What are the negatives of bringing a puppy home at 8 weeks?

[MyPeanutAbbyGra]

"I think it depends on a lot of factors. I'd say to go with the gut... talk to the breeder, meet the folks, meet the puppy"

I think dogs are like people.. they will each have their own personalities no matter what.

I'm in the process of trying to decide when to bring my little Abby home.

[hha]

Originally Posted by MyPeanutAbbyGra

"I think it depends on a lot of factors. I'd say to go with the gut... talk to the breeder, meet the folks, meet the puppy"

I think dogs are like people.. they will each have their own personalities no matter what.

I'm in the process of trying to decide when to bring my little Abby home.

I think you'll find, you can get one at 6 weeks or you can get one at 12 weeks..the thing is, I think the younger they are, the easier they are to housebreak..if I ever get another one(and I'm finding having 4 inside right now is way too many), it will be as close to 6 weeks as possible..

[Ellie May]

I would want to get it at 12 weeks for the reasons listed already (socialization, hypoglycemia...). Since the YTCA says 12 weeks and I want any breeder that I buy from to follow their directions, I would not get get one too much younger than that.

By the way, Ellie came home at about 8 weeks but that is before I knew better.

[hha]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I would want to get it at 12 weeks for the reasons listed already (socialization, hypoglycemia...). Since the YTCA says 12 weeks and I want any breeder that I buy from to follow their directions, I would not get get one too much younger than that.

By the way, Ellie came home at about 8 weeks but that is before I knew better.

I wish you could see the socialization of this one I have..she's terrible, and yes, she was older when I got her..she's constantly biting my little 2 1/2 year old biewer, she doesn't mind, always begs, does everything the opposite of the one I got younger..and shes making me want to rehome her more and more everyday, as she can't get the housebreaking down like the others did..Did you have trouble housebreaking Ellie??

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by hha

I wish you could see the socialization of this one I have..she's terrible, and yes, she was older when I got her..she's constantly biting my little 2 1/2 year old biewer, she doesn't mind, always begs, does everything the opposite of the one I got younger..and shes making me want to rehome her more and more everyday, as she can't get the housebreaking down like the others did..Did you have trouble housebreaking Ellie??

Ellie is 6 years old and still goes inside quite often.
She has separation anxiety but that is probably my fault.
She growls if you try to take food away.
She has snapped before (probably not her fault).

[gutu28]

I would never get one before 12 weeks. I couldn't wait and got Cali at 10.5 weeks and looking back, I definitely regret it. However, I could have NEVER gotten her at 6 weeks! She was so tiny and fragile. I think its so sad there are still breeders out there that let them go so early!

[hha]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Ellie is 6 years old and still goes inside quite often.
She has separation anxiety but that is probably my fault.
She growls if you try to take food away.
She has snapped before (probably not her fault).

LOL you're right, it's not her fault....the obedience trainer said that anything a dog does wrong, it's not the dogs fault, it's the trainers...I can put my hand down in any of my dogs food and they don't dare even try and nip at me or anyone else..out of the 6 dogs, I have gotten all of them at 6 weeks except 2 of them, the one at 11 weeks and my biewer at 5 1/2 mos..but, none of mine have separation anxiety..

[hha]

Originally Posted by gutu28

I would never get one before 12 weeks. I couldn't wait and got Cali at 10.5 weeks and looking back, I definitely regret it. However, I could have NEVER gotten her at 6 weeks! She was so tiny and fragile. I think its so sad there are still breeders out there that let them go so early!

My groomer has been breeding pekingese for years, they all go at 6 weeks, and she has a lot of repeat buyers that lover her pups....I think it's great there are still breeders that let them go early...

[Yorkieluv]

If the breeder is a reputable and good breeder, the pups will not learn fears as someone mentioned, and they will develop good habits while at the breeders...

Obviously, if it's a breeder who doesn't put in the time, at 12 weeks, you might get a dog who has developed bad habits and fears, but that's why you should buy from reputable breeders that *care* about their dogs and want them to be socialized and start the potty training process before they go to their new homes.

Also, what about bile acid testing?? 6 and 7 weeks is so early...I believe Dr. Center (the vet who invented the bile acid test and has been heavily researching liver shunts/mvd) recommends that they be at least 9 weeks, but prefers that they be 16 weeks...

So many health issues can come up when they're so little....They are not even supposed to have their first shots at this point!! Parvo kills....

[y0rkiesR0ck]

hi everyone!

i brought Kash home at 9 weeks, and he's doing awesome (he's 10 weeks old now). he loves other people, and he likes other animals, too (my two cats included, although they don't like him much). he already had 2 shots when i got him, and his third shot will be administered this Saturday. the only thing i think could have been better if i'd waited until he was 12 weeks is the bite inhibition thing because he does bite everything... but that's it. he doesn't have socialization problems, and he eats fine, has TONS of energy.

thanks!
mae

[gutu28]

Originally Posted by hha

My groomer has been breeding pekingese for years, they all go at 6 weeks, and she has a lot of repeat buyers that lover her pups....I think it's great there are still breeders that let them go early...

I guess we have different definitions of a "great" breeder. Personally, I would prefer mine to stick to YTCA guidelines and the numerous amounts of research that's already been done on this subject...

[MeganS]

We got Tucker at 9 weeks (almost 10). He was PERFECT and he is very social, never has any attitude problems, etc. We still keep in contact with his breeder, and Tucker's brother (that they kept) is also a very good dog.

I wouldn't get a dog any younger than 9 weeks. I think anything below that is just too young...that's JMO, but I think 9 weeks is fine. I think that after 12-13 weeks with a breeder and their parents, they've been there too long. By that point, they're attached.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by gutu28

I guess we have different definitions of a "great" breeder. Personally, I would prefer mine to stick to YTCA guidelines and the numerous amounts of research that's already been done on this subject...

I SO agree with what you said...obviously there is a difference of what people consider a reputable breeder A reputable breeder follows the YTCA's ethical guidelines. Reputable breeders do not let puppies leave before 12 weeks of age

[hha]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I SO agree with what you said...obviously there is a difference of what people consider a reputable breeder A reputable breeder follows the YTCA's ethical guidelines. Reputable breeders do not let puppies leave before 12 weeks of age

Well, then, if I were a breeder, I wouldn't be considered reputable, as I would let them go when the vets here say they're ready..I've had them young and old, and I've had a lot better luck out of the young(under 8 weeks), and nothing but problems out of this one I have now..

[chattiesmom]

There are a lot of differences of opinion about what the perfect age to bring a pup home. I am new at the breeding business, we have had three litters, here is what I have learned both as a puppy buyer and puppy raiser-upper....

As a puppy buyer: Chattie and Chizzie both came to me very young - Chattie was 6 weeks and Chizzie was 7 weeks. Under very careful care they flourished and have developed into two very nice well adjusted dogs. Their one big fault is that these two girls hate each other, but I can't blame that one getting them at a young age.

A a puppy raiser: What I have discovered in my limited experience is that from between weaning (mom decides when, not me) and anywhere between 12 and 20 weeks the pups learn appropriate pack behavior and socalization. The pups learn where it is apporpriate to potty - cause they follow in Mom's footsteps. They learn about eating dry kibble (I have yet to sell a picky eater). They learn how to respect their canine family.

All of these lessons are learned gently and for the most part without my direct intervention. If you don't "study" them you would never know what was happening. Somewhere between 12 and 20 weeks when I generally let pups go to forever homes, they are almost completely potty pad trained, they have learned how to listen and to learn. They watch for signals that their behavior is appropriate..... again these things are so subtle that most eyes would never see.