Breeders from all breeds selling puppies too young

[Wallee]

Hi everyone
Since being here I have seen so many many posts about puppies being sold so young and had to post that from what I saw last week, it seems that greeders and the general public are still very uneducated when it comes to this info.
I was at petsmart last week picking up kitty food and as I headed to the car I noticed a couple coming out the door with a very tiny huskey on a leash and harness. The puppy was obviously nervous with the whole leash thing and the man was picking it up by the leash and dragging the frightened thing trying to get it to walk. I couldnt resist saying, maybe you should try treats to encourage him/her to learn to walk. The lady chirped in with "he's just being stubborn cause it's my husband walking him".
I went over to pet the poor little guy and asked how old he was. 6.5 weeks the woman said. Wow! That's way too young came blurting out of my mouth. The woman snapped back at me, NO THAT'S THE AGE THEY LEAVE THEIR MOMMYS. I had to walk away and get in my car cause my heart was breaking for this poor little thing and the life it was about to have being dragged on a leash already at only 6.5 weeks.

[Verbena]

I am proud of you for having restraint. I would have went to the book section and grab one of the books and flipped to the page where it tells them when their pup should have really left their mother. I would have most likely started something because sometimes a little education is not what know-it-alls want to hear. But sometimes I love just poking a bear with a stick.!

[gracielove]

It is just heart breaking. I know some people get upset about the subject but the facts are that a puppy is just starting to be weaned at 6 weeks of age. It is far from being physically or emotionally ready to leave it's mom and litter mates.

The fact is that people who breed dogs only for the money do not want to clean up after the puppies after they start eating solid food. It is a messy ordeal and the mom stops cleaning up after the pups when they start being weaned. Because the majority of people who get a puppy get them from people who have never bothered to educate them selves about the growth and development of puppies most people believe that a 6 or 8 week old puppy is ready to leave it's first home. That kind of lack of knowledge ends up being a heart breaking situation for the pups.

Glad you spoke up. It's not an easy thing to do sometimes. Maybe, just maybe, one of them will consider your words later on.

[Teresa Ford]

That Puppy is TOO young I know ! It is so hard to be nice, cheerful and kind when we see and hear some thing like this story. In Fl. it is illegal to sell a puppy younger than 8 weeks old. But, people lie all the time.
What can we do ? Get the word out that if you want a really good start with a puppy, let them stay with Mommy longer. Cindy I am glad you didn't say something mean. I am glad you vented here. Hugs

[joeyyy2010]

What I am not understanding is why these people have a 6.5 week old puppy at the PET STORE walking around with it!! Do they not understand how many germs can attack that poor little guys immune system and possible kill it?!

[MandiesMom]

All we can do is try to educate when we can. Like right here. What you said was perfect.

Now, hopefully someone will google "what age can a puppy leave it's mommy" or "age to bring a puppy home" and this thread will come up in the search.

TWELVE WEEKS if you actually love your dog, why would you not do what's best for it and give it the full twelve weeks if possible?

Now, until I came to this forum, I was always told - ALWAYS - that puppies were weaned and ready to go at 8 weeks. I was never told differently about toy breeds...nothing. And, I admit - I didn't google it because I thought I knew..it's what I'd been told. So, people honestly don't know. We can get mad at the breeders for letting them go, but 9 times out of 10...the puppy you are seeing is from a byob who doesn't get it or care to know. I am 43 years old and just learned this year about this information.

Educate when you can is what I'm saying. But, don't get mad at people for not knowing. There is a difference between stupidity and ignorance. Ignorance is excusable because you just didn't have the info. Stupidity is not excusable because you had the info and still did it anyway.

[Wallee]

Originally Posted by joeyyy2010

What I am not understanding is why these people have a 6.5 week old puppy at the PET STORE walking around with it!! Do they not understand how many germs can attack that poor little guys immune system and possible kill it?!

Another reason I had to jump in my car and leave before I got myself in trouble.

[Yorkiemom1]

It is sooooooo hard to continually see this happening....I know they say large breed dogs can be separated earlier than 12-14 weeks....while getting a puppy 6-8 weeks of age MAY not be the death of that baby, there are several things that "Jon Q Citizen" just does not know....(1) A breeder starts to vaccinate puppies at 8-10 weeks of age...when a breeder lets a puppy go at 6-12 weeks, the breeder is avoiding the expense of giving the vaccinations. They are NOT letting that baby go to you at 6 weeks old because they love you and want to make you happy....the breeder is simply increasing her profit margin!. (2) Puppies 6-10 weeks of age are fragile and this is when they start getting "sick"...they do not handle stress well at that age, and weaning, all the new experiences they are going to encounter cause an enormous amount of stress, so the first thing that happens when you get baby home, DIARRHEA AND NOT EATING!!! Being with momma and familiar surroundings during weaning helps this baby develop a sense of stability and security....but, if the breeder does not have to deal with diarrhea, dehydration, and a vet visit, there again, increased profit margin....she makes you think you will be such a wonderful loving parent, she will allow you to have this precious baby because the breeder thinks you are super....NOT!! She is avoiding that vet bill! I have an 11 week old baby right now that is going to her new owner soon....this baby will go to her new family and she will not be an emergency vet visit on these people because the baby was separated too early and can not stand the stress. She will not have to be vaccinated, because I have paid for all that, so I can watch my baby and how she reacts to vaccinations...if this baby is destined to have a fatal reaction to a vaccination, it will be on ME, not on some adoring new owner who is absolutely gushing with excitment and love for this new little soul. This baby is weaning from momma to kibble...she does not nurse for milk any longer, but momma allows her to suckle at night as they go to sleep....I think this is vital to stabilizing this babys security and confidence for its lifetime....this week will be very stressful on baby becuuse we will be prolonging separation from momma....from most of the day, to include night time....this is going to be stressful for baby, but it will be on ME to help the baby adjust, NOT the new owner.... So when your breeder "is gracious enough" to let you have your puppy at 6-12 weeks of age, dont think it is because she thinks so highly of you and your skills....she is avoiding the cost of keeping that baby an additional 6 weeks, regardless of what is best for the baby. Do you REALLY want to deal with a breeder that cares so little for her babies welfare? It should be all about the puppies, not what a breeder can clear $$$ off a litter she lets go early rather than later....she is not doing you or the baby any favors by letting you take your baby home early.

[rubynrosie]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

It is sooooooo hard to continually see this happening....I know they say large breed dogs can be separated earlier than 12-14 weeks....while getting a puppy 6-8 weeks of age MAY not be the death of that baby, there are several things that "Jon Q Citizen" just does not know....(1) A breeder starts to vaccinate puppies at 8-10 weeks of age...when a breeder lets a puppy go at 6-12 weeks, the breeder is avoiding the expense of giving the vaccinations. They are NOT letting that baby go to you at 6 weeks old because they love you and want to make you happy....the breeder is simply increasing her profit margin!. (2) Puppies 6-10 weeks of age are fragile and this is when they start getting "sick"...they do not handle stress well at that age, and weaning, all the new experiences they are going to encounter cause an enormous amount of stress, so the first thing that happens when you get baby home, DIARRHEA AND NOT EATING!!! Being with momma and familiar surroundings during weaning helps this baby develop a sense of stability and security....but, if the breeder does not have to deal with diarrhea, dehydration, and a vet visit, there again, increased profit margin....she makes you think you will be such a wonderful loving parent, she will allow you to have this precious baby because the breeder thinks you are super....NOT!! She is avoiding that vet bill! I have an 11 week old baby right now that is going to her new owner soon....this baby will go to her new family and she will not be an emergency vet visit on these people because the baby was separated too early and can not stand the stress. She will not have to be vaccinated, because I have paid for all that, so I can watch my baby and how she reacts to vaccinations...if this baby is destined to have a fatal reaction to a vaccination, it will be on ME, not on some adoring new owner who is absolutely gushing with excitment and love for this new little soul. This baby is weaning from momma to kibble...she does not nurse for milk any longer, but momma allows her to suckle at night as they go to sleep....I think this is vital to stabilizing this babys security and confidence for its lifetime....this week will be very stressful on baby becuuse we will be prolonging separation from momma....from most of the day, to include night time....this is going to be stressful for baby, but it will be on ME to help the baby adjust, NOT the new owner.... So when your breeder "is gracious enough" to let you have your puppy at 6-12 weeks of age, dont think it is because she thinks so highly of you and your skills....she is avoiding the cost of keeping that baby an additional 6 weeks, regardless of what is best for the baby. Do you REALLY want to deal with a breeder that cares so little for her babies welfare? It should be all about the puppies, not what a breeder can clear $$$ off a litter she lets go early rather than later....she is not doing you or the baby any favors by letting you take your baby home early.

I LOVE this...and how easily written so the new puppy owner can get it!!! Wish this was its own internet page so when people search when can puppies leave mom, this was the first thing they see. The breeder for my first yorkie was trying to shove her out the door before 10 weeks and even refused to hold her a few extra days because I had to be out of town and was worried about who would be watching her....that should have been my sign eh?????

[yorkietalkjilly]

I hate to hear things like this and it's times like this I wish we had such strong rules and regs that dogs were so hard to breed and buy, we could somehow avoid things like this. But I realize then only the rich or privileged or connected could have them and they aren't any better at being responsible dog owners than the rest of us. I don't see anything on TV or news articles or any public service announcements about helping dogs except the agencies asking for donations. There seems to be no attempt by our entertainment industry to educate the public about getting too young or too tiny dogs. Unless people find websites like this or run into a responsible breeder, how can they know? It seems very few people take to the internet or breed books before they start to look for a dog - they just start looking at ads and reading a big about the breed but I doubt few try to find out what's best for the dog. And why someone wants to bring home such an infant and separate it from its mom, I can't understand. And then they want to take them out and about everywhere during those tender early weeks, have huge parties to greet their arrival with lots of family and friends visiting and likely scare the poo out of them, if they are a shy or anxious-natured dog or a dog at the fear-imprinting age of 7 - 10 weeks. And the internet is full of one thing - endless complaints of "bad" behavior by dogs! And that is when people do so often go online - when their dog is scared to death of thunderstorms or cars or them leaving the house or loud noises or it's chewing, biting, peeing/pooing where it shouldn't, etc., etc., etc. And the end result - we kill millions of unwanted dogs that largely are killed because of behavior problems or because the little thing got sick or hurt and the family had rather get a new pup than fix the dog they have. When our society is going to man-up and get a grip on mass- and over-breeding and the mass-euthanasia of dogs and address how they are suffering as a species, I don't know.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by rubynrosie

I LOVE this...and how easily written so the new puppy owner can get it!!! Wish this was its own internet page so when people search when can puppies leave mom, this was the first thing they see. The breeder for my first yorkie was trying to shove her out the door before 10 weeks and even refused to hold her a few extra days because I had to be out of town and was worried about who would be watching her....that should have been my sign eh?????

Yes....but there again, unless you are a breeder, you have no idea what all we do for these babies and the mommas and why we do it....so you just did not know!! You certainly can not be faulted for that....and that is what happens....reputable breeders PLAN for that litter...from conception to final sell at 12-14 weeks...we "clear" our calendars and cancel all social engagements and red carpet appearances! Short of death in the family,..... and even then, arrangements are made....we know we are going to have these babies until they are 12-14 weeks old, depending on how the PUPPY is doing/developing/progressing! There is no need to suddenly rush and send them out the door! And if your breeder DOES come up with excuses why that baby has to vacate the premisis immediately, before 12-14 weeks old, there could very well be issues.

[brezofleur]

My friend just adopted a husky/lab mix at 8 weeks (so sad) from the local husky rescue. And this is a rescue, mind you.

They had him fixed at 7 weeks old. I couldn't believe it when I heard that.

I understand why, but on the other hand, I don't... Clauses in contracts and promises don't always lead to responsible owners neutering but 7 weeks...? Flabbergasted.

[Iceecool2]

When I got my Titus it was 10 weeks. I didn't think anything of it because I assumed that puppies leave their mother around 10-12 weeks. I realize now after reading all these posts that it should have been a full 12 weeks. The breeder where we got Titus from already sold a puppy a week prior meaning that poor puppy was only 9 weeks! If we waited longer Titus would have already been sold with the rest of his brothers and sisters. I doubt the breeder would have waited another 2 weeks to sell them. My husband and I tried getting more information about Yorkies thinking that he would know since he has a bitch and is even breeding her. He knew NOTHING. My husband knew more about the breed than the breeder. That breeder was trying to keep raising the price too on Titus to where I almost said forget it but I'm glad the breeder saw it our way and we got Titus. I can't believe people these days...all just to get money and not even care about the puppies themselves.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

It is sooooooo hard to continually see this happening....I know they say large breed dogs can be separated earlier than 12-14 weeks....while getting a puppy 6-8 weeks of age MAY not be the death of that baby, there are several things that "Jon Q Citizen" just does not know....(1) A breeder starts to vaccinate puppies at 8-10 weeks of age...when a breeder lets a puppy go at 6-12 weeks, the breeder is avoiding the expense of giving the vaccinations. They are NOT letting that baby go to you at 6 weeks old because they love you and want to make you happy....the breeder is simply increasing her profit margin!. (2) Puppies 6-10 weeks of age are fragile and this is when they start getting "sick"...they do not handle stress well at that age, and weaning, all the new experiences they are going to encounter cause an enormous amount of stress, so the first thing that happens when you get baby home, DIARRHEA AND NOT EATING!!! Being with momma and familiar surroundings during weaning helps this baby develop a sense of stability and security....but, if the breeder does not have to deal with diarrhea, dehydration, and a vet visit, there again, increased profit margin....she makes you think you will be such a wonderful loving parent, she will allow you to have this precious baby because the breeder thinks you are super....NOT!! She is avoiding that vet bill! I have an 11 week old baby right now that is going to her new owner soon....this baby will go to her new family and she will not be an emergency vet visit on these people because the baby was separated too early and can not stand the stress. She will not have to be vaccinated, because I have paid for all that, so I can watch my baby and how she reacts to vaccinations...if this baby is destined to have a fatal reaction to a vaccination, it will be on ME, not on some adoring new owner who is absolutely gushing with excitment and love for this new little soul. This baby is weaning from momma to kibble...she does not nurse for milk any longer, but momma allows her to suckle at night as they go to sleep....I think this is vital to stabilizing this babys security and confidence for its lifetime....this week will be very stressful on baby becuuse we will be prolonging separation from momma....from most of the day, to include night time....this is going to be stressful for baby, but it will be on ME to help the baby adjust, NOT the new owner.... So when your breeder "is gracious enough" to let you have your puppy at 6-12 weeks of age, dont think it is because she thinks so highly of you and your skills....she is avoiding the cost of keeping that baby an additional 6 weeks, regardless of what is best for the baby. Do you REALLY want to deal with a breeder that cares so little for her babies welfare? It should be all about the puppies, not what a breeder can clear $$$ off a litter she lets go early rather than later....she is not doing you or the baby any favors by letting you take your baby home early.

Should be a sticky somehow. Anybody thinking about getting a very young dog should know about all of these things. And some still won't care. They just want the youngest dog they can get, while it is still so fuzzy and babyish and are quite willing to roll the dice. Then they get on here and post about all the trouble they are having with the puppy!!! And nothing about what the little dog is going through - it's fright, its worry where mommie has gone, its cramping tummy from stress and diarrhea and the immediate food change new mommie started it on or the crate it is living in alone all night and a good part of the day. They don't post about anything from the puppy point of view. They post about its whining keeping them awake, etc. Grrrr. But I have heard that "but I will let YOU have her early if you just have to - I know YOU can manage such a special case......" so many times when talking to breeders!!! Double-Grrrr.

[Lovetodream88]

That is so sad and not the way to get a dog to use a leash. I wish there were stricter laws for people breeding like you have to take classes on you breed and follow certain rules for that breed and stuff.