Age to buy puppy at. Is 11 weeks okay?

[Evan Freymiller]

Hello all, my first post on Doodle Kisses!  I am a student at Florida State University and recently found a breeder who I plan to buy my Goldendoodle from in August.  My Doodle was born on May 21st.  Normally they are allowed to go home at 8 weeks which I wish I could go get her at 8 weeks, but I am interning at Aflac for the summer and will not be able to get her till she is 11 weeks old.  I was wondering if anyone knows, is 11 weeks okay to get her at?  

Will it help or harm her?  I was reading that the 9-12 week is the most impressional time, is this true?  

Is there any advantages/disadvantages to getting at 8 weeks vs 11 weeks?

Thanks for the information!  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Regarding going to the vet to check prices, I'm guessing that would be for an annual visit with vaccines. There are so many other veterinary expenses that you can't calculate until they happen. These dogs are prone to ear infections. One ear infection can cost you $150 for the vet visit, the culture, and the medications. Many, many doodle puppies have parasites such as giardia, which will also run up some good vet bills. You can't calculate those things ahead of time. Even flea & tick preventatives and HW preventatives add up to a couple of hundred dollars a year.

And some of us have doodles with chronic illnesses that could not have been predicted when they were puppies, which sometimes means treatment and meds for the life of the dog, along with some very expensive testing.

Get some insurance. :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

You can go to a few insurance sites and get estimates/quotes

You can do it right now.  http://www.gopetplan.com/

and right on that page it will ask if you want a quote.   Play with the deductibles and the different plans but not buy at this time.  If you do buy, tell the site who sent you and both you and the person who recommended you get a 25.00 gift card.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh and use the discount code word doodles, and there are other discounts too. For micro chipping and I think neuter/spay. Anyway you can get 15% maximum off , 5% for each discount.

[Lori (Wilson and Woody's Mum)]

Wilson came to us at 16 weeks and he was perfectly adjusted and normal.  But like you, I was worried I was getting him "too late."  While the impressionable age of 8 - 12 weeks is critical, a reputable breeder knows that and will continue to nurture the pup.  At 16 weeks, Wilson was mostly potty trained - he only had 4 accidents in the house.  Plus he never nipped once.  NEVER!  I wouldn't think twice about getting a pup at 11 weeks.

Good luck!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Lots of good advice already, I will just say that we got Darwin at 11-12 weeks old and he is the best pup ever. :-)

[Shirley Ames]

I got my puppy at 11 wks, and she is just fine. She learned very quickly, and is very loving.
They do take a lot of time, especially the potty training, but they are so worth it.
She comes up to me every nite while we are watching tv, (well actually my husband is watching, and I am more than likely on my I pad, checking out DK). she manages to squeeze between my legs, and I put my arms around her neck and give her a big hug, and she sits there for awhile and then wanders off.

[Evan Freymiller]

That's adorable!  I hope my Doodle does that!  Thanks for the input everyone!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

J.B., this discussion is almost a year old, lol. 

[J, B & Fozzie!]

New to DK, these email notifications are confusing me.