help: 5 1/2 weeks is too little

[jrodriguez42]

I was suppose to be bringing our puppy home on Feb. 8th. He would have been 6 1/2 weeks old. I still felt that that was too young but now he is saying all puppies are going this weekend. I need to talk to him about why, when he told me he would hold mine for the extended time. If I do bring him home this weekend I could use some advice. Please help.
Jenn

 

[BRIDGIT]

I can't offer advise because I have never dealt with a puppy that young but I hope everything works out. He won't tell you why he is making them go home early? Good luck and I am sure you will get plenty of advise on the board.

 

[gidget1]

5 1/2 weeks is really early but it may be in the puppys best intrest to bring him home early. Gidget was 9 weeks old when I brought her home and very independant. Good luck.

 

[MommyD.]

puppy too young?

From what I've read here, that is a little young. If the breeder is a "good one" then, he should give you a reason as to why they are going this soon. There may be a good explanation and then again, maybe not. I've heard a good breeder keeps the pups together with it's litter mates longer than this because of developmental reasons, etc. Then again, maybe the puppy would be better off at his new home. I don't have any personal experience with this, so I could be wrong in what I've just said. My puppy was 7 weeks, almost 8 and I had very little problem with him missing his "family". This may be an issue at this age. Overall he's doing well. I under estimated the time that it takes to housebreak. That's my fault, not his. I just thought they caught on sooner. I've never had a puppy before.:o I hope everything works out. Please let us know if you find out a reason why he's letting them go so early.

 

[PTZAM]

It may be just a little young, and I have read that as well. However, i'm sure that if you start to love up the puppy right away he will jump right in to your family. Most books say between 6-8 weeks is prime for taking them home. They say if you wait to long, you can have problems as well. I would just get him home and start having fun.

 

[Sabrina Jay]

Puppies should NEVER be removed prior to 7 weeks of age from their mom and littermates. The better time is around 8 - 9 weeks, preferably at 9 weeks. (In my opinion). You will find various opionions on this in different books.

Puppies learn so much from their mother and littermates during that crutial time. More behavior problems are seen in puppies that are removed too early. Some of them can be.......have not learned bite inhibination, seperation anxiety (which continues until adulthood), and other variety behavioral problems.

I would be concerned the real reason why this particular breeder is letting them go at 6 weeks of age. I don't know of any reputable breeder that would let a pup go that early.

Check your local state laws. (generally the Agriculture Department). Some states REQUIRE pups stay with their moms until 8 weeks of age. I personally, would like to see this as a state law for ALL 50 States.

 

[Rowdy's Dad]

When I went to get Rowdy, I thought he was 6 weeks old. It turned out that he was only 5 1/2 weeks old. I can't speak for all pups, but Rowdy was ready. He even preffered solid kibble over canned food. His first birthday is next week and he weighs over 70 lbs and doesn't have any major behavioral problems. He gets along great with our beagle and three boys. When he's inside he follows me around and doesn't let me out of his sight.:D

 

[jrodriguez42]

Thanks so much for reassuring me, I don't really have choice on this but I am definitely going to make the most of it. I guess I am just scared, but we will have fun. We do have a female dog that's 13 years and she plays with our bunnies, so our little guy won't be dog lonely.
Jenn

 

[livendive]

Originally posted by jrodriguez42
Thanks so much for reassuring me, I don't really have choice on this but I am definitely going to make the most of it. I guess I am just scared, but we will have fun. We do have a female dog that's 13 years and she plays with our bunnies, so our little guy won't be dog lonely.
Jenn

I just brought Ally home on Friday, at 7 weeks to the day. She seems to be in good working order, partially housetrained already. A week and a half earlier might make a difference, but I imagine it's workable if the puppy has no better options (such as staying with his litter a little longer).

We've got indoor, box-trained rabbits as well...the male seems as curious about Ally as she is about him. It makes for pictures I'm sure we'll enjoy later, as Mario (the rabbit) is at least twice Ally's size. :D

 

[jrodriguez42]

The couple that has the puppies are not breeders. They do have two pure breed boxers and they are beautiful happy dogs. He said he got both his boxers between 4 and 6 weeks and they are very loyal and happy. I believe he is very inexperienced and this is his first litter. The puppies are in a clean warm area. He works with my husband so I haven't had a chance to talk with him directly since I last visited. All the puppies are going to be picked up over next weekend. I guess I was looking for advice from anyone who has been in this situation and that could help me out.
Thanks