I need some advice please about whether or not to take on an 11/12 week old  rescue pup that we viewed yesterday. He's not a normal rescue...his breeder had a problem and gave the litter to the rescue at 8 weeks. They are bold and well socialised...but very bitey and scratchy..they havent been handled properly to discourage bad behavior..basically they are pretty wild. I'm experienced with puppies but have only ever had them much younger than this, 7-8 wks, and by 11/12 weeks wouldnt have dreamt of biting, scratching, jump up wildly etc. I dont think they've had any housetraining either or had a lead on.

What do you think, can I bring this pup round with proper handling and training?

At only 11 - 12 weeks?   Of course you can!  Go for it .... we didn't sell our puppies, normally, until they were over 10 weeks, and none of my buyers had any problems re training them.   But then again, mine is a gentle breed, not prone to the things this puppy apparently is.   It may take a bit of extra patience, but I don't see why a puppy that young, can't be sorted out.

with lots of love, encouragement with disciple and time, of course.  You are experienced with puppies, it may not be as easy as a younger pup, but time and effort will pay off - go for it, if it's the type of dog you want

It's age wouldn't worry me at all, and it's quite normal for a pup this age to bite. I wouldn't give a blanket 'go for it' though without asking what breed or type it is? Is this a breed that you're used to?

The reason I ask is that a friend of mine, who has only ever owned gentle sighthounds, went to view a HPR type puppy. Puppy was really hyper, but then puppies can be, he got her but she never ever calmed down and he did regret changing breeds

> it's quite normal for a pup this age to bite

Totally agree.

Absolutely.  Earlier this year I started puppy training with a collie who was rehomed at 16 weeks and he had not been trained AT ALL.  His idea of play was all but savage and it took a long time for him to start settling down.  His owners said he was doing the wall of death round the lounge the entire time they were in his previous home!

But he did settle down, and he's blossoming into a fabulous dog.  Go for it!

Thanks everyone

If the litter is still together, then that explains a lot as they will be used to playing rough together rather than with people. Each pup getting its own home will certainly help.