What age can a puppy leave it's Mum?

[sarah8484]

Just that really. Im having a beautiful puppy soon, he is 4 weeks old and I asked when he's ready and been told in 2 weeks? (If eating independently) Im thinking 6 weeks is too young? Have googled it but I'm getting different answers from 6, 8, 9 and even 12 weeks?

[Malteserdiet]

We bred our Labrador 2 years ago and she had 7 puppies which started to go to their families from 8 weeks. They were all definitely weened by 6 weeks and not as fussed by having their mum around but the last week or two were so important for their social development.
It was noticeable that the behaviour of our lab changed towards them and it became clearly evident that she was busy teaching them how to be a socially acceptable dog. By that I mean that she used to play tug of war with them and deliberately win and she also went up and took toys and food from them. This taught them dog hierarchy and how to deal with a more dominant dog. She also reprimanded any puppy being a bit too boisterous with her or their siblings so that they learned their own strength and boundaries.
Without a doubt they were ready for much closer human attention and interaction from 7 1/2 weeks ish and the few I kept a bit longer until 9 and 10 weeks I would say needed to have gone at 8 as that is when they start to need human training about what they can and can’t chew and what behaviour is acceptable in a home etc.
As a previous family pet breeder, I would recommend not picking the puppy up until at least 7 1/2 weeks at the absolute earliest.

[FairfaxAikman]

8 weeks is the minimum and 12 is preferable. They learn how to be a dog from mum and can better cope with the separation.
I've only ever had one dog at 6 weeks and that was because mum became very unwell. The breeder knew us and knew we were experienced owners so we took her early to ease the pressure on looking after the rest of the litter.
She is the only pup we've ever had behavioural problems with (resource guarding being the worst one) and I do wonder if it was having her early that played a part.

[thecapitalsunited]

Puppies learn a lot about the world and how to be hand from the mum at that age. Particularly bite inhibition. The feedback from the mother and siblings is vital for a puppy’s understanding of how to moderate bite pressure. This is learned a lot quicker from mum than you so the longer with mum the better.

[JoxerGoesToStuttgart]

I'd say 6 or 8 weeks doesn't make much difference

Christ. This is why there should be exams and licenses for anyone breeding dogs.

[Viletta]

@adaline he mentioned that, but he said studies show 7 weeks is perfect in terms of socializing in new home. We got ours at 6 weeks when we lived abroad and she is a gorgeous healthy well behaved dog. 8 weeks is the UK law not necessary everywhere else in the world. I had dogs all my life and we bread puppies, I'd say 6 or 8 weeks doesn't make much difference if the puppy is healthy weight. It's only my opinion though.

[adaline]

Our dog behaviorist suggested 6-7 weeks is perfect

That's against the law in the UK. Puppies must be a minimum of eight weeks old when they go to their new homes (assistance dogs are the only exception).

[JoxerGoesToStuttgart]

[Viletta]

Our dog behaviorist suggested 6-7 weeks is perfect

[sophiasnail]

They can leave their mothers physically at 6 weeks, but shouldn't leave their mum/ litter mates until 8 weeks because this is when and how they learn their social skills.

With smaller (so faster maturing) and very intelligent breeds it is advisable to get them at 8 weeks because they are at their very most trainable between 8 and 12 weeks.

At 12 weeks a toy poodle, for example, figures out that training is a negotiation!

[Wolfiefan]

A friend of a friend and accidental mating?
Screams either irresponsible backyard breeder or front for puppy farmer.
If you want a pedigree pup then go through the breed club. Go to someone who selects parents carefully and does health testing prior to mating.

[EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall]

We got our shih Tzu at 8 weeks. He was fine. Mum won't be neutered yet. She's still feeding the pups!

The kitten we've had since 6 weeks is another matter. He's a real bitey so and so

[Moondancer73]

If the person is telling you 6 weeks I'd have to question if they are puppy farmers. Have you seen the pup with mum and in proper family, homely surroundings or is there anything that rings alarm bells? 6 weeks is way too early, 9 weeks is the earliest I'd take a pup from its mother.

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

10 weeks and he wasn't the worst puppy. He was toilet trained (near enough), had practiced on the lead round the garden, knew a few very basic bits and pieces like sitting.

I was torn between 10 and 12 weeks though especially as he was living in a big noisy household so lots of socialisation by accident and but the breeder following a strict plan too. I think either age would have worked with him. Having to keep him off walks for 2 weeks was a pain for sure. He went out of the house with me a lot in those 2 weeks but there were days I'd have loved him to burn some energy off.

I'd have felt less confident if the breeder wasn't as experienced as she is because I'd have worried about a 10 or 12 week puppy missing out on socialisation.

[Soubriquet]

8 weeks minimum but smaller breeds benefit from 12 weeks

[adaline]

It's illegal to sell a puppy until it's eight weeks of age. The only exception to this is guide dogs.

We got ours at 12 weeks which lots consider too old but it was perfect for us. He was already pretty much toilet trained, knew not to nip/bite, and already did things like sit for his meals. It also meant he came to us fully vaccinated so we could take him straight out for walks too, so we didn't have to deal with a hyper puppy who couldn't go out properly.

I would recommend 10 weeks as an absolute minimum. The law says 8 but personally I feel it's too young.

[JoxerGoesToStuttgart]

Why are you paying someone for being utterly neglectful and risking their dog’s life?

If you actually wanted a dog why didn’t you go for a rescue or at the very least a proper breeder? Your basically lining the pockets of someone for doing naff all and they'll do it again now because it’s profitable. And you’ve no idea of the health of the dog you’re buying. You’re being really irresponsible.

[FunkySnidge]

The sad thing is that if the breeders are that clueless, the pup isn't necessarily any better off being left with them for a few extra weeks

[sarah8484]

Typo *Shih Tzu

[PhilomenaButterfly]

8 weeks, when they're weaned.

[Span1elsRock]

Most vets vaccinate at 8 weeks, and you have the microchip done at the same time.

I'd refuse it until then.

[sarah8484]

Its a Shiz tzu. Im not sure if dog has been neutered. Will mention when i next see them, maybe their reply will confirm if it was a 'accident' or not.

[LizB62A]

If it was an "accidental" pregnancy, has the mother dog been neutered now to prevent it happening again?

What breed puppy is it ?

[FurrySlipperBoots]

If the breeder lets the puppy go before 8 weeks it means they are dodgy as hell

In a nutshell. Personally I would run like the bloody wind OP. They haven't even bothered to learn the basics have they? Idiots.

We made the mistake of taking on our first puppy at 6 weeks old. He was so little he was still 'kneading' his blanket and suckling in his sleep. He was also very sick with the biggest lice infestation the vet had ever seen. The woman who owned his mum hadn't meant to be cruel, she was just very, very stupid.

[sarah8484]

Thank you everyone for replies and information. The pup is from a friend of a friend and as far as im aware it was an accidental pregnancy. The pup price includes first injections, flee and worm treatment and micro chip. Maybe they are just unaware of what age a pup can go. Definitely won't be taking him before 10 weeks as he is a small breed dog. Thank you all again.

[DamonSalvatoresDinner]

Many Puppies and kittens are taken from their mums at 6 weeks because the mums get nippy and often growl at them. It's mistakenly seen as mum getting fed up of them or losing patience. It's not. It the time of vital teaching of behaviour and manners.
Kittens and pups taken away before mum has had the chance to teach these invaluable lessons can act aggressive and don't know when to stop nipping. I have a cat who's mum died leaving her alone at 2 weeks old. She never learned proper cat behaviour and was unaware of how she was suppose to act. Lily lily she's just loopy and fun but we did have to teach her not to be so rough and violent.

Tell the breeder you're not interested in taking a pup early because you need it to be trained by mama dog. Get it at 8 or better yet, 10 weeks.