When should a puppy leave its mother?

[Stig]

Here is a quote I got back after they told me the pup would be available at six weeks and I thought it was a bit to soon to be leaving its mother.

I have bought dogs in the past and not one was available before 8 weeks.

I stand corrected if I'm wrong. But am I?


Loganberry who is selling a Bichon Frise

" you clearly don't know much about dogs - if you bothered to do any research at all you would note that the optimum time for a pup to go to its new home is BEFORE the age of seven weeks - this is the best age for them to develop a relationship with thier new family and the optimum time for socialising and introducing them to all the things they will meet in thier lives. If they are homed after this time, they can have difficulty with separation anxiety, socialising and general training. They are toilet trained, fully weaned and eating solids by this age."

[mums angels]

I was also always under the impression that they were to be 8 weeks we got one at the weekend and shes just 8 weeks we wouldnt have taken her any earlier than we did and the lady wouldnt have been willing to have let her go until then either .

[unicorn]

I was under the impression it was 8 weeks but this link seems to say 7 weeks
http://www.dogclub.co.uk/advice/puppychoice.php
I don't rehome rabbits until at least 12 :D

[aurora32]

Hi,
It's really important for a puppy to remain with it's mum and littermates as outlined below. During this time your puppy will learn about pack heirarchy, bite inhibition and social behavior within its pack. Taking a puppy home before 7-1/2 to 8 weeks of age really deprives the puppy of much needed training by mom and littermates and will make your job of training much more difficult.
8 weeks is the minimum age pups should leave for their new homes. Puppies go through five critical periods...and it's very important that they remain with their mum and littermates until 7-1/2 to 8 weeks of age.


1. During the first 3 weeks of life puppies have next to no mental capacity and their basic needs are provided by their mum. Little or no handling by humans is required (assuming all is well with mum and puppies). But gentle handling at this time providing mum allows and doesnt get too stressed will go a long way in development of the pups.
2. About the 4th week puppies become aware of other living beings and have very slight trainability. This is an extremely critical period and puppies should not be removed from their mum or littermates. Introduction to humans should be started now but carefully controlled.
3. Weeks 5 through 7 they begin socialization within the litter and also with humans. At this point they are capable of responding to voices and to recognize people. Training by mum is in progress and they are becoming aware of the differences between human and canine socialization.
4. During the 8th through 12 weeks puppies can be removed from littermates and mother. They require human socialization, love and security. Play with children should be well supervised. They are capable of learning simple training such as Come-Sit-Stay-No. Introduction to people is important but should be closely supervised. Gradually expose to loud noises such as cars, washing machine, vacuum, etc. Puppy classes during this time are very important.
5. At 13-16 weeks puppies mental capacity is fully developed and needs worldly experience. During this time a puppy needs love, attention, socialization, discipline and security. A Puppy will also try to establish itself as the dominant one. Your puppy is now capable of undergoing formal obedience training and can adopt a good or bad (positive or negative) attitude about training so please select your trainer with great care! Praise and reward for correct behavioural response will go a long way in training your puppy!

Hope this helps :)

[summer]

Here is a quote I got back after they told me the pup would be available at six weeks and I thought it was a bit to soon to be leaving its mother.

I have bought dogs in the past and not one was available before 8 weeks.

I stand corrected if I'm wrong. But am I?


Loganberry who is selling a Bichon Frise

" you clearly don't know much about dogs - if you bothered to do any research at all you would note that the optimum time for a pup to go to its new home is BEFORE the age of seven weeks - this is the best age for them to develop a relationship with thier new family and the optimum time for socialising and introducing them to all the things they will meet in thier lives. If they are homed after this time, they can have difficulty with separation anxiety, socialising and general training. They are toilet trained, fully weaned and eating solids by this age."
I'm sure my pup was 12-14 weeks when I took her home. The breeders hung onto her because I was wanting her for a particular date. She didn't suffer any "difficulty with separation anxiety, socialising and general training.", and she was able to "develop a relationship with thier new family" just fine.

[simpsoney]

I personally think 8 - 10 weeks is best. I think 6 weeks is just too young. Those two extra weeks make a lot of difference

[Stig]

Yes. Thank you folks.
I think someone else needs to being some research before handing pups out at 6 weeks.:Razz

[Rictina]

I believe the best time to be 7 weeks old.

[Loganberry]

I have done alot of research into this and talked to many other breeders and all agree that 6-7 weeks is the optimum time in the interest of the puppy. My last puppies did very very well leaving home at this age and as I have an owner coming back for another puppy, I am happy. PS when I say 6 weeks, I mean in the 6th week - as it happens they are going just a day before they are 7 weeks old! The Book of the Bitch also says the same thing. This forum is turning into a book of the bitch as far as I can see! Have you got nothing better to do with your time Stig than quote my private messages to you in response to your rude comments?! [evil]

I am going with my evidence. I got my puppy at 8 weeks and she suffered with terrible separation anxiety, and my mum got her pup at 6 weeks and she has been a breeze. I am happy as are my buyers. I have done everything right and am going on my experience and that of others, dog psychology & training, health & welfare, breeding for type, health and temperament and everything I do is in the interest of the pups and mummy. Pick on someone else! :roll:

[Hogfather]

Whenever I have got a pup from a breeder, it's been at least 7 1/2 weeks - I'd not feel comfortable picking up at less than this unless the pup was a singleton and likely to need extra work on the canine socialisation front anyway! Never had a titchy breed though - thought they were supposed to go older than the big 'uns, but could be talking complete rot :)

[Stefan]

I got one of my dogs as a rescue at nearly 6 weeks old and she has very human behaviour. She also had a lot of behaviour problems in the first year of her life. (I didn't have a choice, it was either get her at that age or loose her.)
I would never recommend it and as a dog behaviourist I can confirm that puppies that are homed before the age of 8 weeks often haven problems as they have missed a vital part of their socialisation. Personally I would not home a puppy under the age of 8 weeks and would recommend 10 weeks. A lot of confidence is built up between 6-10 weeks and an unconfident dog is usually a problem dog...