[Teresa Ford]

Here in Fl. pups and kittens must be 8 weeks old and have a health certificate signed by a Vet, to be sold. I know people give away pups and kittens as young as 5 or 6 weeks old. Many are dropped off at the animal shelter that are very young. Some states do not have puppy age laws. Where the law allows, puppies are routinely taken away from bitch and litter mates at 6 weeks and sold. Mothers start to wean puppies at 4 weeks. Puppy Mills and breeders that are in the business to make quick money, sell the babies as soon as possible. It is not a good idea to sell pups at 6 weeks. Puppies can survive but, they miss out on many important social skills taught buy the mother. Interactions with litter mates are also important and teach a dog how to behave with other dogs. Smaller breeds seem to need more time with the mother, than larger breeds IMO. YTCA says pups should stay with the bitch and litter mates until they are 12 weeks old. (When I had a litter of Yorkies, I did not let them go until I was convinced they were ready. Only one was placed at 12 weeks, one at 14 weeks and the last two at 16 weeks. BUT I was providing the one on one time and early social experiences they needed to become calm, well socialized and secure. Some breeders can not, or will not do that. If that is the case IMHO, the pups are better off when placed in their new home at a younger age. IF the new owner is educated about puppies and what they need. It is very important for puppies to have early handling, grooming, training and social experiences between 7 weeks and 16 weeks. If you would like to learn more about the puppy learning stages, Google this: Super Dogs Are Made Not Born. Also YT has many good threads to read too.