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The doghouse

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Original poster

Getting a puppy but now have to go away for a week

20 replies

Dingdong99 · 25/09/2021 06:43

I am due to get a puppy next week when it's going to be 12 weeks old, from an individual who has 3 other puppies in the litter left (as opposed to a breeder)

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I'm going to have to go away for a week, mid October

I'm wondering if I should

A. Pull out altogether
B. Have the pup for 2 weeks, and then she could go back to the person I'm buying off for a week, where she'd be back with her mum and any remaining siblings
C. Just take her home at 15 weeks

I'm thinking A would be most sensible, but would love to know if I'm over thinking it

OP posts:

Biancadelrioisback · 25/09/2021 06:45

If you're having doubts then pull out, but I would speak to the seller and see if C would work. Way less disruptive for the pup.
Offer to pay a fee though as she would essentially be taking care of you're dog.

LadyWithLapdog · 25/09/2021 06:46

C sounds kinder for both.

Original poster

Dingdong99 · 25/09/2021 06:47

I think the seller would be fine with that, but i was wondering if there would be any issues with taking her home so late, like not starting training fast enough

OP posts:

wetotter · 25/09/2021 06:48

If you're thinking A, then are you really ready for dog ownership? I know that's a bit of a blunt question, but it's the option that really wouldn't have occurred to me!

I would be discussing B and C with the breeder.

Is the breeder a friend and will s/he be taking 'her' puppies back for dog boarding lifelong?

Also consider if there is any way at all to:

D - change the nature or timing of the trip
E - especially if shorter trip, use home dog boarding (not all take puppies, but you might find one that does if your circs are an enemergency)

wetotter · 25/09/2021 06:51

@Dingdong99

I think the seller would be fine with that, but i was wondering if there would be any issues with taking her home so late, like not starting training fast enough

All depends on how much the breeder will be doing. If she's only one puppy left, then she should have time to put in to the early training and exposures to the outside world

(BTW your update crossed with my previous post)

Original poster

Dingdong99 · 25/09/2021 06:57

I've ready that the initial socialisation phase only lasts until 16 weeks. But she's is a house with a family, a couple of adult dogs and her siblings. So that sounds like the socialisation aspect should be ok?

The other element is training I suppose

OP posts:

wetotter · 25/09/2021 07:05

Earlyn socialisation period isn't so rigid that it shuts off at 16 weeks and no benefits can be had after that.

Talk to the breeder about what socialisation she will be doing - it's not just meeting people and other dogs, it's getting used to the whole wide world and all its objects, sounds and smells.

icedcoffees · 25/09/2021 07:06

Socialisation is way more than being around other dogs.

She needs to be out and about from 8 weeks (carried) so she can experience the world. Cars, workmen, people in high vis, trains, cyclists, road works, traffic lights, shops, cats, birds, other dogs, barking, car horns, children....

Either you or the breeder need to be fully committed to that, or you will unfortunately end up with a very nervous puppy/dog.

That's not to say all that socialisation needs to be done in a day, but between 8-16 weeks it's important your pup experiences as many positive things as possible.

If you (or the breeder) can't commit to that then you should go for option A.

tabulahrasa · 25/09/2021 07:39

Why does someone who’s not the breeder have the puppies?

Original poster

Dingdong99 · 25/09/2021 07:45

Tabula I have asked my mum but she's not up for it!

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 25/09/2021 08:43

Sorry - I’m asking who has them now? as you said not a breeder...

PollyRoullson · 25/09/2021 08:44

Who are you buying of if not the breeder? Lucy's law has now come into effect so legally you can only buy from the breeder or rescue centre if dog is under 6 months

icedcoffees · 25/09/2021 09:30

I think (I could be wrong) that OP means it's not a registered breeder she's buying from.

RickJames · 25/09/2021 15:35

DH is going to be collecting his puppy at 16 weeks. He's bought her from a friend in the neighbouring country and the pup needs to have the rabies jab (15 weeks) before it can cross the border.

Pup lives on a busy farm with a campsite so has been meeting lots of people, children and animals. She's been taken shopping and walked a lot. I got my dog at 16 weeks, she'd been living in a family home (smallholding) with about 10 other same breed dogs of various ages, with visitors showing up regularly but probably not taken out that much (show breeders). I've never had any problems with her socialisation and, bonus, she was pretty much house trained.

I'd go for asking the breeder to keep her a bit longer. It won't hurt her. But please remember- this is your life now, no more spontaneous trips! They are worse than children for tying you down

Daisy4569 · 25/09/2021 15:38

Definitely C. We picked our pup up at 14 weeks to coincide with the summer hols so I could be home for the initial 6 weeks to settle him in. He picked everything up super quick and we had no issues.

Pumpkintopf · 25/09/2021 16:48

Not sure what you mean by 'individual who has puppies left as opposed to a breeder' - do you mean this person has only had/planned to have one litter ?

If they know what they're doing you'd think they'd have planned to expose the pups as much as possible to the things they'll come across as dogs, and maybe start early training.

If this is the case and you can trust that your pup will be doing all the things you'd have been doing anyway, I'd go with option C as much less disruptive to the pup.

However as a pp has said, the fact that you are even considering option A makes me question whether you're ready for a dog.

alpinia · 29/09/2021 14:10

My parents picked up a puppy then, due to an unexpected death in the family, had to travel long distance about two weeks later. They took the pup with them. Was great for socialisation, pup even came to the funeral which the deceased would have loved.

Netherlandspost · 29/09/2021 14:28

Our puppy was ready on the 26th Sept, but we're away from the 1st - 4th October so the breeder was more than happy to keep him until the 5th October.

But if you are thinking of pulling out, and that option is at the top of your list, then maybe you need longer to think about having a puppy?

Also, if this week away was something that is unforeseen but you need to go, will that situation come up again? If so, what is your plan for next time?

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 29/09/2021 15:03

One week isn't anything in the life of a dog you will have for ten or fifteen years. The fact you're considering A (and put it as A) makes me think you might be reconsidering altogether, which you should take very seriously.

If you're definitely committed to getting the pup, then I don't think there is much difference between B & C - see what the breeder thinks.

LawnFever · 29/09/2021 15:07

I think it’s a bit odd you’re even considering A, are you definitely 100% committed to the idea of having a dog in general if that’s your first thought the first time you need to sort out dog care?

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