Then -- I used to think that getting a puppy at 8 weeks was the way to go. Chattie and Chizzie both came home under 8 weeks and they thrived, ate, grew and are wonderful....
NOW -- I am raising a litter of pups, actually, Chizziewink is raising the pups, I am just helping. Anyway, I have learned so much from watching this process, I now believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that pups need that extra 3 to 4 weeks with their mom to learn things that only a mommy dog can teach them. Learning to become dogs will help them to be confident and secure -- think it as puppy kindergarten with their siblings as classmates and mom as teacher.
Most new dog owners who can spend 24/7 with a new pup and monitor the health condition closely can raise up a young pup, but you cannot teach that pup appropriate inter-personal relationships. |