I just want to say...

[Jemma]

I am one of the very fortunate ones. I received Jemma at 10 weeks. She is now 19 months and is still a joy. I had no problems. She loves all people, all dogs, although I don't let her run free with dogs. Her personality I think was a big blesssing in her going at 10 weeks. As I said, I'm one of the fortunate ones.

[alyx]

I got my yorkie at 8 weeks (as is recommended in the UK) and she's great. Right from minute one of leaving her litter she didn't care. She just beat up the toy I'd bought her for the journey home then went to sleep before we'd even got to the end of her road. She didn't wake up until we got home.

Night one was spent in her crate in the lounge and she got me up twice to take her out. That's it. Went through the nights after that, even though I set it up so she could go if she wanted to in there, or get me up. She's been housetrained since she was 16 weeks, is totally socialised with other people, dogs and other animals. She's brilliant. She's a terrier and doesn't do shy and retiring. She was spayed and chipped a couple of weeks ago and has sailed through all that. She has zero health issuses, is big and strong and growing very well. She's a dream to bath and clip, isn't destructive and is brilliant with my little boy. She's also great in the car, brilliant on the lead and was really good when we took her on holiday. Everyone loves her and she loves everyone. Not bad for a pup who's not even 6 months yet.

My first yorkie was exactly the same. Yorkies shouldn't be timid whatever their age. Not if they're socialised properly and confidently. As someone else pointed out, you should go by the individual pup rather than the age. If they're big, healthy and well bred and reared, there's no reason they can't be brilliant if you get them at 8 weeks.

[jackson25]

Originally Posted by alyx

I got my yorkie at 8 weeks (as is recommended in the UK) and she's great. Right from minute one of leaving her litter she didn't care. She just beat up the toy I'd bought her for the journey home then went to sleep before we'd even got to the end of her road. She didn't wake up until we got home.

Night one was spent in her crate in the lounge and she got me up twice to take her out. That's it. Went through the nights after that, even though I set it up so she could go if she wanted to in there, or get me up. She's been housetrained since she was 16 weeks, is totally socialised with other people, dogs and other animals. She's brilliant. She's a terrier and doesn't do shy and retiring. She was spayed and chipped a couple of weeks ago and has sailed through all that. She has zero health issuses, is big and strong and growing very well. She's a dream to bath and clip, isn't destructive and is brilliant with my little boy. She's also great in the car, brilliant on the lead and was really good when we took her on holiday. Everyone loves her and she loves everyone. Not bad for a pup who's not even 6 months yet.

My first yorkie was exactly the same. Yorkies shouldn't be timid whatever their age. Not if they're socialised properly and confidently. As someone else pointed out, you should go by the individual pup rather than the age. If they're big, healthy and well bred and reared, there's no reason they can't be brilliant if you get them at 8 weeks.

If they are well bred, they WOULD NEVER leave at 8 weeks! At 8 weeks social skills have not been taught yet, hints the reason the minimum age is 12 weeks, social skills start being taught at 10-12 weeks....weight plays a factor in determining when the proper time to place a puppy is as well!

[JDS]

I'm sure some pups may do well even leaving their mom & littermates early. However, I am now convinced that the majority of pups do much better if they are allowed to stay until 12 weeks. In all honesty, I'd rather wait the extra few weeks to make sure than take the chance that I'd be fortunate enough to get a pup whose personality was right for leaving early. JMO.

[Rhetts_mama]

Originally Posted by Nikis2

That is why we really need to get these laws changed. Anyone that buys an ACA or CKC dog is asking for trouble from the beginning. There is only 1 dog standard in this country The American Kennel Club if someone tells you they have some other type of papers for that dog than it is not really a true breed and you are helping and aiding in the abuse of animals. All those dogs started out from a Puppy mill weather the person selling them is or not. They are breeding a poor quality dog trying to get money for it as quickly as possible than on to the next. They probably had the dogs in cages, yanked it out sold it to your friend and the puppy was never properly socialized or cared for from the beginning. ReRe in the making they get even more crazier when people do the crate training routine. How does a brain and bones develop if it is in a cage doing nothing but looking pitiful. So sad!

There are bad breeders in the AKC, too. Unfortunately just belonging to one group or another doesn't mean anything if the breeder isn't ethical.

[luvfaithhill]

Originally Posted by JDS

In all honesty, I'd rather wait the extra few weeks to make sure than take the chance that I'd be fortunate enough to get a pup whose personality was right for leaving early. JMO.

Me too!

[Rhetts_mama]

Originally Posted by JDS

I'm sure some pups may do well even leaving their mom & littermates early. However, I am now convinced that the majority of pups do much better if they are allowed to stay until 12 weeks. In all honesty, I'd rather wait the extra few weeks to make sure than take the chance that I'd be fortunate enough to get a pup whose personality was right for leaving early. JMO.

There is such a HUGE difference in 8,10 and 12 weeks. My babies came to me before 12 weeks. And while I love them to bits, it was harder on them then it needed to be. Scarlett is lucky in a way. Rhett has been awesome in picking up where her litter mates and mom left off because there is only 3 months separating them. We had it rough with him, though, because he was taken from his litter at 8 weeks and we had to work really hard on the idea of bite inhibition with him.

Anyone who has the option of choosing a pup that has stayed with it's litter until 12 weeks should absolutely do it. It doesn't make the slightest difference in bonding. In fact, I think it might actually make it easier because YOU have less frustrations.

[myguyalex]

Glad to hear she is responding so well!! It really is worth it to go to reputable breeder!!

[JDS]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

There is such a HUGE difference in 8,10 and 12 weeks. My babies came to me before 12 weeks. And while I love them to bits, it was harder on them then it needed to be. Scarlett is lucky in a way. Rhett has been awesome in picking up where her litter mates and mom left off because there is only 3 months separating them. We had it rough with him, though, because he was taken from his litter at 8 weeks and we had to work really hard on the idea of bite inhibition with him.

Anyone who has the option of choosing a pup that has stayed with it's litter until 12 weeks should absolutely do it. It doesn't make the slightest difference in bonding. In fact, I think it might actually make it easier because YOU have less frustrations.

I agree!

[jackson25]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

There is such a HUGE difference in 8,10 and 12 weeks. My babies came to me before 12 weeks. And while I love them to bits, it was harder on them then it needed to be. Scarlett is lucky in a way. Rhett has been awesome in picking up where her litter mates and mom left off because there is only 3 months separating them. We had it rough with him, though, because he was taken from his litter at 8 weeks and we had to work really hard on the idea of bite inhibition with him.

Anyone who has the option of choosing a pup that has stayed with it's litter until 12 weeks should absolutely do it. It doesn't make the slightest difference in bonding. In fact, I think it might actually make it easier because YOU have less frustrations.

There should be no option....Reputable breeders do not let their puppies leave before 12 weeks, the person has no choice but to wait. If a person can obtain a puppy before 12 weeks, chose a different breeder!