Too early and now very worried.

[carnegiesmum]

So after reading a few posts here I am in total shock. I got my boxer pup at 7 weeks old and everything I've read here says he should have stayed with his mom until at least 8 weeks. I thought 6 weeks was standard. I'm very concerned this could have been a bad decision. Another post I read said he may not even be able to regulate his own body temperature until over 8 weeks. I have noticed he likes to snuggle under blankets and will sometimes shiver. He also is a nuzzler. He will bury his nose in my neck and fall asleep there whenever possible. My dad is so sweet, he gave him a "sheep skin" type mat to sleep on, very furry and warm. My puppy will sleep on it whenever I am not around, but if I am around he has to be right near me or he whines. He cries uncontrollably at night unless he's in my bed....I am ok with this for the first few weeks but will then crate train him at night.
What can I do to ensure the best possible development of my puppy?

 

[Caney Creek]

Well let me say first that he will not get over the crying at night with age as long as you are still letting him sleep in your bed. We made that mistake with Caney -- let her sleep with the humans the first two nights, then it was off to the crate (though it was only right next to the bed). She cried and CRIED through the night for 2, maybe 3 weeks. She knew the comfort of the bed and didn't want anything less. I'm afraid the more you let him sleep with you, the worse time he will have adjusting to the crate. As it is, being that he's already been sleeping with you, it's probably going to take a few weeks :( But you just have to power through it. I wore earplugs during that time but they still didn't drown out her pitiful cries. BF was about to toss puppy out the window (not really ) and both of us were exhausted for those few weeks from getting no sleep.

I think the biggest reason for leaving a puppy with its littermates for longer is so that they learn how to socialize with other dogs. So, that would be my biggest recommendation -- to find friends with friendly dogs and puppies and set up play-dates with them so that he can interact with other canines. If he doesn't get that socialization he's more likely to be shy or even aggressive towards other dogs when he's an adult.

 

[Caney Creek]

Forgot the other reason: Separation anxiety.

Puppies that are taken too early are more likely to suffer separation anxiety later in life. I am not an expert on the subject but I think that babying him too much now is more likely to lead to separation anxiety, ie. being at his beckon call each and every time he whines. And I should know because I have been the same way with Caney in the past :o and unfortunately she developed an unhealthy attachment to me. I really had to tell myself to stop spoiling her and start treating her like a dog. I'll admit it wasn't easy for me. She is over it now -- of course she still follows me around like a little shadow but she doesn't get so worked up anymore when I have to leave.