My boyfriend is an idiot and gave a pup already. They are only 4 week old. They do eat and drink by themselves but I still think it is too soon. I thought 8 weeks was the time to give them away.
2007-03-27 09:13:51 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
8-9 weeks. They learn soooooo much from their mom and their littermates, that it is necessary to keep them with mom and the littermates until at least 8 weeks!
2007-03-27 09:17:37 · answer #1 · answered by Melinda E 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
At least 8, preferably a little more if that's possible. They learn so much in those weeks with their mother and the other puppies. It's actually illegal in some state to sell them before a certain age (normally 8 weeks I think). Before I knew any better I got my Sheltie at 4 weeks but I didn't know any better and just HAD to have her. She is ok but I know a lot of puppies have problems due to being taken away too soon.
2007-03-27 16:50:37 · answer #2 · answered by chanceencounter98 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry, but your boyfriend is an idiot!!!!!! If his dog has puppies, he should have properly researched puppy care, and he would have known that puppies cannot be given away at such an early age!!!!!!!!!
Puppies spend their first few weeks fully developing and they don't do much, so from 3 or 4 weeks to about 6 or 8 weeks is a really crucial time for the puppy. It is during this time that they learn all sorts of important skills from their mom and littermates. Puppies can be given away at around 8 weeks of age, though I myself think that the best time is between 10 and 12 weeks to ensure that the pup is mature enough.
If pups are given away before then, they usually develop aggression or other behavioral problems, because they never recieved social and behavioral skills from their littermates and mothers. Their health is usually affected as well, because the mother's milk provides them with defenses and antibodies that they need.
If at all possible, PLEASE, I BEG YOU, try to put the pup back with it's mother as soon as possible, and the pup can be given away at a later time!!!!!!!!
Also, your boyfriend should get his dog spayed, because he obviously does not know much about puppies, and he does not seem to care about the puppies' health at all.
2007-03-27 16:45:02 · answer #3 · answered by Marie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, that is perfect. 8 weeks, by then their eyes are open and they can eat and drink on their own. At 4 they are still drinking milk. Your boyfriend might have killed that puppy..
I gave mine away a 11 weeks just to make sure everything was ok.
2007-03-27 16:28:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
from 8 to 10 weeks .
2007-03-27 16:20:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is illegal in most states to sell or give away ANY puppy before it has completed it's 7th week and in some states it is 8 weeks.
I strongly recommend that you get the puppy back and leave it with mom for at least another 4 weeks.
2007-03-27 18:08:10 · answer #6 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It used to be 8 weeks but now the experts think 12 weeks is better.It gives them a little more time to mature and doesn't retard there growth. Yes your bf should not have taken a 4 week old pup.
2007-03-27 17:11:28 · answer #7 · answered by Dixie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
8 to 10 weeks.
2007-03-27 16:20:35 · answer #8 · answered by dwforce 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most states make it illegal to seperate pups from Mom any younger than 8 weeks.Very important natural species socialization training occurs during the first 8 to 10 weeks.
2007-03-27 16:18:47 · answer #9 · answered by W. 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
they are usualy weened at 5-6 weeks. so removed from mum to let her milk dry up.
but should not leave to a new home untill at least 8 weeks as befor this time they develop ther social skills so should be in contact with there siblins
2007-03-27 16:26:33 · answer #10 · answered by Joanne 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is an idiot and should not be allowed to own a dog. At least 8 weeks.
2007-03-27 16:18:48 · answer #11 · answered by dmg1969 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋