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

[y0rkiesR0ck]

Originally Posted by MeganS

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.

I agree with you. Staying at the breeder for too long could cause them to develop too big of an attachment to that environment. I don't think my Kashi even thinks about his old life anymore...

[Ladymom]

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 couldn't agree more. Any breeder who blatantly violates the breed club's code of conduct is not a reputable breeder.

CODE OF CONDUCT

8) All puppies leaving the breeders possession will be a minimum of twelve (12) weeks
of age to facilitate adequate socialization as well as appropriate emotional and
temperament development through interaction with siblings, dam and other dogs.


http://www.ytca.org/ethics.html

[hha]

I'm glad YTCA has done all this studying..I bet if they came to my house, they would never be able to decide by the way they act which one I got at 6 weeks and which one at 11, infact, I'd bet $1000 that they would totally get the 2 of them mixed up..

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by hha

I'm glad YTCA has done all this studying..I bet if they came to my house, they would never be able to decide by the way they act which one I got at 6 weeks and which one at 11, infact, I'd bet $1000 that they would totally get the 2 of them mixed up..

I could never tell anyone that it is okay to get a toy breed at 6-8 weeks of age. Yes, they might survive and be just fine, but what if they don't? How would you feel if you told someone it was fine and then their dog died from hypoglycemia which could have been prevented if the pup stayed a few weeks longer? I know I would feel horrible about it. What if the puppy ends up having liver shunt which could have been checked for at 12-16 weeks of age? Now the family has had the puppy for 4-8 weeks and is in love with it and are heartbroken because their puppy has a major defect..and it all could have been prevented if the puppy was older and had been BAT before leaving the breeder.

There is just no reason for a puppy to leave that early except out of pure selfishness. A breeder would only let a puppy go that young because they either don't know any better or are being lazy and don't want to take care of puppies any longer. And anyone that will only bring a puppy home that young is being selfish and not looking out for the best interest of the puppy. It is proven it is better for the puppies to stay with their breeder, mother, and littermates longer.

The YTCA members have been showing and breeding for years and years...they know more about the yorkshire terrier breed than most YT members combined. I'm pretty sure they have their rules for good reasons...mostly FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE DOGS!

[DianeW]

We Brought Harvey Home At 8 Weeks, And He Was Naturally Fearful At First, I Think That Would Have Been The Case Even At 12 Weeks, Leaving His Mum And All He Knew.

He Soon Settled Down And Has Been A Joy To Us, With No Socialisation Issues, He Loves Meeting All Other Dogs, And People Too, As Long As They Dont Try To Pick Him Up - He Doesnt Like Being Picked Up By Strangers Or People He Doesnt Know. But He Thinks Everyone In This World Is Only Here To Meet And Greet Harvey!!!!!!!!

[SadieSaysYes]

We made *two* bad decisions regarding our introduction to Sadie Girl..

We brought her home at 8-weeks old from a pet store (gasps all around, lol).

I know there's both good and bad in regards to bringing your puppy home early, and I know the feelings regarding getting your baby from a pet store.

That said, we have been INCREDIBLY INCREDIBLY lucky with Sadie. Knowing now what I know, I probably would never again get a puppy from a pet store, but in Sadie's case, I am SO glad I did. I can't imagine not having THIS SPECIFIC Yorkie, lol. We have had no problems with her whatsoever; we chose to pee-pee pad train her and take her outside on random intervals. She's almost 1.5 years and completely pee-pee pad trained and also will go outside (if we take her). She's very healthy, eats like a horse (LOL), gets along with every human she meets, and LOVES other animals to death. It's funny, knowing the statistics w/ pet store puppies, because it's almost like Sadie is the EXACT opposite. We were so, so lucky.

Found out after we got her and did our research (a little backward, I know) that she came from one of the biggest puppy mills in America. I feel horrible about that, but at the same time, she was born there regardless, and I can't imagine not having her, you know? We're just lucky she turned out so good. No emotional issues at all (unless you don't play with her when she wants...:P)

Instead of from da hood, Sadie's tough cuz she's from da mill..... bad joke, I know....but she's a toughie!!

[bjh]

Originally Posted by BubblPopElectrc

I'm curious as to what the negatives are of bringing a puppy home at 8 weeks?

I brought both Britney and Brooklyn home at 8 weeks (Britney might have been 9 weeks) and they have always been both mentally and physically healthy.

ETA: I just wanted to mention that I know just because nothing negative happened with my two, that nothing negative comes out of taking puppies home at 8 weeks- hence the reason I am asking.

Here is a great website that has very good information on puppy socialization:
http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/ear...alization.html

Puppy socialization begins with the breeder. Just because a breeder keeps a puppy until it is 12 weeks old does not mean that puppy was properly socialized, that is why it is important to ask questions about how the puppies are raised. Also, a puppy might have been keep until 12 weeks and the new owner might take that puppy home, stick it in a crate, neglect it and not continue with proper socialization.
Over vaccination can also be contributed to many of the behavioral problems:
http://www.deide.net/misc.html

[BamaFan121s]

I don't think that it's impossible to get a pup at an earlier age and have success with the outcome. I do however think you are taking a much bigger risk that is easily avoidable. If you do have a positive experience, chalk it up to luck and knowing how to handle the situation, but don't assume that the result would be the same every single time. Like pointed out, the YTCA and many experienced, respected breeders didn't get bored one day and come to the consensus that 12 weeks should be the standard age of release--it's a belief that derived from years of experience and research. (Not to mention that release at 6 wks is illegal in many states.) To think that one or even a handful of success stories with getting a pup earlier should overshadow and disprove that is ridiculous. I would hope that anyone advising those learning about this breed would base their advice on more than just one personal experience...or even several for that matter.

[Ladymom]

Here's a table that shows the puppy age sales law by state:

http://www.animallaw.info/articles/o...ysaletable.htm

[Ellie May]

What if a pup was sold at 6-8 weeks and the owner goes to work for 8 hours a day. Kibble is left out but pup doesn't want to eat. Owner comes home to a dead pup from hypoglycemia. There is less chance of this happening at 12 weeks, so it is better for the pup.

And if a breeder can't do something as simple as hold a pup til 12 weeks (10 or 11 might be okay but not optimal), then we can just about bet that they aren't bile acid testing parents, checking for LP...

[Chrissy0277]

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??

Did you ever think it could just be her personality and not the fact that you got her at 12 weeks. Or maybe its something you are doing and not realizing it.

[gutu28]

Originally Posted by hha

I'm glad YTCA has done all this studying..I bet if they came to my house, they would never be able to decide by the way they act which one I got at 6 weeks and which one at 11, infact, I'd bet $1000 that they would totally get the 2 of them mixed up..

There are always exceptions to every rule. But, you are not in the majority..

[Chrissy0277]

I was at the vets office the other day and there was an 8 week old pup there having hypoglycemia problems

[hha]

Originally Posted by Chrissy0277

Did you ever think it could just be her personality and not the fact that you got her at 12 weeks. Or maybe its something you are doing and not realizing it.

No, I've had dogs all my life(51 years)...she is totally different than the ones I've gotten younger..as I said, everyone has a preference, mine is to get them young, but, again, I am home 24/7 too

[gutu28]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

There is just no reason for a puppy to leave that early except out of pure selfishness. A breeder would only let a puppy go that young because they either don't know any better or are being lazy and don't want to take care of puppies any longer. And anyone that will only bring a puppy home that young is being selfish and not looking out for the best interest of the puppy. It is proven it is better for the puppies to stay with their breeder, mother, and littermates longer.