if five weeks old is too young and what potential problems this could pose, if any.
2006-10-29 10:07:18 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
"five weeks old is too young and what potential problems this could pose, if any."
FAR FAR FAR TOO YOUNG TO LEAVE HIS MOM!!
His immune system will be compromised, his overall health, and his psychological stability! He is so youg, he will have trouble even maintaining his own body tempature without extreme care.
No and I repeat - NO - responsible or reputable breeder would ever separate a pup that young from his mom unless the dam were ill and could't nurse.
7 weeks sort of okay, 8 weeks is best.
I would run - not walk - away from this breeder,
If they are this ignorant, then you can be sure that they did not check the sire and dam for hereditary health problems that may not yet be showing symptoms in the parents.
They probably did not give the mother qualtiy care while pregnant and nursing - very bad for the puppies.
They most likely consider vacinations and wormings optional.
If the mother wasn't properly vaccinated before becoming pregant, the puppies will have veryy low immunities and will easily get sick from vvarious diseases.
2006-10-29 10:16:51 · answer #1 · answered by ann a 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Damned right it is - many breeders won't even part with a pup until 12 weeks old. This is because the over this period of time the pup learns much from the mother. At five weeks I don't think they are even fully weaned.
Now of course there may be reasons for the pup being available for adoption at this age - it may well be that the pup was abandoned, or that its mum rejected it (it does happen). I do think it amusing that people are automatically assuming it is the breeder that is adopting-out this pup...I don't any breeder who gives away a pup like that.
Just be aware that if you do adopt a pup at this age you will have some work ahead of you. You'll need to get a milk-replacement...the best ones are those developed for abandoned wildlife (as opposed to the super-market brands) - the reason is that these are far more nutrition-packed and designed for more sensitive stomachs, so less chance of diarrhoea. Also be aware that you will have to do much of the toilet training and teaching of those socials skill which the mother would normally pass on to the pup. You will find the pup has less concept of "pack order", so puppy training will be essential.
Look - if you are going to take the pup on, it could well be a truly rewarding process, and you'll have a friend for life. Just be aware of what you are getting yourself into so that you go in prepared. And find out WHY the pup is being adopted so early.
2006-11-01 19:14:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Puppies that are removed from the nest too early tend to be nervous, more prone to barking and biting, and less responsive to discipline. Often they are aggressive with other dogs. Generally speaking, a puppy taken away from it's mother and litter mates before seven weeks of age, may not realize its full potential as a dog and companion.
The ideal time to take a puppy from it's mother is 49 days.
Make sure your breeder is reputable. A good breeder will want to know a lot about you, how the pup will be cared for, and will offer their phone number in case you run into any problems. A place to find good breeders is to go to local dog shows and talk to a variety of people who raise the type of dog you are interested in. Beagles are great dogs. Get as much knowledge as possible before adopting. That way you will have educated yourself, helping to get a puppy that is healthy and well bred.
Best to you.
2006-10-29 10:24:00 · answer #3 · answered by Animaholic 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Five weeks is too young, we adopted a puppy when she was 6 weeks old. And she was fine, we got a from a reputable breeder and took her to a vet to have her checked out for a clean bill of health. I think at five weeks they have probably not been weaned off and another week can make a big difference in a puppies life. I would wait one more week.
2006-11-02 02:41:36 · answer #4 · answered by Mightymo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Five weeks is far too young. In addition to the health risks that others have mentioned, this puppy will miss out on a lot of socialization that he needs. He'll still learning from his mom and his littermates what is and isn't good doggie "manners." I get lots of compliments on my German shepherd's excellent behavior with other dogs, and I really think it is because he stayed with his mom till he was 9 weeks old.
A puppy that doesn't know how to interact with other dogs is not only not very fun (half the fun of having a dog is having them play with other dogs!) but can potentially be traumatic, if your dog doesn't know how to read the "signs" that another dog is aggressive or an alpha.
I would -not- get a puppy from this person. There are lots of beagles in shelters; check out www.petfinder.com.
2006-10-29 12:25:44 · answer #5 · answered by sanveann 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes 5 weeks is definately too young. No responsible or ethical breeder will ever let a puppy go that young.
In most states it is illegal to buy, sell, adopt or giveaway any puppy before it has completed it's 7th week and in some before it is 8 weeks old.
Puppies need to stay with their mothers & littermates until they are at least 8 weeks old. They can't have their first vacciantions until they have completed their 7th week (vaccinations before this age can interfer with the natural immunity and can cause problems later on),they also aren't mentally ready to leave..they can develope housetraining issues, chewing/sucking issues, biting issues and other behavior issues. Also many pups taht leave early have health issues as well.
2006-10-29 10:49:17 · answer #6 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's up to you, five weeks old. If you adopt it now the puppy is not going to have it family time with the rest of it's brothers and sisters, but we have gotten one of our dogs at that age and he is just fine. Our puppy is still have happy and energetic dog. So if you adopt the dog now, the dog will be like a kid that never had any siblings and was never made to share it's toys with others. Plus it depends on the bread of dog, some breads are more like loaners then others prefer to be in a big dog pile. So make your desertion and what ever you choose remember puppy's are like kids, they need lots of toys to play with.
2006-11-02 03:26:14 · answer #7 · answered by duell222 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The puppy doesn't need to be weaned before 6 weeks. So if you can wait between 6-12 weeks to adopt that is better! Good luck...I love beagles!
2006-11-01 13:29:25 · answer #8 · answered by Jen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Five weeks is definitely to young, it's mom is still weaning the puppies and they are still getting beneficial antibodies from her milk. Also, mom and siblings teach important social messages to the pup that she won't get from you. Taking that away at a too young age is asking for problems in the future. Wait at least another week, or preferably 2 or 3.
2006-11-01 10:53:14 · answer #9 · answered by hershey64 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a rule, no puppy should be given out for adoption until it has been weaned from its mother, anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks old. All reputable pet adoption places know this and should tell you so. If they don't I would stay away from that place.
2006-11-01 00:29:01 · answer #10 · answered by dukester1948 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋