I am so sorry you are unhappy with her right now. I do agree that she was WAY to young to be separated from her mom and litter mates. I can say that the first 4 weeks are pretty easy on the breeder if things go well. Mom does all the work - even pottying them and she feeds them and cares for them - as I said as long as things go well. When they get to 5 weeks - they really start getting around and it gets to be work from then on. Lots of poop patrol and constantly disinfecting and feeding, and cleaning poop and pee. It is alot more work for a breeder. So I guess you know what kind of a breeder you bought from. Now that being said, I find the older age very enjoyable. They are developing little personalities and I feel like the luckiest person in the world when I lay on the floor and get smothered with puppy kisses! My Zoe is a very good mother who lets her pups nurse (occassionally) until the are 10 or more weeks old. I watch her work with them on a daily basis. And I see how much they are like little sponges, learning how to interact and what to expect out of life. I hope I do all the right things and raise loving well adjusted puppies. I really really try! I guess my whole point is that puppies learn ALOT from the time they are 6 weeks to 12 weeks and even older. Your baby got really short changed and it's going to take a lot of work on your part and patience. Is there anyway that you could get her into a small dog daycare type situation where she will be able to socialize with other small dogs? They might be able to help you out and make things easier for you at home. As for the running with the ball... that's just fun! Have you ever seen kids play? Or remember when you were little? What was better than a game of tag? Who wants to go fetch the ball and just bring it back when it's so much more fun to get it and have someone chase you and bring it back. Don't look at it as disobeying you, she just wants to have fun. Embrace the joy a new puppy can bring you! |