Why 12 Weeks?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

i also think it may be a bit steep. Not a popular opinion, but one that is held by many countries.

If a new owner is home most of the time they should be perfectly capable of watching for hypo. As for behavior, the dogs around the dog duringits lfe are going to help shape that. I don't think 12 weeks is wrong. I don't necessarily think 9 or 10 weeks is always wrong either. I see a trend where now it is 14 to 16 weeks. What next? Eighteen weeks to make sure all vaccines are given? Six months so all puppies are altered first? As far as maturnal antibodies and vaccines go, they will be unprotected oth with the owner and the breeder. That is not oing to matter in most cases.

Small dogs do mature faster.
they are at more of a hypo risk, but not just breeders can detect this.
I think I'd sooner take the pup home where I could set up safe socialization situations than wait 12 to 14 weeks while pup sits in an xpen with mom and siblings. jmo

http://avsabonline.org/uploads/posit...ialization.pdf

This is the time when they need to be meeting new people and dogs...

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by mcclaina

I have always met my puppies early, between 3 and 4 weeks. I have also always taken my pup home by 8 weeks and believe in many ways this has made the bond that much closer. I understand the concerns stated by the people who believe differently, but I have honestly never had a breeder ask me to wait until the pup was 12 weeks old before taking her home. In my opinion, most educated people that are responsible pet owners are capable of handling the parenting needs of an 8 week old Yorkie pup.

Sigh this is always an argument. Your dog will not bond any better with you at 8 weeks then 12. The experts who have researched into this say 12 weeks why argue with the experts who know the breed better then anyone?

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

i also think it may be a bit steep. Not a popular opinion, but one that is held by many countries.

If a new owner is home most of the time they should be perfectly capable of watching for hypo. As for behavior, the dogs around the dog duringits lfe are going to help shape that. I don't think 12 weeks is wrong. I don't necessarily think 9 or 10 weeks is always wrong either. I see a trend where now it is 14 to 16 weeks. What next? Eighteen weeks to make sure all vaccines are given? Six months so all puppies are altered first? As far as maturnal antibodies and vaccines go, they will be unprotected oth with the owner and the breeder. That is not oing to matter in most cases.

Small dogs do mature faster.
they are at more of a hypo risk, but not just breeders can detect this.
I think I'd sooner take the pup home where I could set up safe socialization situations than wait 12 to 14 weeks while pup sits in an xpen with mom and siblings. jmo

When I brought Teddy home at 8 months, I wished I had left Max with our breeder that long too.

It was a joy to bring home a perfectly trained dog who was still puppyish.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Maximo

When I brought Teddy home at 8 months, I wished I had left Max with our breeder that long too.

It was a joy to bring home a perfectly trained dog who was still puppyish.

Yes, this is only true if you've found a great breeder, but the average person buys from such a lousy breeder that couldn't care less about socialization and training. I can sometimes see why some people don't understand the importance of the 12 week rule, but I never can understand why a breeder doesn't understand the importance of it.

[Gwenda206]

I think every dog an situation is different . I got both my yorkies at young ages and they are the best dogs I've ever had. Molly was soo easy to train and little Keegan is learning fast.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

http://avsabonline.org/uploads/posit...ialization.pdf

This is the time when they need to be meeting new people and dogs...

great reference. I agree....

[BrittanyVThomas]

I got Mia at 8 weeks from a great breeder and she is such a great little puppy. She's so smart and loves everyone. I think getting the puppy from a good breeder makes the biggest difference over age. I'm fortunate that her breeders live 5 minutes from me and still keep in contact with them...now that's a great breeder! One that likes to hear updates on their babies :-)

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

http://avsabonline.org/uploads/posit...ialization.pdf

This is the time when they need to be meeting new people and dogs...

and be at risk for death from parvo

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Yes, this is only true if you've found a great breeder, but the average person buys from such a lousy breeder that couldn't care less about socialization and training. I can sometimes see why some people don't understand the importance of the 12 week rule, but I never can understand why a breeder doesn't understand the importance of it.

I agree, depends on who the pup is with.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

and be at risk for death from parvo

There is still risk from parvo at the greeder's house. Risk is minimal if it is done carefully. The opinion above is that of licensed veterinarians who specialize in animal behavior including some of the worse cases out there. I have to listen to them before a breed club.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

There is still risk from parvo at the greeder's house. Risk is minimal if it is done carefully. The opinion above is that of licensed veterinarians who specialize in animal behavior including some of the worse cases out there. I have to listen to them before a breed club.

Vets can't be an expert in all breeds there are to many and most will defer to the breed club. Most people are not careful enough to have a puppy that young and plan to crate it for the 8 hours they are at work and take it outside to potty train it right away. I am not talking about greeders. I am talking and good breeders.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by BrittanyVThomas

I got Mia at 8 weeks from a great breeder and she is such a great little puppy. She's so smart and loves everyone. I think getting the puppy from a good breeder makes the biggest difference over age. I'm fortunate that her breeders live 5 minutes from me and still keep in contact with them...now that's a great breeder! One that likes to hear updates on their babies :-)

Did your breeder also do genetic testing on her breeding dogs? Where any of her breeding females under 5 pound?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

There is still risk from parvo at the greeder's house. Risk is minimal if it is done carefully. The opinion above is that of licensed veterinarians who specialize in animal behavior including some of the worse cases out there. I have to listen to them before a breed club.

Ahhhh, greeder was really a typo. lol

[BrittanyVThomas]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Did your breeder also do genetic testing on her breeding dogs? Where any of her breeding females under 5 pound?

Yes they did. And they only had 2 females and one was 5 pounds and Mia's mom was 6 pounds. Her dad was 5 pounds.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Vets can't be an expert in all breeds there are to many and most will defer to the breed club. Most people are not careful enough to have a puppy that young and plan to crate it for the 8 hours they are at work and take it outside to potty train it right away. I am not talking about greeders. I am talking and good breeders.

I agree that if new owner can't be home enough to make it safe for the puppy then they should wait. with a heads up, most owners are perfectly capable of dealing with hypo. I'd hope they could bc there are many other riseases that they may have to deal with throughout the dog's life.

Vets and techs do know quite a bit about breed behavior. They are the ones getting their fingers bit by untrained dogs.

I have never heard a vet refer out to a breed club. They recommend trainers. If that approach does not work they send the dog to a veterinary behaviorist.