Best age to take a puppy home?

[berryfull]

There is a litter of puppies I’m interested in. They are 3 weeks already and I couldn’t take one for another 8 weeks. Is 12 weeks a good age to bring a pup home? I’ve read the 7/8weeks is better? Due to socialisation? Is this right? Or am I worrying about nothing?

[adaline]

We brought our dog home at 12 weeks and I think it was easier.

I don't recognise a lot of the stress and angst from the puppy threads - he came to us knowing basic commands, only had a handful of accidents in the house (as our breeder had already started training) and he slept through the night apart from asking us to go out for the toilet.

I'm sure you'll be fine :)

[Spotty528]

We had our pup at 10 weeks, i had similar concerns to yours but he’s been great. He was the last pup to leave and they separated him at night from his mum for the last 3 nights so he was used to sleeping on his own when we got him.

[Whitney168]

Depends on various things, not least the breed and how good the breeder is!

[LochJessMonster]

12 weeks is fine. 7/8 weeks is too early.
They need the time to develop social skills with their siblings.
A good breeder will socialise the dogs whilst there, exposing them to normal household sounds (hoover, washing machine etc) and should start toilet training them as well which will help.

[frostedviolets]

Mine came at 10 weeks.
Absolutely fine

[LovelyPuddings]

I've had puppies at 8-9 weeks but if I ever chose a puppy again, I'd be looking to take it a bit later (10+ weeks) because they really do benefit from the extra time with their mum and litter.

[StillMedusa]

My brother's arrived at 12 weeks and is delightful.
Mine arrived at 9 weeks and is also delightful, but of the two I'd say his is much more relaxed around strangers etc even though we followed socialisation guidelines perfectly... puppies are individuals .

I'd assume 12 weeks is fine, especially if he's had his jabs by then, and just make sure he s being socialised, as well as being with Mum!

[MustardScreams]

Depends on the breed, the breeder and the pups really. The breeder has got to socialise and get the pups used to lots of different things - cars, noisy places, people, children, bicycles and tons more. So if you trust the breeder is able to do that 12 weeks is ok. If they’re not going to socialise properly then you could end up with a reactive dog.

[Scarsthelot]

We got our first dog at 11 weeks. Was great. Easy to train. Dream puppy.

But then we took a rescue in who was we believe about 6 weeks. And she has been great. At 8 weeks she is toilet trained, mostly. We were just fostering her. But we have adopted her, now.

She had some extra needs being so young and 6 weeks is not ideal or recommended. If shevhadnr been abandoned, we wouldnt never take a dog that young.

It really does depend on the dog and how experienced you are. The younger, the more specialist care.

[Annasgirl]

Well I just put my name down for a dog with a breeder who was recommended. He does not like people to take pups before 13 weeks as he likes to have them trained. He said if people take them before that, they have to be able to toilet train the pup themselves. He also preferred to train the dog to socialise - I thought this was a good sign as it means he spends longer with the puppies and they spend longer with their mum. He has been in this business years and gets lots and lots of referrals as his dogs are so well behaved.

[MustardScreams]

@Annasgirl in all likelihood you will still have to toilet train. A new environment and lots of changes for a young pup will mean you’ll still have to take them out after meals or drinks, playtimes, sleeps and every half an hour in between until they’re settled. I’ve trained lots of dogs and none of them have been toilet trained fully by 13 weeks!

[berryfull]

Thank you! This is very helpful

[Annasgirl]

@MustardScreams - oh yes he has been very clear that I will still have to train the dog - essentially watch it like a hawk and as soon as it jiggles, take it outside so it gets used to the routine of loo = outside. Plus he said they are tiny with tiny bladders so cannot hold it in. But we have looked into this over a period of 5 years and are satisfied a well bred pup is the best option for our family (we went down the rescue route but with allergies and children there was no available suitable dog - the suitable ones were all gone to people on waiting lists.).