Afraid to post but need to...

[yorkieusa]

Hi! I'd just like to welcome you with open arms to YT. If you think everyone on this board got their babies at 12 weeks, you'd be very wrong. I can certainly understand your falling in love with him, so please do not feel bad for that. I think he's going to have a wonderful home and be loved beyond words. So, welcome aboard!

[EsmeeKimme]

Drat lol forgot to answer a question..as to the registration he will be AKC registered. I believe it full registration though it might as well be limited for me cause he won't get the chance lol.

[MauiGirl]

EsmeeKimme, Welcome to Yorkie Talk, and congratulations on your new fur-kid. You are going to be a great mommy to the little one, and there are all these "aunties" here to help you no matter what.

It's good that you are able to stay at home; that is the best way to get things off to a good start with a young one and protect him. It is just like having a baby and you certainly will have your hands full; but it is a joyful time too.

[katarina]

I didn't know about the 12 week rule either and I did so much research! I got him at almost 9 weeks old, he's 14 weeks now and adjusting perfectly, I couldn't have hoped for a better puppy. Don't worry, if you've already fallen in love with him then your mind is set as well. Good luck!

[ArmaniMan]

Hi and Welcome to YT!

I also got both of mine too early- however, they both also have extensive health issues that require constant and expensive care. This is usually what concerns me most- sending puppies home too early is often just one of the signs of a bad breeder, the easiest to see. Many times these puppies (like mine) come home seeming perfectly healthy- mine got clean bills of health from various vets for (months for one, years for the other) before their health issues popped up. I knew better (somewhat) before I got my second one and I still ended up with her- so I understand your situation.

Obviously not all dogs that come home early will have health problems. Only you can decide what you want to do and what your willing to deal with in the future if needed. But regardless of what you decide, you will certainly be welcomed with open arms here- so you should never feel like you can't post something.

Good Luck!

[teacup0819]

First of all....welcome to YT!! You have received the best advice already from some very knowledgeable people so I have no further advice to give other than enjoy your little pup. I had had two yorkies...one I received at 8 weeks from a neighbor who thought it would be nice to have her dog have puppies and another at 12 weeks from a breeder. The major difference was that my first yorkie (8 week old boy) was very nervous and a little nipper if he wasn't familiar with you. He was on the large side when he was given to me and was large all his life (12 lbs). But he lived a very healthy happy life till he passed at age 9 1/2. My Trixie is a little over a year old and is much more secure and so far...no nipping. This could just be personality or it could be 4 additional weeks with her mom and littermates teaching her proper etiquette.

Best of luck to you on the adoption of your newest furbaby. They are just wonderful to live with!!

[laci32]

Originally Posted by EsmeeKimme

Hi I have been lurking and making an occasional post on the board for about a week now and just need to get my situation off my chest. I have been afraid to post because I don't want to be one of those people to all of you and I do want so much to fit in with this community and forum. Out of concern for Riley and myself though I have to post.

I want you to know I did research the breed itself but I seriously did not know about the 12 wks until home thing until I came to this site. I found this site after I had already met him, fallen in love with him and put down my deposit.

In my welcome thread I was told he will be to young to home because he will be about 8 wks so I did contact the breeder and voiced the information and concerns I heard here. She didn't understand my issue because she has been breeding for quite a few years and she says she always makes sure they have the vets ok to come home before she releases them. That is why she gave me an estimate of the 25th not a firm date.

I have looked further and I do not think she is invovled in the show world or whatever either though she tells me she is, I did meet both the parents and they seemed very sociable, happy and healthy. She does not keep them outside in cages but in her home. I did know enough from having dogs before to look at the conditions they were in.

I know from enhaling this forum for days now she is probably not what you would consider a top notch breeder because she isn't doing the titles stuff and because of the letting him go before 12 wks.

I can't walk away from him now though and I just don't know what to do. I fell for him and feel like I have already promised him he is going to be with us. I am not a wealthy woman but it isn't even the non-refundable deposit that has got me all messed up inside, I honestly want him and feel like I love him at this point.

Hubby can't understand my issue, he thought she seemed nice and the parents are great so why am I having problems even though I have shown him where you guys say 12 wks and the person should be "improving the breed".

I am so torn and it hurts to think that if I do what I know I probably will, then I will have to find another forum for us to go to where they won't know I got him to young. That seems deciteful though, and feels wrong to me. Not to mention the fact that I like you people already. I have read so many posts and threads that I feel I have a sense of who some of you are already.

So there it is. I am not a breeder by the way nor would I ever consider it even if I wanted to with him just because of the uncertainly I feel now about the whole thing but I can't promise you I won't pick him up at 8 wks. if I can't resolve that with her, all she says is how well he is eating puppy food now and how they need to go home when the vet says they are safe to do so.

Kimmie please don't ever be afraid to post, I know sometimes you see some harshness and it can make you not want to post. When I first came I admit I was a little intimidated but in time with honesty I became to love it and now I'm hooked .

There is more people than you know that have recieved their puppies before the 12 weeks and that includes me. I was the same way I thought I researched and got all the info I needed to bring my puppy home. I waited for the breeder to call and Andy came home at 10 weeks of age.

Maybe sometimes there can be issues but I have not seen it with Andy. Had I of known about that 12 week thing would I have passed him up and waited for another breeder? I don't know. I do know this I love him with all my heart, He's a good boy.

Having said that please don't get all twisted up about this. Like another poster told you follow your heart.

[laci32]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

I would not back out now...
The reason I say 12 weeks is..most of mine are quite small...a 1 1/2 to 2 pounder at 8 or 9 weeks will as rule do just fine...it is these little 11 or 12 oz things that I read about here on YT that scare me so much...breeders have no concern for the pet owner and the heartache they can face with tiny one...

I do not start vaccines until 9 weeks..most vets are agreeing it is the best age..so I want several shots in mine and to get them over any bumps in the road....
Best wishes....

Andy was 1 1/2 pounds at 10 weeks when I got him. I did the yorkie shuffle across the floor for some time lmao sliding my feet and not lifting them although I bought him a bell. I was scared I would step on him

[KazzyK810]

Welcome to YT. I'm sure there are many of us that got our pups young, but after reading some of the posts on here, were not eager to advertise the fact and face the backlash.

I got my yorkie puppy at 6 weeks old She'll be 14 weeks old tomorrow! Thankfully, she was a very healthy good size pup, but I still took two weeks off work to be with her 24/7 because she was so young & needed around the clock feedings. It's great that you'll be able to be with your lil guy 24/7 too.

I've actually enjoyed the extra time with my puppy while she's young. We are as close as can be, she's already potty-trained, we have our routine down pat and she's a confident lil pup with no anxiety or biting issues.

[dawn27]

You should never be afraid to post here on TY no madder how hard you think people might be on you. (and beleive me / they will) Hope for the best response and just look past the negativity and those who insite drama. Because if you don't "ask" you may just miss out on some really good and informative input from those of us on here who really do care and want to help.

It sounds to me that she may be misleading is some aspects but as far as keeping a puppy for 8 instead of recommended 12 weeks she is actually keeping the pup one week more than the law says that she has to. VA law states that a puppy can be released at only 7 week of age. (which I think is too young) every state is different, as well is every breeder practice of how long they choose to keep the puppies before turning them over the their forever homes. Even here in Ohio the law states that we must keep our puppy together with its mother for at least 8 week of age. I keep my pups longer if needed depending on their individual progress and of course size is a big factor as well.

I say go for it...... Follow your heart ! But be prepared for anything.

Overview of Puppy Age Sale Laws


Virginia mandates that a puppy be at least seven weeks old. Other states focus on the separation of the puppy or kitten from its mother in addition to specifying a minimum age.

Here is a link for more on the laws in VA on the requirement of the breeder before releasing a puppy.

Virginia Consolidated Dog Laws



[BanditSocks2]

Everyone's already posted great questions to ask and what to be sure to have on hand, but I had a suggestion. Could you say you're going on a suprise vacaction, so could she hold the puppy for 2 more weeks? That would buy you at least 2 more weeks of the pup learning from it's mom and then she wouldn't get defensive or anything?

Welcome to YT

[Charlies Mamma]

Ok I really just skimmed through the posts so someone may have already suggested this but if you explained your concerns to the breeder would she keep him a few more weeks knowing you really wanted him and that you were simply looking to have his best interest at heart?

[Jennxling]

If he's the one, go for it! I got Carmel when he was 8 weeks old. You will just have to put more work into it. If you're willing to, then all will be good. He will have to learn to socialize, so bring him to the dog park or have playdates with other small breed dogs/puppies. He will also try to chew/bite everything, you will also have to teach him it's not okay...He may also bite while playing (something they learn from their litter mates), but you just have to be firm and teach him that it's NOT okay. Alright....ready for the next one??? He will/may attempt to eat his poop...and you will just have to teach him not to as well. It's ALL WORTH IT when all of this is taken care of....and of course...potty training

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by EsmeeKimme

Drat lol forgot to answer a question..as to the registration he will be AKC registered. I believe it full registration though it might as well be limited for me cause he won't get the chance lol.

Full registration.....if it were me I'd walk away. This breeder right off the bat has no concern how her pups will be used.

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Full registration.....if it were me I'd walk away. This breeder right off the bat has no concern how her pups will be used.

i have to agree. she's letting em' out the door too young and she doesn't seem to have a care in the world if others are breeding them. just not someone i would want to give my hard earned money to. going on a limb and guessing her health guarantees will not be enough to actually cover the puppy against genetic defects for life or barely even a year at that.

i know your heart is set, but won't it hurt that much more if you happen to get this baby boy and he's suffering and sick all the time and you have to have your heart broken knowing something is wrong for his whole life?

only you can make the final choice, but really think it over hard and pray about it too. make sure that the love for the puppy isn't the ONLY reason and make sure that it's worth supporting a breeder that will only keep on breeding and doesn't seem to care about whether her pups are put into puppy mill and bad breeding homes (not that you are one of them, but open registration means anyone can do anything with them)