What is the best age to let the pups start to go to their new homes. And would you suggest having them brought back from time to time since many of them are going to family members. Any other suggestions to make the transition to a new home a little less stressful. I have got a stuffed animal for each one that sleeps in the mums bed so that when they go they have something that smells like her.

Our breeder gave each new owner a piece of the vet bedding which still smelled of the litter and of mum . This was a comfort to pup and we put it into his new bed.
Lel

Hi, I let my bold male puppies go from 7 weeks - though some may disagree I think the dominant ones should be on a one to one basis with their new owners asap. Also it stops them running the other less dominant puppies ragged. As I only breed to keep a puppy (usually a bitch) the bitch puppies dont go til at least 8 weeks. Although the Kc and some breed clubs say 8 weeks is the minimum I find that puppies do just as well (and housetrain more quickly) if they go at 7 weeks - but they have to be bold,well grown and eating their meals really well. This does not apply to Toy breeds though, which often stay til 10-12 weeks.
One way for puppies to settle quickly is for the new owners to follow the same feeding/play time/grooming etc routine that you have as well as making sure they feed the same food for at least a fortnight.

Hi WL.

The kennel club do not have an 8 wek rule about homing pups. This age only applies to puppies bred by commercial breeders that are required to have a License (breeding 5 or more litters in any year).

Our breed club says pups should not go before 7 weeks. I let mine go at 7 1/2-8 weeks, as I want them ear tattooed and wormed again before they go.

I have labradors and I let them go to experienced homes at 7 weeks (experienced as in had dogs before and know exactly what they are doing) or at 8 weeks to those with less/no experience. I started to let some go at 7 weeks because I was being asked such a lot to allow collection at 7 wks. I feel in that last week the pups grow up such alot.
My pups come back to visit or for holidays and it works well.

Hi,
I let my pups go 'home' at 8 weeks, and find they settle well if following the same routine and 'menu' as much as possible. I give out advice leaflets with everything written down for the new owners (its a lot to remember otherwise). A piece of bedding/soft toy with mum's scent on also helps.
Guide Dogs for the Blind did lots of research in this area and they found that letting the pups go at six weeks was beneficial because of the socialisation aspect - my mother agrees entirely with this, and does the same with her Goldies (provided she feels they are ready of course).
I, however, feel that 8 weeks is much better. The extra two weeks or so help the pups in many ways. Their mum doesn't really do very much for them in this time, with regard to cleaning up, feeding etc, but she does tend to 'teach' them basic manners and how to behave. I find that if I take mum and babies into the front room at 8 weeks the pups will lie down quietly (as mum is expected to do), and also that they will instinctively follow her out for a wee when she goes.
I suppose it depends on individual circumstances really.
Most insurance companies also 'presume' the pups will go at 8 weeks, so if you plan to send them off with 6 weeks insurance, this may be worth checking too.

Thanks everyone. I had read in the book of the bitch that it is good to get them to their new homes during the 7th week. But before their eight week. These are golden retrievers and they are eating well and doing well. But still to young to go by far. They are only 4 weeks 2 days. But some of the owners are already asking to take them. I have said no and won't let them. I don't want them to take them even for a few hours because I don't want anything brought back to the other puppies in the mean time. Do you think I'm making the right decision. Won't it put them at higher risk to let some visit their new homes. Couldn't they bring something back to the others pretty easily. 11 pups running everywhere the kids are just having a blast.

Also, the mum is still cleaning up after their poo. They have been on puppy chow since 3 weeks 4 to 5 meals a day. She is nursing some about twice a day right after they eat and then letting them suckle now and then in between, however I'm tring to pick up after them before she does because I would think that by now they have solid waste and she shouldn't be eating it. She is not a dung eater in general so I'm assuming it's still just because shes trying to keep them clean. The have been wormed once but still need the second dose next week. These are some rolly polly puppies. They are so cute. And really healthy.

I'm horrified that people would want take the puppies away even for a short time!! Say NO!!! Personally I would have second thoughts about letting them have one at all if they know so little about dogs! Keep your babies safe at home till they are at least 7 weeks old.

Most of the requests for the home visits have been from the children of the new owners, and believe me I have no problem saying no. My problem will be saying yes when the time really comes. I feel as though I love each and every one of them. How can you get attached to so many?

Easily!! ;)

8 weeks.

I feel then they have had at least a few weeks totally independent of mum, are eating solids for all their meals, are developing their characters & basically I think that is a good age to go as they can go straight to the vets for a checkup & 1st jab with their new owners. Also, as in the case of my last litter, where 7 of the 9 pups went down to England, they are that bit older & bigger to withstand a long car journey.

I would be questioning whether these people were suitable potential owners if they even remotely thought that 4 weeks was an acceptable age for a puppy to leave mum.

jmho

Pam n the boys