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Originally Posted by yakkwak  I'm glad I ran across this thread. It brings up a question I've been mulling over. It sounds like the overwhelming majority are saying that it is unsafe to bring home a puppy before 10-12 weeks for physiological reasons, particularly for the smaller pups. Let's assume (and I am) that this is correct. How does this fit in with known "experts" that say generally that a puppy is well into a very formative period by that age and should get a lot of individual care and behavior training (not necessarily though ready for rugged potty training physiologically). If it is also true that very FEW breeders are able to give that depth of time (imagine just one large litter) and attention, and that it is also true that the breeder cannot substitute for the owner (I hate that word, but am using for lack of a better one) when it comes to bonding and introducing the structure of the new home, then can one logically assume that toy breeds like the Yorkies are, by nature, at a disadvantage when it comes to maximizing the socializing of a pup (this doesn't mean no socializing!)? In other words, how much importance do you place on the psychological & social health during this critical period? Inquiring minds want to know - I guess because of my behavior training background, it is important for me to hear opinions about this. Do some breeders think that perhaps the Yorkie pup is behind (slow to mature) developmentally in these areas so that they are not "missing" opportunities in critical periods by staying with the breeder for up to 12-14 weeks?
I dealt with something similar when I purchased my macaw baby. Only because of my past experience in breeding parrots, was I allowed to take home my macaw before he was fully weaned. This gave me the advantage of beginning socializing/behavior training/bonding at a very critical, early developmental stage while not jeopardizing his health.
Whatcha think???? Am truly curious to hear sound opinions!! I dont' see much emphasis in the posts I've read about these factors. Thanks!
PS: Some of the experts I was referring to include Ian Dunbar & Nicholas Dodman. |
A great breeder IS socializing the dogs the entire time they have them. If a breeder doesn't have time for their litter they shouldn't be breeding them. If a breeder wants to push out a puppy at that young of an age then they are only in it for the money and not for the actual development of the dog. Yorkies are tiny. They barely weight a couple pounds when they are 10-12 weeks old. They are barely weened at all. And it's crucial in their developmental life to be with their mom and littermates to learn things like bite inhibition (aka when you bite me OUCH that hurts me) and also how to just be a dog. Yes bonding to their owner is a good thing, but most great breeders get the new owner involved in the life of the puppy from the time they are born. Good breeders have the owner on a waiting list and the owner is able to be around the puppy plenty of times before it goes home and if they are unable to do so, the breeder themselves are socializing and home raising the pups to be around and be loved by people. Some breeders even start the potty training process for new parents. It really just depends on whether the person is breeding for the love of the breed and takes that time to really do their part and their job or if they are greedy people pushing pups out early just to make a buck and clear their kennels for more and more puppies.
http://www.yorkiepassion.com/puppystages.htm