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Is 6 1/2 weeks too young for pup to be "taken"


dougf4

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I've read various opinions on other discussion forums as to when to remove a pup from the mom and take to a new home. Since I have more confidence in the people on this board, I'd like to hear other's thoughts.

 

We have a deposit down on a pup. The ranch we have to travel to is close to a 10 hour drive, so the pickup time might become very weather contingent at the last minute (driving in Idaho and Western Montana). I'd like to have the pup home before Christmas. We can get her at 6 1/2 weeks old or wait and get her a week later. Beyond that we are too "deep" into Christmas time to make the trip.

 

We once took a neglected pup (not a BC) at 4 weeks and our vet told us though unusual that she looked great and he seemed fairly comfortable with it. That dog turned out just fine.

 

On a final note in case it matters we have a 10+ year old rescue BC male who is extremely docile and laid back. If I were a betting man I'd wager he will welcome the new little booger snuggling right up to him as a surrogate mom.

 

Your thoughts and voice of experience would be greatly appreciated.

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I took my pup at 5 weeks due to extenuating circumstances. He was raised by 2 crabby old female dogs. I can say with out reservation he's a jerk. IMO I think the 2 crabs helped make him what he is.

His health is questionable but not due to his early departure from his litter.

If at all possible I'd wait. Better safe than sorry later.

Just my personal experiences with a pup taken at an early age.

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I would prefer to wait. Years ago, we got a dog at 6 weeks and she turned out fine. But oh, boy, she was VERY much still an infant. She woke us up several times a night, cried to be fed, (plus she could only eat mushy food, yet) and then wanted to play and potty after feeding, etc. We survived that brief stage, and so did she, but it was exhausting!

 

I would recommend leaving her there with her mom and siblings for another week, as she'll do a surprising amount of growing and learning in those extra days. I think it will be easier on you both. :)

 

Cheers ~

 

Gloria

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Yep, too early. Please leave the pup with the mom and other siblings as long as possible. And make sure that the breeders do not separate the pups away from the mom and siblings at 6 weeks. in other words, the breeder shouldn't be separating mom & pups early waiting for you to pick up your pup later. That is the almost the same as if you were to come and get the pup early.

 

I know that you have already committed to this pup, so at this point it sounds like it is up to you to try and make sure the pup gains that valuable extra time with mom & siblings. By waiting an extra week, your pup may gain a huge benefit. FWIW, when I consider if I want to buy from a breeder, I will reject those that separate the pups from mom before they are 8 weeks old.

 

Jovi

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I too think that 7-9 weeks is ideal. And that being with the mom and playing and socializing with peers is important.

 

Speaking about the issue and suspicions with a breeder: the breeder that I got Eluane from was so dreadful that she wanted to push off Eluane at 5 weeks old. I was pretty shocked and told them no way. But still they kept pressuring so I picked her up at 6 weeks 4 days (Eluane was my first dog, first B.C. so I didn't stand up to my guns)....She was fine when I brought her home. And we got her all nice and settled. Then on her first night, she woke me up with a little grunting noise, and the poor little thing had diarrhea. I thought it odd she kept having runny stools and I called the vet up and we brought her in within 2 days...Come to find out the breeder had completely neglected her and never dewormed-- Eluane had 4 infections - hookworms, roundworms, Giardia and Coccidia. And oh, the meds made all the worms come out and the worms were larger than her forelegs for such a poor tiny puppy. I was very sad and upset!

 

In a way I was so relieved to get Eluane that soon because poor Eluane needed medical attention right away. To this day, Eluane has a very sensitive digestive system. Lucky for me she never had any socializing or personality issues. When I lived at my apartment complex, little E was so popular and she had tons and tons of doggy friends. So in terms of being a great pup and easy-care, she was fine in spite of being only 6 weeks and 4 days old. I was lucky.

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I agree with Liz.

 

I agree too. They learn doggy manners when they get to bite and play with their siblings and mama. I waited to get Cedar until she was 10 weeks old.

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I agree there is a ton of deveopment that happens between 6 and 8 weeks and the pups need to stay with littermates. There is a bunch of info on the web if you search for puppy development. It will give you ages and what changes are taking place. I keep all my pups until after 8 weeks because that is the time they are learning how to 'be dogs', learning about postures and appropriate behavior. Plus when the pups go to new home they are pretty well crate trained and house broke, a plus for the new owner.

Denice

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I've noticed a huge difference in pups I've both purchased and sold at 10 weeks vs 8 weeks. They are more confident, outgoing and handle the transission more easily. They also house break a lot faster! Looking at those same pups at a year of age they are still noticably ahead of the game.

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In watching our pups develop, it was very worthwhile for all the reasons you mention, to not take the boys until 10 weeks.

 

Also, if the OP waits the additional three/four weeks, the holiday craziness will be over.

 

Liz

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It all depends on the dog IMO. The pup I picked up at 6.5 weeks is my perfect dog, gets along with every dog. I have ones I picked up at the so-called "ideal" ages of 7 weeks or 8 weeks and some are great with other dogs and some are snarky. So in my experience, it all depends on the pup, not the age.

 

I can understand the timing issue and my advice is to do the latest you comfortably can that won't put you in trouble with the weather. However I wouldn't bring a pup home early just because you want to put a bow on it for Christmas morning.

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Your second option is to pick up the puppy at 7.5 weeks. It's a very good time to pick up a pup. The doggie manners by then will be well acquired, and whatever shortcomings there might be, your other dog will straighten up the pup. It's only a dogless household where doggie manners would be a concern at this stage. And the older dog will help the pup to adapt.

 

Another concern is whether where you live is very different from where the puppy lives. if so, it's better to take the pup as soon as possible, after the 7th week, so 7.5 weeks - is very good. To me it's ideal.

 

Best wishes for you and the puppy!

Maja

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I need to clarify something - the people we are getting the pup from are not "pushing" us to take the dog early, that is entirely our decision. It is based on my post-Christmas work schedule which is shaping up to be very hectic. The breeders are placing no pressure at all to rush us into picking up the pup.

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Ok, even with the clarification .....if you're going to be so busy why not leave her and fly her in when your schedule is less hectic? The trauma of leaving the pack early in addition to Christmas sounds like an accident waiting to happen at the pups expense.

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I taught dog obedience and did behavior consultations for over 20 years. I collected history data from all my students and clients. I found that an overwhelming majority of dogs with social behavior problems (with people and/or with dogs) were obtained at 6 weeks of age or less. While not a scientific survey, I don't think that was any coincidence. Most literature will tell you that puppies need to be with the litter and mom until 8 weeks. My dog warden once told me that in Pennsylvania, it is illegal to let pups go before 8 weeks. I would not take a dog away from the litter at 6 weeks of age...just my opinion.

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I let my pups go to their new homes at 8-10 weeks, prefer 10 weeks. Prior to that, they need to grow up, socialize, get puppy skills, manners etc...all sort of stuff is critical at that stage. I have people want their pups at 6.5 to 8 weeks and I tell them, either they can wait or go somewhere else. The pups need that time with the other pups, mom and other dogs. No exceptions!

 

I got Shiro at 5.5 weeks and she never learned doggie social skills. She really needed it but the BYB wanted the cash so sold them at the young age. She had lots of doggie social behavior issues that I did fix but some were not fixable due to her not having the critical time with her littermate and mom. She didn't have another dog to grow up with so didn't have the proper meet/greet skills and was dog aggressive. However she was raised with a cat and had the best cat social skills. Every cat she met, ended up being her best friend and she would share her bed and food with. For her entire life, we had to manage her.

 

Let the pup be with his littermates until he is at least 8 weeks old...you will have him for the rest of his life so let him have his extra couple of weeks with his littermate to grow up proper. it will be one of the best decision that you will ever make in your puppy's life.

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It really depends on the situation the pup is in and the situation it is going to.

 

Is it getting good canine education and being properly socialised with the human world or is it kept in a barn with minimal human contact and learning bad habits from it's dam and siblings or being bullied? Has the dam lost interest in the pups?

 

Do you have reliable dogs of your own that could take over the nurturing and teaching role? (I see that you have a calm older dog.)

 

Are you experienced with bringing up a young pup?

 

If the answer to those questions is Yes then taking the pup earlier might be the best thing for it. If No, then leave it until 7-8 weeks at least.

 

Not all bitches make great moms, not all siblings play nice and not all breeders put in the socialisation work that they should.

 

I know quite a few people who routinely take pups at 6 weeks (a couple at 5 weeks but not from choice) and they've mostly turned out fine, although these are all experienced owners with other dogs to act as surrogate parents, so not a representative sample.

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