When did you bring home your puppy?

[RT]

My breeder wants me to pick up new puppy at 7 weeks vs 8. When did you bring your pups home and what do you recommend?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's not even legal to separate a puppy from its mother before 8 weeks of age in at least 25 states, for very good reasons. Puppies learn bite inhibition from their mothers and littermates between 6 & 8 weeks.  I would have strong reservations about any breeder who wants you to take a puppy home before the age of 8 weeks.

Did your breeder give you a good reason for wanting the pup to leave at 7 weeks? 

[RT]

Not really. She says they will be weaned at 6 weeks and vet checked. Main reason is she says everyone else is wanting to pick up early and I can wait until 8 weeks but he will be the only one left.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would question that everyone else wants to pick up early. If they knew how valuable that last week with the litter is, they wouldn't. I hate to say this, but there are some not-so-reputable breeders who like to get rid of them as soon as possible because it saves them an extra week's work of food and work. Most reputable breeders will not let them go before 8 weeks of age, even if the buyer wants that, and you can verify that. 

I don't know if you've read "What to Look for in a Breeder", but you might want to take a look: http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder

[Amy and Annabelle]

Sounds like your breeder should educate her clients on why this isn't a good idea. Just because they really want their cute little puppy asap, there are valid reasons you should wait until at least 8 weeks. My breeder makes you wait 10 weeks and this is non negotiable.

[Amy and Annabelle]

Annabelle's breeder won't let them leave before 10 weeks. Lot of good it did though because she was a little biter for a couple of months there. Anyway that situation would scare me. However, 30 years ago when I got a mini schnauzer from a breeder she let them go at 6 weeks. He was a great dog, but I feel you are taking a chance. I wouldn't do it now. There is a reason they started raising the  minimum age to separate from mom and the littermates. There is a lot they can still learn in that extra week.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

If you wait until your puppy is eight-weeks old, will he or she spend that time with the mother?  Even if all of the other puppies go home a week earlier (which I seriously doubt will happen), your pup will still have that all-important extra week to learn some very valuable lessons from momma dog.  I would definitely wait another week, without a second thought.

[Kris and Sawyer]

We waited to take Sawyer home... Took him at 11 weeks. Wouldn't change that for the world. The longer the better!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

I totally agree Kris!   

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We got Ned at 14 weeks and we didn't have to deal with any of the stuff people who even get their pups at 8 weeks deal with.  What a huge difference several weeks make.

[Chris & Abby]

I brought Abby home at 7 weeks and found out the hard way, it's a bad idea! The breeder told me the pups bond during that 7th week and it should be with their new owner. My puppy never learned bite inhibition because of being removed from the litter too soon and it was horrible. She chewed us to shreds. Never chewed anything in the house, just hands and arms. I should have done some research beforehand and really regret that I listened to the breeder. Abby is almost a year and still is very mouthy. Please don't make the same mistake. Wait, wait, wait. You will be glad you did!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Our breeder does not let a Doodle go home before ten weeks.  Libby was ready for her new home and did very well.  

[SoSa]

We were originally going to get our puppy delivered st 8 weeks. Our breeder who lives 5 hours away had to deliver a week early due to a medical emergency in her family. They were vet checked the day before they were delivered and Ace went to our vet within a couple of days of being in our home. He was in perfect health.

Ace and all of his siblings are thriving. He is 5months old tomorrow.