[dollyonken]

Hi

Just wondering what is the normal age to collect a puppy? I've heard it should be 8 weeks but if it has been well socialised at the breeders can it be later, eg 9 or 10 weeks?

Is 8 weeks the most common age?

Thanks

 

[lady amanda]

we collected very late, she was last in her litter.

8 weeks is as early as suggested.
anything after is just fine...I know in Yorkies it is common to not collect till later.

 

[MillieDog]

8 weeks is the normal time, that way they have been fully reared by mum, socialised etc.

I collected Millie at 9 1/2 weeks, she was one of 4 still left.

Dog trainers do say that to get your puppy used to all sorts of noises, situations ie hoovers, traffic, thunder. They need to have introduced to as many as possible by 16 weeks. That way you have less chance of them becoming afraid of something.

 

[Sara]

Hi,

I collected my first Poo Eric at 14 weeks as we were on holiday visiting family in the USA over Christmas. Then with my second we collected her at 10 weeks. Both are perfectly well behaved and rounded dogs with no issues to speak of. They do not have any problems, with barking, aggression, food manners, socialisation, chewing or being scared of any noises. I describe them as being bomb proof.

I suppose training also helps from an early age so arm yourself with as much advice as possible for bringing your puppy home and what routines to put in place from day one and you will be fine.

This is definately the place to find your answers as lots of people helped me with both my 2.

Sara )

 

[Laura(L)Izzie]

Izzie was 7.5 weeka and Poppy was 8 weeks. We juct couldn't wait to bring them home, couldn't have left it a day later! Lol, 8 weeks is about the average yes, but up to about 12 weeks generally is fine (most go to their homes by this age, but not all).

 

[wellerfeller]

Hi 8 weeks is generally the earliest to take a new puppy home, some stay with breeder until 10 or some breeds even 12 weeks. Providing there is plenty of socialisation going on at the breeders then it is fine to collect later. The advatages of a later collection is that the vaccination programme may well be completed and so you can dive straight into walks and lots of other situations when your puppy has settled in and so continue with the vital socialisation process upto and beyond the 16 week window.

 

[Tracy]

Hi, Barney was 10 weeks when we got him.
He is now 12 weeks and has settled in so well.
It seems to be that 8 weeks is more common to get your puppy but our breeder does not let her puppies go before 10 weeks.
Good luck with your puppy.
Tracy & Barney

 

[dollyonken]

Thanks for your advice.

I was reading 'the perfect puppy book and the author made it sound like you really should get your puppy at 8 weeks. But I guess as long as I know it is being well socialised then 10 weeks wouls be ok.

 

[loobylou]

Hi eleanor
We collected Charlie 2 days before he was 11 weeks old. He should have been 10 weeks but ŵe had a major saga with weather and planes breaking down (dont ask you would never believe it) Charlie has settled really well and the biggest surprise to us was that he is not fazed by meeting new people, he just loves it!

 

[susanb]

I read about the 8 week thing also & I was very worried. We got gisgo at just under 10 weeks and it has worked out great! I am glad he was a bit older - he bad had his first vaccination and we have had no problems with socialisation - he is scared of nothing!!!

 

[designsbyisis]

Dexter was nearly 9 weeks & had already had his first injections. He was the last to leave & had 2 nights without his brothers which we think helped him as he has never moaned about being on own in his crate. We couldn't take him at 8 weeks as we had not got any puppy stuff ready, thinking it would take us ages to find a puppy. As it was, he was a puppy of fate & became reality within days of me sending my first breeder emails !

 

[JoJo]

Anytime after 8 weeks of age is recommended. It is so important and although I have experienced puppies being collected as young as 6 weeks old, this is not good for the puppy and very bad practice from the breeder.

 

[jaimebpa1]

We got Olive between 7 and 8 weeks. It was closer to 7 though. The breeder I went with always does 8 weeks though. This litter was just an exception. Olive came from a small litter. 3 puppies. They were all very big and very well socialized with humans. At 6 weeks the mother dog stopped wanting to sleep with the puppies and rejoined her pack for sleeping. So the puppies were on their own except for a few times a day when the mom would want to check in on them. She also stopped nursing around 6 weeks and only let them get a little bit when she checked on them. The breeder house raises her puppies and she felt like this litter was ready at 7 weeks. The 3 puppies enjoyed playing together, but also spent a good amount of time without each other too. I was very concerned about getting her before 8 weeks, but in the end i trusted the breeder and the other 2 puppies were leaving that day so Olive would have been on her own.

I know this may be the exception to the rule, but we've had no issues with her coming home earlier than 8 weeks. She took right to her crate and slept 8 hours straight with zero crying from the first night on. In fact she really hasn't cried at all this first month home. She is a biter, but from what i've read she's not biting more than any other puppy. I really trusted my breeder and in the end she was right about Olive. She was ready and i've had no regrets.

 

[jaimebpa1]

Should also say that I'd still suggest 8 weeks if someone asked me. I just feel that this specific time 7weeks and a few days worked out perfectly fine.