Yup! I have to agree. I got Sadie when she was only 7 weeks old. I thought that was a bit too young..I always thoughts puppies shouldn't leave Mom until they were AT LEAST 8 weeks (didn't know yorkies were supposed to be 12 wks)old...However, I didn't know much about Yorkies and the breeder told me she was ready to go. Lillie (bought from the same breeder) I got at 8 weeks...again I thought maybe too young but, Lillie being with her siblings and Mom for that extra week made a BIG difference. There is definately a difference between Sadie and Lillie..they are both very sweet, healthy little girls but Sadie DEFINATELY has the alpha attitude and can be dog aggressive. We have been working with Sadie on these issues and she is doing very well..I just wish I had found YT BEFORE I bought them.

i think it depends alot on the area. i have never seen an ad in our local paper for anyone selling yorkies with them listed as being older than 6 weeks of age and ready to go. even for the ads that are out of state they are 6 week old puppies. i started looking a year ago before i found romeo so i have seen and talked to dozens of breeders. my neighbor has a little girl yorkie and romeo loves to play with her. we have never had a problem with the two. and yes she was 6 weeks old also when brought home.

I got Lucy when she was about 8.5 weeks old, before I joined YT as well, she just turned 12 weeks on the 10th and she has done well with eating, sleeping and the potty-training thing. She does go after our fingers and toes when she gets excited and does bite pretty hard, but we have two older Yorkie's, one that she doesn't really get along with (the older dog is very spoiled and very jealous of anyone who gets near my mom) and Max will run, chase and play with her. SO i'm hoping she'll learn how not to bite hard and other socialization things from him. Do you think she will?

We brought Higgins home at 7.5 weeks and he did wonderfully. Even managed to live after I SAT on him (I weigh well over 200 lbs). And because he was brought up travelling and living in campgrounds (we were full-time RVers), he is well socialized.

We are retired and had the time to devote to him, and I think it makes a difference. Not sure I would take home such a young puppy if I was working or couldn't devote the time they need at that age.

Every situation is a little different, both the pup's and yours, so go with what feels right to you.

I like this thread. Everyone is gently offering their experience and opinion and no one is judging or getting angry. Bless you all!

I got Tink at 8 weeks from a rescue. She had gone to her home at 6 wks and then was surrendered because she was deaf. She isn't deaf, she was just too little to leave her mom and didn't know what to do. She was still suckling on a toy. It took awhile to get her to listen and follow instructions. She was very needy at first, but she's fine now (just a brat but don't tell her I said that!).

We got Lily at 7 weeks. She is now 4 months and doing great! She is well socialized, eats great, and (I am proud to say) is completely potty trained. I got her when I was finishing up my semester so I had a lot of time to dedicate to her and the training. Whatever you do, goodluck!

lacey
 

i got lacey at 8 weeks and she did great. but i do have other dogs that i think made it easier for her to adjust.

i would be interested to know how many of you that also got your dogs between 6-8 weeks old are able to spend alot of time with them. i am a SAHM so i am here almost all day with romeo unless i am running errands and then it is only for a couple of hours. i think that does make a very big difference wether it is us with them or another dog(s). i don't think it matters wether they were 6 weeks or 12 weeks old - no dog would like to be left alone for hours at a time in a new home.

Mine aren't weaned totally until at least 8 or 9 weeks depending on the moms which I let them decide when they want to completely stop nursing.
Because a breeder has been breeding 10 years doesn't mean she or he is doing things right. Others may have lucked out and their Yorkie was fine.
I wouldn t take the risk also because the pup needs the socialization of the littermates and other Yorkies including the mom.
I never recommend less than 12 weeks of age and older if particularly small.

Thanks
 

Everyone thanks for all your reply's this has been so helpful.

Does anyone know where I can get Nutrical and Karo syrup?

Karo syrup is a white corn syrup in your supermarket.
Nutrical you can often get from your vet over the counter. Some pet stores may carry it. You can also order it from Petedge.com

I work all day and so does my boyfriend and mom but I wake up early in the morning and take her out, spend time with her while she eats take her out again, play adn then she's usually ready for a nap by the time I leave for work. She's there for about 4 horus then I go home on my lunch break and take her out, let her snack, play, for about 30-40 min. then about 3 hours later my boyfriend is home and she is out again.

She really enjoys having her quiet naptime in her cage and never barks when we put her in there. I guess it just depends on the dog's temperament. who knows.

LOL!!! i am going to poke fun at you sallen15 - my son calls romeo's kennel a "cage" also and i told him "he is NOT a wild animal! it is not a cage!" LOL :D we always laugh about that. romeo loves to nap in his,too - if you leave the door open he will go into it to lie down like the good little man he is!:)

As A Breeder
 

I will tell you that what concerns me the most is that the puppy, maybe, will only have had 1 set of shots. I will not even let ppl touch my dogs until they have had 3 sets of shots. A good vet will tell you that the first set is not sufficient, the second set gives a little more, but they don't have the full protection until after the 4th set. Yes, it cost me more, but I work 3 jobs so that I can support my dogs and my passion of showing dogs. If I do have a dog that I need to place, they usually have had all of their shots. Also, it is very important to me that they be socialized by the mother and the other dogs that I own. They learn how to relate to other dogs and it is amazing to watch a pup give to it's mothers will when she is training them. People should train their kids that well. JMO... :aimeeyork

young puppy
 

I think any puppy should be with its mother until 8 weeks at least, probably 10-12 weeks for these tiny ones. They need that time for socialization. My son and daughter-in-law got my granddaughter's puppy at barely 6 weeks. The puppies had been taken away from the mother and the puppy would have been sold to someone else at that age even if they hadn't taken her. She did OK physically, but she's six months old now and isn't potty trained and wants to play bite constantly and doesn't know how to play with my two dogs. My son and daughter-in-law both work and my granddaughter is in school and it's hard to raise a puppy when its alone all day. They love her tons, but she needs some discipline. She won't let you comb/brush her (has never been to a groomer) and she bites a lot playing. She is around my two Bichons often and doesn't know what to do when they try to get her to play with them. I'm afraid there are going to be serious problems with grooming and manners. She knows she is supposed to use her potty pads, but doesn't about half the time. She goes in her crate when told to, but won't come when called. She doesn't walk well on a leash. She's a sweetheart and we all love her. She's affectionate and full of fun, but I worry about her becoming more than they want to deal with. I would like to take her and keep her for a while or babysit her a few days a week, but wouldn't suggest it. I don't want to make them feel like I'm being critical or think I would do a better job. I'm retired and home all day. I worry about her!