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?

[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

[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.

[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!

[Viletta]

Our dog behaviorist suggested 6-7 weeks is perfect

[JoxerGoesToStuttgart]

[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).

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.