How old should pups be before bringing them home?
 

Hello everyone!

I am so excited!

One of my ex-wife's Yorkies is having an unexpected litter in the next few weeks. The father is our older Yorkie from when we were married, our boys' dog. Since they're my grand-pups, she's giving me two of them. I'm just getting back into a house after being in an apartment and being pet free for several years and am very excited. Naturally, I'll be extremely anxious to bring my little bundles of love home as soon as possible so I can start spoiling them. No matter how anxious I am though, I want to do right by the pups and give them every reasonable opportunity to have a happy, healthy start. On that note, how long should they stay with their mother?

Everything I've read on the Internet says the pups should be weaned around 7 weeks or so and should stay with their mother from 8 to 12 weeks. 8 weeks seems normal and 12 weeks sounds sort of excessive. I've spoke to several vets in my area and they all agree that, assuming the pups are eating solid food and having good bowel movements from solid food, they should be fine to take home at 8 weeks old. Most of the web sites I've read that promote leaving the pups with their mother longer than 8 weeks say the extra 2 to 4 weeks help with socialization skills, etc.

What is the opinion of the other owners (parents) on this board? 8 weeks? 12 weeks? Somewhere in between? I'd appreciate any advice anyone might be able to provide on the subject. Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,
- Byron Followell

esspecially with these little ones i would lean more twards the 12 week mark, how fun to have two little bundles growing up together

The breeder we got both our girls from said yorkies should not leave their mother until at least 12 weeks old. That would be the min. He told us if we found a breeder that wanted to get rid of their pups any sooner to stay away from them. I trust our breeder and have always went with what he has told us. He has not failed us yet. We also love our vet he recommended. You also want to do what is in the best interest of your pup.

I personally think 12 weeks. I know alot of breeders out there agree with this, especially with the smaller babies. I have heard of some people bringing their babies home at 9 or 10 weeks, but I truly do feel that they need to be with the mother longer (and no offense to those that brought their babies home at this age). Both of my babies came home with me at 12 weeks of age.

I first saw my baby at 8 weeks and the breeder didn't know then when she was going to let me bring her home. She said maybe another week, maybe up to two. When I called the next week she had just been to the vet again and the breeder said come on up, so she came home at 9 weeks (she's 13 weeks now). She was unhappy the first 24 hours (including the first overnight) not sleeping, not liking the crate, not eating. But she was used to the crate by the 2nd day and after I force fed her some nutrical she started eating - turned out for some reason she didn't like the food the breeder gave me but seemed to LOVE the stuff I bought.

This is the first tiny dog I've had, every other dog I've had we got at 8 weeks.

Congrats on your new babies! And get ready for lots of work!

Our puppies go home around 10 -12 and usually it's always 12 weeks of age. Yes, at this point the Mothers have very little and they are a LOT of work! This is the time when they learn from the other litter mates what is acceptable and what is not. If they bite their mothers too hard she will let them know it!

I think 10 weeks is reasonable. 8 is really quite young. They do learn a lot of socialization those extra few weeks. And that could make a big difference in their behavior after you get them home.

What they are learning is good dog etiquette. the playful biting will be more gentle, and they will respond better to you as the pack leader, because they will have been taught subordination.

So I know it will be hard to wait, but I think all in all it would be better to wait till 10 to 12 weeks.

Hi and welcome. How exciting for you to get them.
I think most say 12 weeks.
However, I got Winstin at a little over 8 weeks and he was just fine.
I made sure he ate so he did not run into trouble. He also spent every moment possible with me. I have made sure he has been around other dogs and puppies and I think that helped a lot with social skills. Actually all three of my dogs came home at 8 weeks and all have been wonderful. My big girls like to play with all of the neighborhood dogs. One of our neighbors has a beagle that just loves my girls. However, Winstin is to little so he misses out on that play time.
You could see how the pups are doing at 8 weeks and go from there. I to think 12 weeks seems a bit long. But, I am no expert. :)

No younger than 10 weeks. 12 weeks is best

I brought both of mine home at 8 weeks, Aubrey was fine, but Dakota struggled so I would reccommend 12 weeks.

I brought both of mine home at 8 weeks. My Harley was a biggie pup but my Shooter was the smallest in the litter. I haven't had any problems. I am a stay at home mom so I am home all the time with them.

I think it all depends on the pup. I got both of mine at 8 weeks. and they did great, but I was with them 24/7.
I never let my pups go until after 10 weeks. if they are very small I hold onto them a little longer.

Congrats on getting 2 baby's.

Welcome to YT and congrats on the upcoming litter!

Bringing a yorkie puppy home before 10-12 weeks of age is just asking for trouble IMO

YT has lots and lots of great info for you to read. Now is the time you can be reading up and getting all prepared for your home coming!

You can be getting all the nessessitees you will need for the puppies!

I can't wait to see lots of pics of your babies!

I bought both mine home at 8-9 weeks and they have no problems.

I've always thought the rule of thumb for yorkies was 2 pounds or 12 weeks. My vet says when they are eating on their own and going potty fine then they can go home, after he vet checks them. To make sure teeth are in ok and everyone is healthy. I have let a few of the bigger ones go home at 9 weeks. My moms won't feed them anymore after 7-8 weeks anyways. But the smaller (under 2 pounds) stay with me until they are 12 weeks. I tell all my people that are getting a puppy that we have to play it by ear for the pick up date. But I never get their first shots before 8 weeks and then keep them with me for at least a week after.
Good luck with your new pups.