Hello again everyone, puppy questions

[RVsBoxer]

It is unfortunate you bought your puppy from such an irresponsible breeder that would let their puppy go so early. Please understand that is not an appropriate age at all.

Yes I would have to agree that one should definitely wait till 8 weeks, so the puppy can get all the socialization benefits etc of being with his littermates and mother as long as possible.
But I must say that Lillys7's puppy Guinness really is fine. He plays just EXCELLENT with my Wilson, has absolutely no dog aggression or people aggression, nor is he abnormally submissive or dominant. He's very even tempered and very sweet. And he looks like he's growing great! So it seems that dogs can still be ok when taken too early, but I do agree that it should be avoided!

 

[lillys7]

I"m just catching up on this thread...Thank you to RV...Guinness is great, maybe because he had a responsible mommy and daddy! I looked at the calander wrong and agreed to get him a week earlier without really realizing it. But got him into puppy preschool at the right time and socialized the heck out of him...and you know what he DOES have a great temprament, eats like a horse and is very happy. I know people on these boards have strong opinions about things, but sometimes you can't change what is done and maybe it was for the best that I got him early...if she was so irresponsible maybe he was meant to be with me earlier. I believe that everything happens for a reason and if I got him a week and a half early, there must have been a reason for it.

 

[ngepner]

Are there any other benefits to bringing home a puppy past 8 weeks besides socialization? I've not seen any differences with any of the boxers I know. Are there other health benefits? At that point they are mosty on wet food aren't they?

 

[PawPrintBoxers]

At that point they are mosty on wet food aren't they?

Not unless you want a puppy with continuous diarreah :(

8 weeks old is a safe age becuase yes, they have learned socialization skills from both their mother and their siblings. They have had their first set of shots at least. They are on solid food and completely weaned. Their temperament and personalities are more present versus a 6 week old infant. And thanks to at least their first set of shots, they have a bit of immunity.

Once they are taken from their "safe" environment, they are assaulted by sounds, smells and germs. Every little bit of readiness you can give them is a must. And a Responsible breeder will not be a in a hurry to make that sale and push their infants out the door. An irresponsible breeder is not going to want to keep the pups once they start costing money. ie. real dog food and vet care. So they get rid of them at 5-6 weeks by telling puppy buyers all sorts of lies and stories.

 

[harley03]

I can tell you from experience that waiting till the 8 week mark makes a world of difference. At 6 weeks the pup is not only missing essential socialization with mom and littermates, they are going to be totally dependant on you during that time. We had a hard time with potty training, crate training, leaving him unattended for any period of time (even just moving to another room for a few seconds), and bite inhibition (which may fall under socialization). I also blame his separation anxiety on him leaving his mother too early. He is ok while left in his crate but totally throws a fit when left out. From the 6 week mark (when he came home with us) until the 8 week mark I had many sleepless nights and exhausting days. It was like taking care of a tiny baby.

 

[ngepner]

Thanks for the info. I read the page on Harley's website about puppy socialization. I find it concerning that a vet would ok a puppy to go home at 7wks then. They say it's based on behavior, shots and overall development.

 

[PawPrintBoxers]

Thanks for the info. I read the page on Harley's website about puppy socialization. I find it concerning that a vet would ok a puppy to go home at 7wks then. They say it's based on behavior, shots and overall development.

There are vets that tell people their 1 year old bitch is fully capable of being bred and it is actually healthy for her to have a litter before she is spayed. Just because a "vet" says something does not make it gospel. And when they stray into the areas of puppy raising, they really have little experience to speak from.

My own vet openly admits she has little experience whelping a litter save the rare C-Section she gets. Better that she admits that and asks me questions than give ill advice to one of her clients. I never argue with my vet over medical treatment and she does not argue with me over raising a litter of puppies

 

[kassa]

There's substantial documentation that the period between 7 and 8 weeks is the best time for placement, as the 8 week mark often marks the beginning of a fear period. Service and police dogs are routinely taken from their litters at 7 weeks because apparently the extra week enables one pup to establish absolute dominance and diminish the capacity of the other pups to rise to the same level of performance. When separated at 7 weeks, more of the pups go on to succeed.

Of course there's something to be said for pet puppies staying long enough to be inhibited in that way as it will make them better pets, but if you got your pet at 7 weeks and 4 days because that was the Friday afternoon and your next option was 8 weeks and 4 days, there's no need to think you have a terrible breeder.

These things also vary breed to breed -- toy dogs, for instance, should stay well beyond 10 weeks.

 

[ngepner]

Thank you everyone for your input. I do believe a have a great breeder but I always like to do some of my own research too. That's interesting to know about the dominance, submission development.

 

[Kysha]

I have always gotten my puppies at 8 weeks old. Payton (the newest addition), came to home at 12 weeks old - what a difference. She was crate trained and pretty much house broken too! She slept through the night from day one too!

Her socialization started at the breeders, and when she came home it continued on - so far she is bomb-proof!

I would say wait until the puppy is AT LEAST 8 weeks old for all the reasons other mentioned. You will have this dog for the next 10+ years, what's a couple of weeks?