[Gindyhead]

Hi there,
I just got an email saying that Bailey has now been weaned from his mother - he's five weeks today. She is going to have him have his first shot within the next week. She says we can pick him up as early as next weekend when he's six weeks. My vet told me so long as the puppy is weaned, eating on his own, and has had at least one shot, he's good to go. Reading answers on yahoo etc... says, smaller the breed, longer with the mother, between 8-10 weeks. Obviously we're excited to bring him home, but I can wait until 7 weeks. Some answers I saw were mainly about socialization and behavior between puppy and other dogs and people. Bailey has been handled every day and is with his litter mates, and when he comes home, he'll be handled every day... every minute probably, plus he'll be around a very loving older dog who will want to be with him always. So, do I get him at six or seven or eight weeks?

 

[DaisysMom]

I got Daisy at 10 weeks, and I will be picking up my newest family member Max when he is 8 weeks. I think that they should stay with their mother for at least 8 weeks, but that's just my opinion. I have heard that it is fine at 6 weeks too.

 

[Gindyhead]

Well, let me ask a silly question and it's going to sound like I know nothing about dogs, but... if he's weaned from Mom, but is still hanging out with Mom, sleeping with Mom, cuddling up with Mom, plus the other five puppies, couldn't they start drinking milk from Mom again? Does the breeder only give limited access to Mom now that they eat on their own and are weaned? (I guess I should just write to the breeder, but I do value all of your opinions).

 

[Brisen]

I personally think 6-7 weeks is still a little young, for all the reasons you mentioned...socialization, behavior, interaction, etc.

Eight to ten weeks would be ideal, but whatever you decide, it sounds like Bailey will do just fine. I know how hard it is to wait those extra couple of weeks. We were so tempted to bring Maggie home at 6 weeks, but instead waited until she was 9 weeks.

Let us know what you decide...and of course pictures of her welcome home!

 

[weed30]

IMO, 8 weeks is minimum, and personally, I would not take a pup from its mom until 10 weeks. I sincerely believe that those extra few weeks have a very positive impact on a puppy.

 

[Murphys Dad]

I'll go with 7-8 weeks, leaning more towards 8 weeks. It's about the time puppies start getting less attached to mom. Also, it's the ideal time to start socialization.

 

[Sephly]

Dont do it!!! I got mine at 6 weeks and honestly they NEED the time with their littermates. My dog nips like crazy because he didn't spend enough time with the other puppies to learn that nipping hurts, and is a bad thing. We're trying to work to get rid of that bad habit but believe me they need that socialization. Its not just being handled by people.

 

[KelliShaver]

We got Elvis at 7wks, but we didn't have a choice. He's done fine, but he did need a lot of extra attention. We also have an older dog in the house who's had two litters of pups and was very motherly toward him.

I do think they do better if they're with their mom and littermates for at least the first 8wks.

 

[angelaH]

The longer the better with his mum and siblings. We reared 12 puppies and didnt let them go until they were 8-10 weeks. Dont worry, the mum soon lets them know when they cant feed off her anymore.

 

[MariaK]

I have to agree the longer the better. Blue was the last puppy to leave the litter and was much easier to deal with being taken the four hours that we had to drive. Of course, he is scared of everything but that is what we get for picking the quietest puppy in the litter who stayed out of all of the puppy wrestling and mischief.

 

[Zookeeper]

I've done both. Roscoe we got at 6 wks and Cassie was 8 weeks. Duke was almost 12 weeks and to be honest, Duke was more of a nipper than the labs, but that's mainly due to the breed difference, I think. I do think there was a difference in Cassie and Duke being more comfortable and they didn't cry for mommy, and Roscoe did a little for the first week or so. I do think 6 weeks is a little too young, like the difference between a 16 y/o or 18 y/o moving out of the house.

Cassie had pups and they were 8 weeks old when adopted. And like Susi said, his mommy will let them know when she is done with nursing them. She won't give them the chance.LOL

 

[Gindyhead]

Hmm... well I've been thinking about it all day and we've decided to definately wait until 7 or 8 weeks, probably 8. Three other puppies have been sold and I would rather wait for them to leave before Bailey. I want him to get used to his family leaving him, while he's in an environment he's used too. It's bad enough bringing a new pup home, they're going to be scared, but to go from being with mom and five siblings to no mom, no siblings, four humans and a big black lab, well, that would just be too scary, so we're going to wait until his siblings have left and it's just him, mom, and one or two siblings. Hopefully that way, he won't be such a cry baby, in the nicest of terms of course! I will speak with my vet again tomorrow and then let the breeder know.
The thing is, I know these puppies have been handled from day one, (even though some people say not to do that), by adults and children, and part of me knows that once he's here, he will never be on his own, and when he's not being held by one of us, he can be curled up with Charlie. Charlie is smart enough to tell him that he doesn't like the nipping in a gentle manner - I've seen him do that with other puppies that have visited the house.
I'm leaning towards 7/8 weeks, I don't think we could do 9/10.

 

[Smeagle]

Where I live in many states it is illegal to sell a pup before 8 weeks - and so it should be. In the rest of the country, and I assume its the same for AKC breeders in the USA too, it is against the code of ethics for a registered ANKC breeder to sell puppies before 8 weeks.

I personally wouldn't touch a breeder who told me that I could have my pup at 6 weeks, as a good breeder will understand how important it is for a puppy to socialise with its litter mates in those two weeks, especially when it comes to things like learning bite inhibition - but maybe its different in the US.

 

[beaglesmom]

I NEVER let my puppies go anyplace before 8 weeks - and preferably 9-10 weeks. They need the extra time with their mother and littermates. As far as starting to nurse mom again after they're weaned, in my experience, mom won't let that happen! Once those little sharp razor teeth come in, she will let them know it's NOT acceptable behaviour. I don't do my own vaccinations, tho I know many breeders do, because I want them to have their vet check at that time. My vet will NOT vaccinate before 8 weeks (and I know many breeders will vaccinate much earlier) - he says any vaccinations before that time are virtually useless. We had quite a conversation with Tanna's breeder, as he wanted me to vaccinate the girls I had to send him by 6 weeks, and we refused. He was very upset with me (and my vet), but I trust my vet implicitly, he's never let me down! 8 weeks is the very earliest I'll let my puppies go. They're just not ready to be on their own before that.
Good luck with your Bailey! Can't wait to see him!

 

[Smeagle]

Originally Posted By: beaglesmomI NEVER let my puppies go anyplace before 8 weeks - and preferably 9-10 weeks. They need the extra time with their mother and littermates. As far as starting to nurse mom again after they're weaned, in my experience, mom won't let that happen! Once those little sharp razor teeth come in, she will let them know it's NOT acceptable behaviour. I don't do my own vaccinations, tho I know many breeders do, because I want them to have their vet check at that time. My vet will NOT vaccinate before 8 weeks (and I know many breeders will vaccinate much earlier) - he says any vaccinations before that time are virtually useless. We had quite a conversation with Tanna's breeder, as he wanted me to vaccinate the girls I had to send him by 6 weeks, and we refused. He was very upset with me (and my vet), but I trust my vet implicitly, he's never let me down! 8 weeks is the very earliest I'll let my puppies go. They're just not ready to be on their own before that.
Good luck with your Bailey! Can't wait to see him!

Good on you beaglesmom! I completely agree with you on vaccinations too. It's a scientific fact that they do not work on a pup before 8 weeks. I wish more breeders knew this as vaccinating their pups any time before this is a waste of time and will only put stress on their immune system!

 

[Brisen]

Originally Posted By: GindyheadHmm... well I've been thinking about it all day and we've decided to definately wait until 7 or 8 weeks, probably 8.

Good decision! It's so hard to wait those extra days, but if you can hang in there until 8 weeks, it will be better for all.

 

[PFR]

Also find out is there is a State Law? Here in Ct you are not suppose to let a puppy go until they are 8 weeks old. I'm sure people do, but its only better for the puppy.


Can't wait to see more pictures!!!

 

[Gindyhead]

It took some time to find, but here's a great website about state laws. I'm sure a lot of you already know about it, but here's the link.
http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ovuspuppysaletable.htm

NC, where we're getting the puppy from, doesn't look like there are any laws in place, but I'm still looking.

 

[Gindyhead]

Bailey @ four weeks with Hannah and Jessica

 

[Brisen]

Sooooooo precious...all three of them!