I just wondered what peoples opinons were on the ages of puppies when they go to their new home. My last pup was 6 and a half weeks old, and most people I know have got their pups at about 6 weeks. They are obedience homes and the idea is that as you need a strong bond with them for training, it is best to get them asap. However, I honestly feel that the incredibly strong bond I have with him wouldn't have been affected if I had brought him home at 8 weeks. Do you think the age doesn't matter, as long as they are weaned and the mother has had enough, or do you feel it is best to wait until 8 weeks?

Regards, Claire

I prefer to wait till closer to eight weeks as I feel the pups benefit from playing with each other and their mother disciplining them.  They don't really start to play with each other till about five weeks in my breed so a week is not long to do this.

I also prefer to wait until 8 weeks........those last two weeks are very important for socialising and disciplining!

I usually start to let mine go the weekend before they are 8 weeks old, as I have got their 2nd worming sone, and also thir ear tattoos, as their ears aren't big enough until 7 weeks.  I too beleive they need the maternal discipline, but my breecd are quite forward,a dn pups have been out playing from 4 weeks of age.

As long as the breeder does their job re socialisation I don't think it mattters how old the pup is when you get them after this though.  I often have pups up to about 14 weeks depending on where they arte going, and when they get the right home.

7 & 1/2 to 8 weeks I think also. By this time you can decide who is not staying if you are eliminating for showing and they are certainly ready for their new homes.

Thanks for your answers. Part of my reason for asking is, my pup was really bolshy and had no bite inhibition whatsoever. If I told him off, he would come back at me and really mean it. I often wondered if part of the reason for this was not long enough with his mum and siblings. The general rule with obedience dogs is, don't touch them after 8 weeks, the closer to 6 weeks the better. I do think I will try to find a breeder who waits till 8 weeks next time though. (He's a BC by the way and now 2 and a half and very well mannered!)

Cheers, Claire

<The general rule with obedience dogs is, don't touch them after 8 weeks>

Is this some new idea ? My ticket bitch was still on the farm at 14 weeks as I was in full time work & I didn't get her until I went back to college She was out of Beginners & novice at nine months & C only by 2 1/4 & ticket by 3 & we had a year out after she was savaged by a show dog ! My other dogs that have worked obedience have been acquired at all different ages between 8 weeks & nine YEARS old & all won at lesat one obedience class

& I know I am not alone having dogs of all ages starting obedience. I don't even know hpw old my next dogs will be when I get him as it will depend on the weather(breeder lives like me in the middle of nowhere)

ClaireH,

This is exactly the sort of thing they are learning and reinforcing in those extra few weeks and I believe that the more practice they get with each other and mum the better :)  If you find a good breeder they will aready be getting the pups house trained, sitting, coming etc.  and socialising them with all sorts of noises and situations.  Surely thats an excellent start for obedience ?  :)  A good breeder will also be able to tell you the qualities of each pup and help you choose the most likely candidate.

If the obedience people are right why is it that rescue dogs are being trained as 'helpers' for disabled people, 'hearing dogs' for the deaf, sniffer dogs, and many dogs are taken by the forces for special training.  Often these dogs are a great deal older than 6 weeks :D  I would think that the aptitude of the dog was more important than the age of the dog when you acquire it? :)

Good luck with finding your next pup.

Regards
Dill

My BC's breeder was letting the pups go at 6 weeks, I'm pretty sure she said that the pups that went as guide dogs also went at 6 weeks. We didn't pick ours up until 7 weeks, but all the litter have smashing temperments both with people and dogs.