Someone told me that getting a puppy at 8 weeks is too early?

Question

My friend who volunteers at the Humane Society tells me that the fact that I got my puppy at 8 weeks of age shows that ours is not a good breeder, and that the pup needed more time to learn things like grooming from his mom. Is this true?

Answer 1

NO, that is NOT true, 8 weeks is an ideal age. Pups should remain together for not less than 49 days (7 weeks) and not more than 70 days (10 weeks) for ideal socialization benefits.
There are two reasons that we always keep them until they are 56 days (8 weeks); #1 they can have their puppy eye exam (CERF) after 56 days, #2 56 days is the ideal time to "grade" puppy's (Pat Hastings method) for the show ring.

Answer 2

Yes it is true, 8 weeks is too early. Alot of people say it's okay because they get dogs that young and they do fine. In fact my first dog I got at 6 weeks (not knowing this was the wrong thing to do) and she stayed healthy and lived a long life and was a wonderful dog. But yes it is true 8 weeks is too early. No good breeder will sell a puppy that early. Most wait until 12 weeks, 10 at the least.The thing is puppires at this age usually handle the change from being with their mom to going to a new home better than puppies who are taken from their mom too early. This is where you can sometimes run into problems getting the puppy to adjust to it's now home.

Answer 3

Even tho many puppies can eat on their own at 6 weeks, and many owners choose to let the pups go at this age, it's better to wait until at least 8 weeks and my personal preference is 10-12 weeks. The reason for this is that puppy will learn a lot of mannerisms from momma in this time frame and taking a puppy too soon (less than 8 weeks) means the puppy won't have the opportunity to learn. When I got my American Eskimo, the breeder wanted to let her go at 8 weeks and I asked that they keep her until 10 weeks as I felt it would be better for her.

As for bonding, your dog will do that REGARDLESS of the age when you bring him/her home. We got our Dachshund at almost 5 months old and this guy is the most dedicated dog in our home to us (there are 3 dogs here). So don't be scared into bringing a pup home too soon from "it needs to bond with you" quotes, because your puppy will bond with you just fine at 8, 10 or 12 weeks, too.

Answer 4

Most dogs are weaned from the mother at 6-8 weeks of age. The reason for this is because puppies nurse up to 6 weeks so that they can get the full benefit of antibodies from the mother. After they are weaned, then they start the full series of vaccinations. Therefore, when you got your puppy at 8 weeks, she would have already been weaned, and ready for adoption. Getting the puppy at 8 weeks is not a sign of a bad breeder. Getting a puppy at less than 6-8 weeks is cause for concern.

Answer 5

NO! A lot of people say this. I am in the same situation right now I am getting my puppy at 7 1/2 weeks and everyone is like "oh you should wait till after 8, best 12 weeks". You will hear different stories from everyone. Do what you want. People say that the dog should be with his mother longer, but you are going to be it's owner and he won't be with his mother forever. getting him young will help prevent bad habits he might learn, help you to teach him things, and create a stronger bond with you. You do want to make sure that he is fully weaned from his mother before you take him away. Grooming is not done by the dog but by a person that cuts his hair. He does enter in a fear stage about 7-12 weeks and this is usually why people say to leave the dog with it's mother. But if you know this and know how to react to the puppy it will all be just fine. My brother got his puppy at 5 weeks about 5 years ago and he is one of the best dogs ever!
Good luck and don't let people's advice throw you off. (that got in my way too)

Answer 6

no 8 weeks is the perfect age to get a puppy. i breed golden retrievers and i sell my pups at 8 weeks, so does this make me a bad breeder. once they are sold they will learn everything from their new owners like the grooming and obeidience training. anyone that sells a puppy under 8 weeks to me is a bad breeder and is in it for the money. so you are fine if you have a pup at 8 weeks. don't worry about what anyone says about your puppy being to young he is fine and at the age to be sold. good luck

Answer 7

Me the girl ,i'm so sorry for your loss.I've had 3 different puppies in my life of different ages. Sadie was 14 weeks when I got her ,she was house broken and pretty well adjusted in life. She only had problems with loud noises,Noey was 6 weeks .In my opinion she was far too young. She was just dropped at my door step . I had no control over that.She had problems house breaking and dominance issues. Piper was 9 weeks. From the day I brought her home until now 3 years later ,she has bonded with me very strongly. She's my velcro dog.I think 9 weeks old is the perfect age to get a pup.

Answer 8

Getting the puppy at 8 weeks is ok. as long as you get his vx started as you pick him up from the breeder. Placing the puppies at 8 weeks does not make a breeder that does not care. He or she is trying to get the puppy in a good home. the puppy does not learn grooming from its mother.

Answer 9

8 weeks to 12 weeks is acceptable. Most breeders now say 10 weeks old and to that I agree.

I have been raising wolf hybrids and canines for years and watching them learn from one another is a spectacular sight. You should be involved in their playtime with the family, just like humans, get to know his/her pack mates and then, invite your rascal home. :P

Go over there every day, if you can, for about a week and then adopt, that would make a world of difference in the future.

He/She will be a better member to everyone in the family with his early puppy hood experiences.

Check out the links.

Answer 10

I brought my puppy home at 8 weeks (got him from a friend, not a breeder) and we've never had any problems with him. He was completely house broken at about 4 months and is very well behaved. (he is 9 months old now)