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Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom  I got Wylie at about 10 weeks (but, I actually wonder if he was 8 wks) and I didn't know much at all about yorkies at that point except about 2 weeks of research - I did know about what supplies to get and that they were prone to low blood sugar. He did have one or two episodes, which he came out of very quickly w/ nutrical. He was quite sturdy and about 2.5 pounds when I brought him home.
With Marcel, who I knew was a tiny - I didn't bring him home until he was 16 weeks old - he weighed 1 pound 4 oz at the time (he is now a sturdy 3 lbs as an adult). Even at 16 weeks, he was FAR more vulnerable than Wylie - but not in terms of hypoglyc. or anything (he never had a single episode) - more just his size at that point and how it relates to safety and vulnerability. I am SO glad I waited until 16 weeks. I mean, I'm a nurse for pete's sake, and I still didn't feel adequate at times to care for such a wee one.
As far as socializing and stuff, I can tell that Marcel (who was kept longer by his breeder) was far better off right from the beginning - he was then and is now much more secure, easy going, easy breezy, feels safe, no separation anxiety whatsoever, very relaxed - than Wylie was and is. I'm not sure if that's bc Wylie was taken more early from his mama or what - but there is quite a difference. I'd be interested to hear any breeder thoughts on that. It could just be personality, so who knows? |
There are so many factors to consider that develop a puppy's personality. From my 12 years of experience I do know that many personality traits are inherited. I have one momma that is terrified of storms and she passes this trait on to her babies. I have some females that are calm and gentle and their pups usually follow their moms personalities. If you have a female that is a alpha female or one that has behavioral problems then that female can pass along some bad habits or traits.
You have to consider more than just the age of the pup but also how the pup is being raised. Just because a puppy is kept by a breeder until it is 12 weeks old does not mean that it has been properly socialized. I have seen and heard about many dogs from show breeders that have lots of socialization and behavioral problems because of how they were raised.