take home early???????

[Heidi and Fonzie]

 So We have been visiting the litter since they were 2 weeks they are now 7 weeks. We were planning on taking Fonzie home on Fri. or Sat.  Of course it is suppose to be snowing and VERY cold like 9 degrees... It is Beautiful now in the 60 for the next 2 days..( thats Colorado for ya). I was thinking it might be a good idea to take him home early so he could get used to our yard and be easier transition while the weather is not so nasty. Do you think a half of a week really makes a difference???????

[Bonne Bouche]

Yes it does, sorry. Most breaders wouldn't consider it...

[Linda And Loo]

Discuss it with your breeder.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I think it matters, too. I would not take home a puppy before 8 weeks of age and I got both of mine after 10 weeks. Puppies learn a great deal from their mother and litter mates about bite inhibition, etc. during these young weeks. I would pick her up later, rather than sooner, if it were me. Good luck!

[Heidi and Fonzie]

uggghh!! You guys are killing me here ...lol.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It matters in the long term big time. It is best for your pup, but not for you. Think of him ;)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Actually if it is weather, then wait until 9 weeks - even better for your pup!! That way the weather is supposed to level off too

[John and Finn]

There is nothing magic about 12:01 AM at the 8 week mark.  That is a general guideline.  Some puppies may even need longer.  I waited 10 weeks for Finn.  Usually It is based upon how long the puppy has been weaned (emotionally) from its mother.  Some puppies can take awhile to adjust to the process and others adjust quicker.  

My breeder claimed Finn was ready at 8 weeks and I was tempted but I waited.  Finn is great with other dogs. Even other dogs who have behavioral issues and don't play with other dogs will play with him.  I believe because he stayed with a few of his liter mates a little longer.  So in the end if you cannot get him at 8 weeks you may need to wait longer.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-weaning.aspx

http://classic.akc.org/press_center/akc_syndicate/ask_AKC/0607.cfm

[Heidi and Fonzie]

John, Thank you for your time . This does help me to decide to wait at least a few more days.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I would also encourage you to wait until he is at lease eight-weeks old. I know how hard it is to wait, but everything will be much easier in the long run. If the weather is forecasted to be so freezing, I'd wait until after the cold snap.

[Jennett Pulley]

I brought Lolli home on her 7 week minus 1 day birthday.  She was fine.  She didn't whine in the car, she potty trained quickly, she slept through the night from day one (I did sleep on the couch next to her crate for the first few days), she ate, drank, pooped and played from her first day on, etc.

That said, I also took the first week she was home off work, my husband took the mornings off the second week and I made sure I was home soon after he left and the third week we reversed.

Some of the members of this forum made me feel really bad about our choice and I understand that our situation wasn't ideal, but Lolli is WONDERFUL and because I wasn't a fan nor did I trust our breeder for MANY reasons, it was the best choice for us.

:)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I don't think anyone wants to  make anyone feel bad in a forum.  But, some of us have had experience with dogs that are a life-long challenge.   People ask us, like Heidi has, what would be best. And, the best is 8 weeks or longer.    It really has to do with bite inhibition and a few other life-long traits.  So, if one can avoid a life-long issue, I certainly don't mind recommending,sharing an experience, even if a human may have a few bad feelings. Certainly, it was not the intent here or elsewhere.  It should never be taken as an insult.  It was given as advice was asked.  What would be good in the long run for this pup and its new family-Both. 

http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/earlysocialization.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100223192554AAJW8ur

http://www.experts123.com/q/how-old-should-a-puppy-leave-its-mother...

and a million more articles stating--not the best idea for all involved.

Best wishes on your new pup. Congratulations

[Bonne Bouche]

For this very reason, Pennsylvania law FORBIDS it...

(b) Illegal to transfer ownership of certain puppies.--It shall be unlawful to barter, trade, raffle, sell, auction or in any way transfer ownership of a dog under eight weeks of age, unless the dog has been orphaned and it becomes necessary to transfer ownership of the orphaned dog to a nonprofit kennel, or from a nonprofit kennel with approval by a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine.

 

I also didn't mean to be short previously, but I am 100% with Joanne. I recognize that 7 weeks 6 1/2 days isn't magically better than 8 weeks, but in Pennsylvania it legally matters.

 

We looked at two litters at our breeder, one was 8 weeks to the day, the other was 10 weeks. We planned on a pup from the younger litter, but BB chose us and home he came with us at 10 weeks and 15 lbs. We have had mnay fewer issues with him than it seems many people here at puppy madness with their pups, None of the crazy biting that I hear horror stories of. Is this due to breeding? Diet? the fact that he gets a crazy amount of exercise? Or maybe it is that he stayed with mom and buddies for 2 extra weeks? Who knows. I LOVE my BB, and I know you will love your doodle, too!