Member

Posts: 116
From:mcminnville tn usa
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 12-09-2003 12:56 PM         

---

is 6 weeks to young to get a puppy? My friend that got me a dog said that when it was 6 weeks old (about 1 and 1/2 weeks away from today) he would give me the dog. i just wanted to know if that was too young? i would certainly think so....but then again, i know nothing about puppies so please post some information about what i should do. If 6 weeks is too young, should i refuse the puppy? or is there something i should do for the puppy special?

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 68
From:stockton
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-09-2003 01:25 PM         

---

No, 6 weeks is not too early at all! In fact, it is the ideal time because if you wait past 8 weeks, per my vet, then it becomes too dog orientated and socialized too much to its littermates. Up until now, I always had all of my dogs and cats by 6 weeks, my beloved cat from long ago at 5 weeks. Get your puppy now, you will be happy you did! ann

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 392
From:lewisville, texas, united states
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-09-2003 01:32 PM         

---

6 weeks is too early. 8 weeks is ideal, you can't socialize them too much with their littermates. thats how they learn doggy manners, like what type of play is appropriate, from being around them. i think it's really important that you wait until 8 weeks.

[This message has been edited by benny boy (edited 12-09-2003).]

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 228
From:Grand Rapids, MI
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-09-2003 02:08 PM         

---

Well, obviously you can see opinions differ on this , but I honestly think 8 weeks is ideal- not much less or more. We got Cameron at 12 wks, and I think that was a little too old- she has had issues in her housebreaking I think due to the fact that she didn't start with potty training (the breeder didn't bother to start training, we were so pleased with that :/), until we got her, so bad habits had an extra 4 weeks to develop in her little head I'd say wait until 8 weeks for best results with your new puppy

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 926
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 12-09-2003 02:18 PM         

---

I have to chime in also, 6 weeks is way too young to take a pup for her mom They will actually have more social problems at this age. 8-10 week sis best

Honeybear

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-09-2003 02:22 PM         

---

I agree that 8 weeks is ideal. I know people get them alot earlier, but I also see alot of people who got their pups early here on the board asking for help with pups who didn't learn important lessons from their moms and littermates in those two weeks. In my opinion they need that time with mom.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 115
From:UK
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-09-2003 02:22 PM         

---

You won't find any dogs for sale under 8 weeks old here. I got mine at 10 weeks and I think it was pretty much perfect. The breeder had just started paper training but he'd never been outside. He was the first to leave the litter too.

I got one of my cats, Albert, at 7 weeks, the family just wanted rid of them so I took both (one died on his first night outdoors at 6 months) But Albert suckles on his back paw ALL the time, it's drenched by the time he's finished and as he's getting older it's gone discoloured. I tried to stop him doing it in the begining but it was all in vain. The vet told me it's becasue he was taken from his mother too soon and this is his comfort.
I guess I'm saying I think 6 weeks is too early... but if the owner/breeder doesn't want the responsability any longer I think the animals better off getting a new home.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 790
From:uk
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 12-09-2003 03:13 PM         

---

Hi. I breed german shepherds and even though 6weeks is not to early to leave the mother i never let my puppies go until 8-12weeks old this way i can have them thoroughly vet checked for any problems and have atleast there 1st vaccinations.

Rehoming a puppies before they are 8 weeks old is a little harder for them to settle when away from there mum.

I would have to say for you to have a happy puppy i would wait until it is 8weeks old this will give you extra time to prepare for the new arrival.

Also is the owner of the puppies going to give you a sample of the puppies food?
Is he/she going to give you the puppies vaccination card?
Proof that the puppy has been checked by a vet for any illnesses?

All my puppies also come with insurance for 6weeks and also i have the new owners sign an agreement to state that for any reason they can no longer keep the puppy that it will be returned to me and not given to someoone else or a shelter..

Good luck when you get your new puppy and hope you have many years of fun with him/her

Mike

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 260
From:MO, USA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-09-2003 03:43 PM         

---

I believe anything under 8 weeks is too young as well. At 6 weeks of age their little brains are still learning how to socialize with their litter mates (just like the earlier posts have said)
Mom needs to teach them manners on what is acceptable dog to dog behaivor.

By the way, what kind of puppy are you getting?

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 1392
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-09-2003 05:49 PM         

---

Is your friend the breeder? (Or owner of the mom if it was an accident litter?)

If so, will he let the pup stay until it is 8 weeks old? It would be ideal if ALL the pups stayed with their mom until at least 8 weeks.

If you have no choice, 6 weeks will probably work out okay, but as everyone else mentioned there will be more issues and a more difficult adjustment for the little guy.

Jamiya

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 227
From:Perth, Western Australia
Registered: May 2003

posted 12-09-2003 06:14 PM         

---

6 weeks is far too early. my dog was 12 weeks when we got her and we had no problems with her behaviour. dogs are suppose to be dog orientated, thats what makes them dogs :P i say a dog is never too old to buy. whether it be 8 weeks or 8 years it will still love ya. beware of breeders who sell their dogs younger than 8 weeks.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 277
From:Nellis AFB, Nevada
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 12-09-2003 07:59 PM         

---

I totally agree with all the above. 6 weeks is way too young to be seperated from its mother. I don't believe in the too much socialization with littermates thing. I think some of the problems of seperation anxiety, housebreaking, and biting behavior with humans (which happen during their teething) come about because of tearing them away from their pack too soon. From what I seen on this message board and from what I have read, is that puppies are easier to train anywhere from 8-12 weeks. Their mother and littermates teach them better "puppy behavior". Plus, Charmedagain brought up something I didn't think about. If you wait past 8 weeks, there is a chance for a thorough vet check and 1st immunizations. It is important for the immunizations to have a chance to kick in because of parvo and other nasties out there. The breeder needs to make sure if he/she gives the pup to you that they have had their immunizations and given the pup a chance for the shot to kick in. I got both of my Huskies past 12 weeks and I had absolutely no problems. They are very loving with our family (so much for spending too much time with their littermates) and love each other just as much. I couldn't ask for better dogs.

[This message has been edited by Karriesue (edited 12-09-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Karriesue (edited 12-09-2003).]

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 169
From:New York, USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 12-10-2003 05:12 AM         

---

I don't know much on this subject, but I do know that Max and his siblings were fostered TOGETHER with their mother before they reached 8 weeks and then they were allowed to be adopted out at the Humane Society. I have to believe they waited till 8 weeks for a reason.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 944
From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-10-2003 06:31 AM         

---

6 weeks is the best time for puppies to be adopted out to their new homes.

This way you can begin teaching them at a young age your rules. They will become much more attatched to you and not so dependant on their mother and litter mates.

Most mothers will wean their puppies at 5-6 weeks any how, so your not depriving them of anything.

IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)