Too Young! What should I do?

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by JUDY's2yorkies

let the parents train them to be great dogs

Right on BABY! It would be interesting if we found out that puppies kept until 12 weeks did so much better in the potty training, biting etc. area than dogs that leave at 6/8 weeks.

[Steelygirl1]

Wow!

I'm learning so much from Yorkietalk! I got my first pup at almost 8 weeks... It was truly a lot of work! I was so excited and uneducated that I just took her when the breeder said she was ready...

Now for my second.. I think I'll wait.. I mean lots of people got their pups early like I did and had no problems but a few more weeks really might make all the difference in the happiness and the socialization of the pup...

Thanks everyone!

Donna S.

[Mydogkelsey]

isn't 8 weeks the law requirement?

[yorkiesmiles]

Originally Posted by JUDY's2yorkies

ok,these may be concedered fighting words,but are only my opinion,I have raised maletse and bassetts in the past and I always let them go to there new homes at 8 weeks,but after joining yorkietalk, I have a whole new attitude..we have an 8 week old pup now,a yorkie male,what he is learning from both parents is a great thing,such as when he started biting as a puppy does,his mom made a growling sound and got him a toy,dropped it at him and showed him how to play and chew it,also,they scold him when he potties and its not on the potty pad,when he makes pee on the pad they give him kisses and you can tell they are praising him,they taught him in the last week that when he is put in his bed,he is to stay there..when he fusses as if he needs to potty,one of them takes him to the pottypad..now if my parents were left with there parents untill 12 weeks,they would have been potty broke,would have chewed on toys rather than anything else,and this morning I watched them try to show him how to go out the doggydoor to the back yard,but it was a failure,it was snowing outside so pup said no way,that stuff is scarry,but watching them they are sure going to make his future home alot better..sorry..but none of my babies will ever leave before 12 weeks..let the parents train them to be great dogs

What a difference just a couple of weeks can make with mom & dad! I used to breed Bichons and initially I did the standard 8 weeks - just because that's what so many have done for decades doesn't make it the ideal situation. My vet had to convience me that even at 10 weeks thee would be a huge change. And if you go 12 you'll be amazed in the difference. These little pups need their parents and litter mates for the socialization and the teaching. We as humans often struggle to communicate to our furballs the behaviors we want them to have. If they stay with their parents a few more weeks, it's less stressful on the puppy and on you (well, except the waiting thing.) Definitely, easier to bring an older pup into a new environment without mom and dad.

It may be that your breeder has just always let the pups go at 8 weeks, she may not know any better or if she's breeding several dogs, she may be trying to make way for more pups. Ask her about her philosphy and let her know you would be more comfortable if the furball stayed at least 2 more weeks, 4 would be ideal - if you can wait!


yorkiesmiles