is anyone besides me amazed?

[scentlady]

I love coming here to yorkie talk and reading all the posts. I even post myself from time to time.
But I never cease to be amazed of how many yorkie owners get their puppies at such a young age. I've dealt with 2 yorkie breeders. one who also showed and judged dog shows and they both were adament about not allowing the puppies to leave their moms until they were at least 12 weeks sometimes 16 weeks especially if they were smaller weight wise.

So I'm amazed when I hear people who get there furbabies at 6-8 weeks. that just seems so young to leave their mom.
Hear my heart, its not a put down just an observation.

Do these babies have more health issues? discipline issues? behavior issues? since mommas teach them so much about socialization.

its just one of those things that make me go hmmmmm

[Cares4Dogs]

Im curious too. Cant wait to see what everyone has to say. Would be nice if someone recieved a dog both at 12 weeks and an early age to get a good comparison.

[Critter]

I can only speak for myself but I didn't really know any better when I got my first dog, he was 8 weeks old when we got him. The second one was just shy of 12 weeks when we got him and this one seems to have more behavioral problems than the one that I got at a younger age. Having said that, I agree with the fact that puppies should not be taken away from their moms before the 12 week age.

[LilMissy]

I got Missy when she was 7 weeks and 2 days old. As far as behaviour or socialization issues, it was OK, but we REALLY struggled with hypoglycemia. There were times when I thought that I might lose her. The REALLY scarey part is that the vet is the one who told Missy's breeder that the puppies were ready to go.

[erickajm]

I chalk it up to a lack of education. I think it is sad... I can't imagine even letting my little ones go that young.. Hell, Zoe is usually still nursing them at 6-8 weeks!

[Krystee]

I got Tobie at 10 weeks and he has done so well. He was completely content and healthy from day 1. He wasn't scared of the older dogs and wanted to play with them from the moment he met them - actually he wasn't scared of anything. He didn't cry during the night at all. He did recently get a little bit of a cold and eye infection but that cleared right up with eye drops and some amoxicillin. Truthfully, I don't think I would have wanted to take him home any earlier. I think 10 weeks was perfect for him.

[erickajm]

the last few weeks before the puppy is ready to go to his/her new home is a crucial time for learning socializing skills. If you watch the mom with the pups during this time it is amazing to see her "teaching" them. There are just so many milestones for a puppy during the 8-12 week period

[MyFairLacy]

It is sad that so many breeders sell toy breeds too young and pet owners aren't educating themselves before buying a pet. Rylie was 7 weeks when my parents brought him home. Luckily he didn't have any hypo issues but he doesn't really interact well with other dogs except lacy and he did not learn bit inhibition. He doesn't bite to be mean but when you give him a treat or play with him he will bite down so hard and doesn't realize it hurts. Lacy was 11weeks and has a much softer mouth. She usually gets along with other small dogs well

[Ladymom]

I am also amazed and very sad at how many people are bringing their Yorkies home so young. I am very active on a Maltese forum and we occasionally see a puppy that comes home at 6-8 weeks, but it is not the norm. It seems here on YT to be the opposite, that it is more unusual to hear of a puppy that doesn't come home until twelve weeks.

I think a lot of the problem is all the backyard breeders producing Yorkies because they are so popular and people not researching the breed or the breeder before buying.

What I find the most amazing, though, is all the people who come here before bringing their puppy home that still bring home a puppy before 12 weeks. I've lost count of the number of times I have posted the 12 week rule taken directly from the YTCA, only to have it ignored.

[Breeze]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I am also amazed and very sad at how many people are bringing their Yorkies home so young. I am very active on a Maltese forum and we occasionally see a puppy that comes home at 6-8 weeks, but it is not the norm. It seems here on YT to be the opposite, that it is more unusual to hear of a puppy that doesn't come home until twelve weeks.

I think a lot of the problem is all the backyard breeders producing Yorkies because they are so popular and people not researching the breed or the breeder before buying.

What I find the most amazing, though, is all the people who come here before bringing their puppy home that still bring home a puppy before 12 weeks. I've lost count of the number of times I have posted the 12 week rule taken directly from the YTCA, only to have it ignored.

I'm really not amazed anymore. But the rest of this post I agree with.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I am also amazed and very sad at how many people are bringing their Yorkies home so young. I am very active on a Maltese forum and we occasionally see a puppy that comes home at 6-8 weeks, but it is not the norm. It seems here on YT to be the opposite, that it is more unusual to hear of a puppy that doesn't come home until twelve weeks.

I think a lot of the problem is all the backyard breeders producing Yorkies because they are so popular and people not researching the breed or the breeder before buying.

What I find the most amazing, though, is all the people who come here before bringing their puppy home that still bring home a puppy before 12 weeks. I've lost count of the number of times I have posted the 12 week rule taken directly from the YTCA, only to have it ignored.

I know! There are members here that still go and bring a 8 or 9 week puppy home! If a breeder is letting them go that young, it automatically tells me they didn't get their puppy from a good breeder

[Breeze]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I know! There are members here that still go and bring a 8 or 9 week puppy home! If a breeder is letting them go that young, it automatically tells me they didn't get their puppy from a good breeder

I agree, there is no excuses. Mom didn't want them, puppies were not feeding from mom anymore.....

Laziness and lack of caring and responsibility is what I see. Plus the pressure from uneducated buyers to get them earlier "But their so cute when littttle".

[JoshieBoy]

Before joining this forum, I thought it was O.K. to adopt a dog at eight weeks. I was taught that at eight weeks dogs were ready for adoption. I learned this information from watching a TV show.

[Breeze]

Originally Posted by JoshieBoy

Before joining this forum, I thought it was O.K. to adopt a dog at eight weeks. I was taught that at eight weeks dogs were ready for adoption. I learned this information from watching a TV show.

That's the thing many larger breeds "may" be ok to adopt earlier, yorkie are not. I also get frustrated by our media at times. I listen to a weekend vet talk show on the radio and the information that they pass out makes me fume!!

Like for example: Any dog food you can buy nowadays on the shelf is good for your pet because dog food companies must do research in todays society because they care sooooo much for your pet and it's health, lol, yeah right!!

But back to the thread. The breeders are suppose to care and better the breed, yorkie breeders should know that 12 weeks min of age before they go to their new homes. New yorkie parents also need to research first. Before you bring your new puppy home go on-line look at what should be done, what they need... Not a week after you bring your 6 week old puppy home and they are sick.....

All we can do is try to educate others for everyone, the new owners and the new yorkies. Talk, talk, talk...

[nanahas3]

Originally Posted by scentlady

I love coming here to yorkie talk and reading all the posts. I even post myself from time to time.
But I never cease to be amazed of how many yorkie owners get their puppies at such a young age. I've dealt with 2 yorkie breeders. one who also showed and judged dog shows and they both were adament about not allowing the puppies to leave their moms until they were at least 12 weeks sometimes 16 weeks especially if they were smaller weight wise.

So I'm amazed when I hear people who get there furbabies at 6-8 weeks. that just seems so young to leave their mom.
Hear my heart, its not a put down just an observation.

Do these babies have more health issues? discipline issues? behavior issues? since mommas teach them so much about socialization.

its just one of those things that make me go hmmmmm

I am a first time yorkie owner with a tiny little guy who was 9 weeks old when I got him(yes from a puppy mill which I had no idea what one was since we dont even watch the news, until I found YT) So far we have been very fortunate. His only problem was when we first got him he wouldnt eat so we had to force feed and water the little guy but after the first few days he has done fine. He is now 5 months old and we havent had any issues so far. Vet says he is very healthy. We were told he would be at least 5 lbs but are having doubts since he is only 2lb 6oz right now but keeping our fingers crossed. No I wouldnt do this again but then again I know not to buy from certain kinds of breeders next time. He was house broke in less than a month also