socialisation window for miniature schnauzer

[NancySpero]

We're planning on getting a miniature schnauzer puppy soon and I am currently on the waiting list for 2 litters. Because of a booked holiday, I would have to collect one at 12.5 weeks and the other at 8 weeks. Both are amazing breeders but I am slightly concerned that leaving the puppy until 12.5 weeks is too long and that the socialisation window will start to close. Do any of you knowledgable dog people have thoughts on this? It will be our first dog.

[NancySpero]

Sorry, my question is which one would you go for? We are not getting 2

[BiteyShark]

I think there are pros and cons to both.

For the 8 week one you can get it used to your schedule and things that you will encounter in your house and out and about. However, toilet training, mouthing, separation etc is hard work as well from that age.

For the 12 week one if the breeder has done a lot of socialisation and toilet training for you then you may end up with an easier and more confident puppy.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Typically the main socialisation window is open until 16 weeks.

Would the breeder of the 12 week pup take the dog out to see the world, even though it would have to be carried? Is the pup being exposed to normal household things like vacuums, washing machines and the doorbell?

Are there any plus points to the 12 week pup that would make you want to take that one over the 8 week pup?

[NancySpero]

Both very good and experienced breeders so I would hope the 12 week one would be properly socialised and she has assured me it will be fine - she is a dog trainer and behaviourist so she should know what she is doing. 12 wk one is on a farm with other dogs and animals but no children (I have 3) and quite isolated in the countryside. Also, I would have to have a girl pup.

8 week one not born yet but breeders are v v experienced and well regarded. Would have choice of litter. Not visited yet.

So hard to decide what is right for pup and us!

[LochJessMonster]

12 weeks would be my preference.

The main thing you need to work on early with min schn is the barking. They are bred as 'alarm dogs' therefore are genetically geared to bark at anything and everything. You need to get this under control early!

[NancySpero]

Thanks @LochJessMonster you don't think there would be a problem with socialisation then?

[LochJessMonster]

I would ask the breeder what socialisation she would be doing, it looks like the puppy will be exposed to other animals and dogs which is good. They learn valuable things like bite inhibition, social interactions, etc when left longer with the litter.

The breeder should get them use to everyday house sounds such a the hoover, washing machine etc

Plus, by the time you get her she will have had the vaccinations she needs so you can take her out and about before the '16 weeks' limit.

In general, the smaller the breed, the longer they should stay with mum and 12 weeks is not uncommon.

[Nojeansplease]

It depends how the 12 weeks one will be treated.
We got one at 8 weeks, option to leave it longer but Breeder’s lived in countryside with barky dogs. We didn’t want ours to learn to bark too much and also we needed him to get used to city sounds and walks etc
Another dog we looked at was going to be on a farm, but not in the house, so it wouldn’t be used to house noises etc or many people, but would be used to other animals.
As we live in the city being ok at the sight of a cow isn’t as important as being ok with a hoover.

Lots of dogs we looked at would come with with first vax but not second, so if we picked the dog up at 12 weeks we would need to then get second vax (advised time do so after dog has had time to settle in) which would mean more time that puppy couldn’t be out walking

There were 7 in our litter in the end, no way could breeders take them all out for house training, so they were pad training at 8 weeks when we took him. I would’ve had to start house training later, when he was more used to the pads if we had left him there (unless he was one of the last to go, then They may have house trained)

But when we got him he was young and tiny and a bit nervous and I couldn’t leave him alone for 2 seconds without him freaking out
And it was generally draining
If I’d got him at 12 weeks perhaps he would’ve been a Bit more confident and independent having benefited from the extra time with his mum.

It’s just weighing up what’s easiest and best for you in the first few weeks.
Either way I think they’re both young enough that if you work hard you can socialise anyway and train whatever you need to
Id maybe be more interested in the option of pick of the litter - and therefore the temperament you want, and which breeders done any/more health checks or got champions in the line if you want to show etc

[adaline]

We got our puppy at 12 weeks.

He came pretty well socialised, about 80% toilet trained and with a knowledge of basic commands (sit, lie down, paw, stay).

I don't recognise most of the puppy threads on here and he was actually pretty easy to raise. The teenage years were another matter entirely

[FleaTrainerExtraordinaire]

12 weeks old with a good, knowledgeable breeder would be my top choice - by far.

Weeks 8-12 predominately deal with learning how to interact with other dogs and so this extra time with his litter wil be brilliant for raising a dog that is less likely to be fearful or reactive, more likely to have good dog/dog communication skills.

If the breeder is also covering off other experiences during this time then that's the dog I would go for.

Besides, a socialisation window doesn't ever really slam shut. Yes, dogs accept new experiences more readily during the first few weeks but they are still quite capable of learning and accepting new things all through their life.

[Booboostwo]

If you can trust the breeder to do the socialization then 12 weeks will be fine. But I would want the breeder to give me a list of the things she will do by 12 weeks. There are good schedules and programmes for socialization online. I would also want the breeder to have introduced the puppy to children by 12 weeks.