Hi
I am a little confused, I have read lots on the site about how important socialisation is for a puppy and at what age they should leave to go to their new homes etc, what concerns me is if you get your pup at 8 weeks old from a breeder where the dogs live in kennels then does this mean that they will be harder to socialise/more suspicious etc as they grow up than a puppy that is reared in the home?

The answer is yes, a kennel-reared puppy will take longer to socialise than a home reared puppy. It will also need to be introduced to the sounds and smells of the normal household and also will need to be shown what they may interfere/chew and what they may not. Added to that is the idea that they can pee and defecate in the home as they did in the kennel.

hi, i let my puppies go between 6 - 8 weeks depending on the size and health of them, in alot of information it recommends that you get your puppy as early as 6 weeks so you can begin early socialisation but it really depends on the breed some breeds are solitary animals and you are their pack mate but soem breeds require the company of litter mates to teach them doggy social skills when they are young - the best thing is to research your particular breed and see what the breeder recommends i personally prefer the pups to go to new homes around 6 weeks as it is then that my breed (rotties)are starting to require external stimuli but i also breed boxers which i think need a little longer to mature with mum and litter mates so i wouldn't let them go till 8 weeks. remember good socialisation at all ages is important and that it doesn't stop once the pups are 12weeks they need to be socialised all thier lives really.