post some pictures when we've been to visit and choose him

 

[spy008]

As long as the breeder doesn't have a problem keeping him around another week then you gotta do what you feel is best in your given situation. Bottom line do what makes you feel most comfortable. Having a new pup come home should be fun not stressful.

 

[louise12]

As long as the breeder doesn't have a problem keeping him around another week then you gotta do what you feel is best in your given situation. Bottom line do what makes you feel most comfortable. Having a new pup come home should be fun not stressful.

You are so right! We've got it all sorted and we're getting him a week later - We're completely happy now and can concentrate on just being excited!

 

[Griffyn'sMom]

I'm sure your breeder is thrilled that you are taking the extra time off. I think it will pay off for you in the end since you will get used to the routine and the puppy's needs.

Whether you were to pick the pup up early or not, the fact that you're taking extra time to be with him/her says that you will be awesome puppy owners. Best wishes!

We did a similar thing with Jake - and we brought him home at 5 1/2 weeks although I admit that I was a bit of a wreck knowing he was quite young. I also worked close enough to come home a lunch times to let him out. He was completely house trained byt 4 months and Griff was about that time I think as well.

Just watch that nose - once it goes down - he/she goes out - you'll get the hang of it right quick.

 

[goldens2show]

A lot of people can lead you to articles on what puppies learn in week 7-8 from mom and littermates so I won't list them here. These comments aren't about your breeder because I don't know the situation. I am also speaking in general for people who are asking this question for puppies in the United States to maybe help educate others. I am glad you are finding something that is working out for you.
I'll start by saying sometimes there are situations where a breeder must place before 7-8 weeks like a health issue with the breeder or something. But 99% of the time it is the irresponsible breeders who send puppies home early to save time, money, energy, or they haven't educated themselves to know better. Puppies get very hard to care for in the last weeks and it takes a lot of committment to keep them a little longer. I think you will find that most states say they can't leave mom before 8 weeks (and for a very good reason). Here is a link to each state law on this. http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ovuspuppysaletable.htm
Even if there wasn't a developmental issue why would a breeder break the law by seperating them from mom too early? Makes me wonder where else they took short cuts.

Here is a article that may help. http://www.rhodesianridgebackhealth.org/Documents-PDFs/49_DAYS_REVISTED_Bailey.pdf

Sorry I am very opinionated about this! I see very few exceptions when a puppy should go home before 8 weeks. 7 1/2 maybe but never 5 or 6 weeks like some have mentioned. Maybe the dog turns out "ok" but maybe they could have been a "great" dog given a little extra time with mom and littermates.

Christina
www.heritagegoldens.com

 

[louise12]

A lot of people can lead you to articles on what puppies learn in week 7-8 from mom and littermates so I won't list them here. These comments aren't about your breeder because I don't know the situation. I am also speaking in general for people who are asking this question for puppies in the United States to maybe help educate others. I am glad you are finding something that is working out for you.
I'll start by saying sometimes there are situations where a breeder must place before 7-8 weeks like a health issue with the breeder or something. But 99% of the time it is the irresponsible breeders who send puppies home early to save time, money, energy, or they haven't educated themselves to know better. Puppies get very hard to care for in the last weeks and it takes a lot of committment to keep them a little longer. I think you will find that most states say they can't leave mom before 8 weeks (and for a very good reason). Here is a link to each state law on this. http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ovuspuppysaletable.htm
Even if there wasn't a developmental issue why would a breeder break the law by seperating them from mom too early? Makes me wonder where else they took short cuts.

Here is a article that may help. http://www.rhodesianridgebackhealth.org/Documents-PDFs/49_DAYS_REVISTED_Bailey.pdf

Sorry I am very opinionated about this! I see very few exceptions when a puppy should go home before 8 weeks. 7 1/2 maybe but never 5 or 6 weeks like some have mentioned. Maybe the dog turns out "ok" but maybe they could have been a "great" dog given a little extra time with mom and littermates.

Christina
www.heritagegoldens.com

I totally agree with you - we're getting our pup at 7 1/2 weeks, it was me not the breeder who messed up the dates (a bit of a misunderstanding). Some pups are going to be guide dogs - in the UK they start their training at 6 weeks for this!

I don't think that we have the same laws over here, but I imagine their must be some sort of Code of Conduct relating to this?