Our puppy search has finally resulted in success and we have found a little doggy girl we would like to add to our family. The only problem: the "breeder" wants us to pick her up when she is only about 6 and a half weeks old, so a week and a half shy of the recommended 8 weeks. They already eat kibble now at 4 weeks and are mostly weaned... the entire litter is leaving at the 6 week mark...
I am really torn on this, I know 8 weeks would be better, an no, this is not a pup from a professional breeder, this was an accidental litter and yes, this person is simply looking to get rid of the pups ASAP... as they are probably tearing up his house, and he will not hold it for us for another 2 weeks.
However I am still a bit wary about getting a dog THIS young... have you ever gotten a pup this young? Would you walk away from this?
Thanks!
BTW: I will be home FT for 2 months after puppy comes home and yes, I kow about all the work involved, socialization, the importance of obedience classes and the works... and please no comments about adopting from a shelter, rescue or professional breeder, I know this is not ideal - but all other options have been explored and didn't work out for us.
We got a 9 week old pup from a different breeder instead. She is doing great and of course also lots of work... when they say it is like having a new baby... they do not joke.
Since this was just a litter and not from a breeder I would go ahead and take the pup. I've had puppies at 6 and 8 weeks before. They both did fine. The 6 week was maybe a little more of a "baby" with us and followed us around more but was still a good dog.
Based on your "BTW" you are convinced you are making the right choice and don't want any suggestions.
Yes, I would walk away from this.
Good luck to you and yours.
I don't know if this is true, but I thought I heard or read that the last couple of weeks the pup is with his mom, is when the mom teaches the pup not to bite hard. Thus, when you have the pup and she is teething she know's not to chomp down to h*** o* your hand.
Saying that I did get a 6 week old pup a long time ago (before I knew any better) and we had no problems with her. No biting hard problems - nothing.
Congratulations! I know you will love having a puppy -- even with all the work it will be worth it. We got our puppy at two months old and only weighed two pounds. The best advice I can give you is consistency. I took her outside every two hours during the day, immediately before bedtime and immediately in the morning. Lucky it was summertime! At night she slept in her crate until we were sure she could hold it. It didn't take long at all. Did she have accidents in the house during this time? Yes, but we tried to keep her off the carpeted areas. You can clean those areas with vinegar -- works great. Puppies are pretty smart and I think you will have success even with a six-week old one. Good luck!
I don't have any experience with puppies that young, but I would suggest calling your vet and asking the vet directly what he/she thinks.
If you're concerned about nutrition, you can supplement the kibble with the milk replacer (available at any big petstore like Petsmart/Petco, as well as online like the Drs. Foster & Smith website). But again, I'd talk to the vet about it.
Too early. Simply put, a GOOD breeder would never ask you to do this. They would never want you to. Actually, REALLY good breeders do not allow their puppies to leave until 10 weeks. OK breeders allow 8 weeks.
When you have someone just wanting to get rid of puppies, that's the worst. 4 weeks is WAY to young to be on kibble. Seriously. You can pick up the puppy, and it will probably be fine. However, it will have problems that older puppies wouldn't. All puppies bite, but this one will probably be especially mouthy. He might have tummy problems. Potty training will probably be harder. He is too young for shots and baths, so you can't really take him anywhere for socialization or training. He could get sick very easily.
Would I walk away from this? YES. A person taking a puppy away from their mommy's milk at 4 months likely has not taken the best care. They are probably on cheap food. They will have problems, anyway.
There's not much difference, I don't think between 6-1/2 weeks and 8 weeks in terms of what to expect from the dog. We just got a new puppy - he was 7 weeks when we got him. He has been great! No whining at night; he's doing really well with housebreaking. All in all, I'm pleasantly surprised!
I say go for it!
Not a good breeder, in my opinion.Sounds like somebody who doesn't know what they're doing.(My ex-sis-in-law used to breed shelties and she would never let a puppy go that young.) I would walk away.
Added: I noticed you said this was an accidental litter. How do you know the temperament of the parents and whether they were a good match? How about if they are living in the same house... are they related? Are you actually paying anything for this dog?
If you are going to be home then you should be fine. Just make sure you get a crate, puppy food and the necessities. You will have an advantage to start training right away and being home all day will help.
8 weeks would be better for you to take this puppy, but if the owner wants to get rid of them that fast the puppy may get better care with you.
What exactly are you afraid of with getting a puppy that is 6 weeks old?
If this was a professional breeder, I would be concerned. But you said it's not, and that it was an "accidental litter." I assume these people don't otherwise try to breed their dog(s)?
I think the pup will be fine, especially with you home. Just take her to your vet when you get her & have her checked out.
I was going to chime in with Melissa's J.'s comment . . . I have read the same thing about pups learning not to bite from their moms in that last little stretch of weaning. If I were you I'd read up on puppy stages of development and make sure you have some info on that issue.
We got our puppy at 8 weeks and when she would puppy-nip us, the moment we said "OWWWW!" she would back off. It might even be something you could teach the puppy.
I don't think there's a right or wrong answer based on what you've presented. It really depends on your level of comfort, where the puppy is coming from, and it's temperament. How is the temperament of the parents? To me all of those issues are cumulative in nature. But I also think some things are wired into puppies very early.
Good luck and I hope you guys make the best decision for you.
