Weaning puppy from mom

[Corey Melillo]

Hi there, just got word from my breeder that my puppies mom is retiring and being rehomed with one of my puppies siblings. In the email the breeder informed us that the pups mom is going to its new home when the puppies are 6 weeks old to get acclimated to Hermes home before the puppy gets there. In all my research I have read it is important for the y to be worth his litter mates and his mother until 8 weeks of age. I wrote her an email politely questioning this, I am stil
Waiting for a response. Do you think I am over reacting or do I have a valid concern? Thank you in advance for your thoughts ;)

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have weaned pups at 6 weeks old and they have done just fine--the momma dog went home to her owners--no problem. I have heard breeders and others say that they learn a lot from the momma dog, but I think this must vary. My dog and the other females I have had here to have litters were besieged by hungry pups at the age of 6 weeks and wanted to immediately leave the area! I eventually had to keep her in a separate area.

But a friend who raises labs had the mom there for 10 weeks and the momma growled at the pups and weaned them herself. She also played with the puppies and taught them different things. So, it really depends on the mother dog. The bottom line is that it will probably make no difference. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

IMO, you are not being overly concerned. I personally would want a puppy to be with his mother until at least 7 weeks if not 8. It's important for bite inhibition among other things. I know that many breeders use guardian dogs who return to their families once the puppies are weaned off mother's milk, but I personally would not be interested in a puppy from that type of situation. However, I am sure you will hear many differing opinions on this, including some from people who have puppies that were separated from their mothers at 6 weeks old and are just fine.

[Lee Seidman]

Due to some unique circumstances we got Lexi when she was 5 weeks old.  She is now four and the love of our lives. She is a wonderful, smart, sweet  girl. We bonded early and actually weaned her from formula. I doubt your pup will have any problem adjusting.

[Adina P]

I hear from many breeders that the mother dog often wants nothing to do with the pups past weaning...that she mostly tries to get away from them.  So my conclusion about all this, since I also believe that pups should not leave before 8 weeks, is that the littermates do the main bite inhibition and other dog-dog teaching more than the mom.  Now I've never raised a litter so I have no experience there.  I do remember that when I picked up my dog Rosco as a pup (8 weeks), his mom was there.  She couldn't care less about Rosco and ignored his many attempts to jump on her and hang off her fur.  In fact she was a very ball obsessed labrador who just stared at us with the ball while Rosco hung off her fur with his teeth.  I often wondered if maybe that's why he was such a mouthy pup--because his mom did nothing to correct him.  But really it's mere speculation.

My other experience watching a mom and her pups was when I visited a breeder with 5 week old pups.  Again Mom mostly ignored them while they attempted to nurse a bit more from her.  She walked around, would stop briefly, but then kept on her merry way.  I didn't notice any mommy 'teaching' the pups much. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

This has been my experience as well, but other dogs I know were wonderful moms--as I said earlier, it varies. My Lyric's pups got no training from her--she was not interested, period. But they other pups did help with bite inhibition as did I! The puppies have made great pets and I have had nothing but glowing reports, so hopefully, if the new owners pick up the training, it goes well.

[Corey Melillo]

Thank yu everyone for your feedback, my puppy will remain with his litter mates for the entire eight weeks!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I wouldnt be concerned with the weaning, from what I hear that is a good time for them to wean as Mom is sick of the pups. but I would be concerned with the pup being taken from its mom that early. Most breeders send the pup home, but at least your pup will be with other pups and maybe other adult dogs too, so bite inhibition etc can still be learnt.