Puppy Age at Adoption

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I have noticed that there have been a few new members that seem to have adopted their pets at quite a young age (they also seem to have them home already). Not Judging but wondering, I understand there may be circumstances but it has always been my understanding that 8 weeks or older is preferable.

To new prospective owners looking for help I thought a discussion on the boards would be a good place for them to start.

How old was your puppy when you brought him or her home....Daisy was 9 weeks.

[Carol and Banjo]

We got Banjo at 10 weeks of age.  We had read that a pup learns so much from his/her litter mates, especially "soft mouth".  This seemed to be true with Banjo.   Although he would "mouth" us....he never "bit".   At ten weeks he was really "ready" to be with us.   His initial crate/potty training was a breeze.    Waiting the extra 2 weeks was not easy for me...but I think it payed off for all of us....Banjo especially!

[Dori & Rua]

I too, Lisa, was wondering the same thing.  We brought Rua home at 8.4 weeks.  I did a lot of research before getting her and bringing her home.  Not only did I become a DoodleKisses member several weeks before we brought her home, but I found the following website on "New Puppy Support".  It is from the International Doodle Owner's Group.

 

http://www.idog.biz/NewPuppySupport.html

 

Before Rua enters each new stage, I print out the section and read up on it.  I then sit down and discuss with my DH so we are both on the same page.  For example, before Rua hit the 4 month Flight stage, I told my DH that he MUST ALWAYS take Rua outside to potty on her leash (it repeated the importance of it 3 times in 7 bullet points) - we live on a golf course and we have no fence.  It is not a matter of "IF" she will run, it is a "WHEN". 

 

I am pasting the section on Puppy Toddlers Period, which describes why it is very important that they be with their mothers.  Again, there could be certain circumstances where it can't happen, but I agree that it is preferrable.  Hopefully this will help.  I think I will post in Puppy Madness too!

 

Puppy Toddlers Period (3 - 8 Weeks)
“Mom teaches dog manners”
During the Toddler period, the doodle puppies emerge on their own from the litter. They venture into the surrounding environment. These lessons learned in the toddler stage are CRITICAL. Puppies removed too early tend to be nervous, tend to bark innappropately, tend to bite simply because these lessons a mother and littermates usually provides were missed. Training problems and long-term behavior problems can often be attributed to a puppy removed from the litter much too soon.
Beginning at 3 weeks of age, what is going on:
The first lessons learned are dog specific behavioral patterns
* They will learn various postures meanings and their affects to their mother and littermates.
* They will learn how to bite and what it is like to be bitten.
* They will learn what barking and other vocalizations mean and their uses.
* They will learn how to establish social relationships with other dogs.
Beginning at 5 weeks of age, what is going on:
Vocalization and tempered activities (dog manners) usually are learned at approximately 5 weeks of age.
* They will learn how to be submissive to the leader of the pack.
* They will learn and refine additional postures, vocalizations and acceptable dog interaction behaviors.
What the Puppy’s mother will do:
The mother will growl, snarl and snap to communicate. With a few very clear signals and repetitions, the young puppy will learn quickly. At that point a mothers glare or low growl is all that is needed to keep a young pup in line. Littermates also learn clear signals of communication to each other.
Socialization Period (7 - 12 Weeks) and First Fear Imprint Period (8-11 Weeks)
“Lasting impact, rapid learning”
Dogs that are denied socialization during this critical Socialization period often become unpredictable because they are fearful or aggressive. It is during this time, that your dog needs to have positive experiences. They need to be introduced to new things and begin the groundwork to a happy, well-adjusted dog.
Beginning at 7 weeks of age, what is going on:
* Short attention spans.
* Things learned are permanent and will be resistant to change.
* Puppy will be eager to learn.
* What he does and learns now, he will do as an adult.
* Puppy’s temperament and personality will become more apparent.
* Puppy will be transitioning his education from his mother to his human environment.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Rooney's breeder will not allow a puppy to go home till it is 8 weeks, period.  Many of her pups stay for optional training.  Although it was hard - we left Rooney till he was 11.5 weeks.  Some of these puppies that leave the litter and mom too early are in danger of socialization issues.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Guinness was ten weeks when we got him.  He had been separated from his Mom (she went back to her Guardian home) at eight weeks, and the breeder took two weeks to work on his housebreaking and "manners".

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

In many states it is illegal to sell puppies before the age of 8 weeks.

We recently had a dog relinquished to the DRC who had been sold to his owner at 6 weeks of age. He had no bite inhibition and no idea how to get along with other dogs. His previous vet had recommended puppy socialization classes after she found out how young he had been when he was taken from his litter, but he still had a lot of trouble with these issues. At 15 months old, he was still like a young puppy in many respects, and it took a very dedicated and experienced adoptive family to turn him around.

Jack was adopted as an adult, but my last puppy was almost 10 weeks old when her breeder let her go. She was fully crate trained and it took me three days (I am not exaggerating) to get her housebroken.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

We got Harlow when she was almost 16 weeks.  We wanted an older puppy since our beagle boys were 8 at the time.  So Harlow was able to spend time with her mom, sibs, aunts & uncles for the critical socialization period.   Settling her in with the boys went very smooth.  At 16 weeks she was as tall as the beagles and could hold her own at pack play time.

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin was 10.5 weeks old when we picked him up.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Darwin was 12 weeks old when we brought him home. I don't know if it's related to age, but we never had a mouthing problem, ever. He chewed on his toys (and a few of our shoes) but didn't once try to bite any part of us. He was also pretty shy of other people for the first few days we brought him home. Not sure if that was the breeder, or his age, or what. We took him to puppy kindergarten and it totally changed him. Now he loves everyone and will happily leave our side to go meet whoever. He was already 16lbs when we brought him home though, and of course he looked bigger because of his fur. Everyone thought he was already a full grown dog. :-) When I told them his age they were shocked, and a little afraid. LOL.

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

We have always found breeders that kept their puppies until 12 weeks of age.  This way they have had all their shots, a beginning on house training and obedience...

Caeleach was gotten at 12 weeks, Seamus at 7 months CJ DAY 1 (our breeding)  Our Mastiff was adopted at 10 weeks because the breeder had family problems that necessitated that we pick her up two weeks early.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri came home at 9 weeks.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Cooper was a little over 9 weeks. I would NOT take a dog at less than 8 weeks, preferably 9 weeks.

 

 I have seen a few dogs at work who went to their forever homes at 6 weeks or less - and they ALL have behaviour issues (even at such an early age you can tell they are not quite right). Im not saying ALL dogs taken at an early age have issues - im a firm believer that with the right help they can do very well. Sometimes a mother dies, sometimes she is "done" with the puppies early.... but in this case I would still keep them if I were a breeder.... A GOOD breeder should know what to do to help raise the puppies like the mother dog would

 

Id be interested as to what some breeders here will say

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Hunter was 8 weeks when we brought her home.  My friend that is a sheltie breeder doesn't let her's go until they are 8 weeks either.