Moose031218 12wks.jpg It's always exciting to get a new puppy, and getting Moose was no exception. But now, after watching the changes in him over the last 5 weeks , I really wish the breeders hadn't been so eager to insist their puppies be picked up at 7 weeks. I think just one more week with his momma would have done so much to help him. He's really coming around now, doesn't harass the little dog quite so much, and he is less bitey and doing well with house training. I can't imagine life without my little Moose now. So eager to please. When he's ready to play, he brings his toy and pushes it at me, it's soooo cute!
We had some pressure put on us by the breeder of our previous lab to pick her up at 7 weeks, I think because the puppies were so lively. However we had booked time off work so that between us there would always be someone at home with her until she was fully vaccinated so we stuck to the original plan of 8 weeks. I agree that that final week with her mother made a big difference, She was such a confident pup when we got her and settled in really quickly. Glad to hear Moose is coming around now and that you are enjoying him.
I was pressurised into picking Ripple up at 7 weeks, I was very unhappy about it as we had originally been told 8 weeks. For reasons I won't go into it was made virtually impossible for us to do anything else. I think he could have benefited with the extra week with his mum and litter mates, but of course I'll never know whether it would have made a difference.
Have to say the best pup I've had was Jen who was 10 weeks old when she left the breeder - the norm for most breeders in France. She was well socialised, very nearly toilet trained and not at all bitey UK law states that a pup can't leave mum/litter until 8 weeks of age and now must be microchipoed as well. Worth remembering if a breeder tries to have pups leave before that age.
Does this apply in Scotland? - often things are different here. Is this quite a recent law? - I knew about the micro chipping but not the puppy's age.
I'm the same. I thought it was 7 weeks here. We had the option from our breeder to be fair. They only stated absolutely not before 7 weeks.
Has this actually been made law yet? I know the 1999 act made it illegal for registered breeders (five or more litters a year) to sell puppies under 8 weeks of age to the general public, though not pet shops, but didn’t think it had yet been changed to all breeders and all sales. @Moosenme I got Molly at 7 weeks and she was much more bitey than my previous dog who was 10 weeks old when I bought him. However she’s grown into a lovely affectionate and playful girl, so I wouldn’t let the odd week trouble you. (I am in favour in principle of pups staying with mother till 8 weeks.)
I got Stanley at 9 weeks and he was still the devil in disguise. Full blown crocodor and drove me round the bend
We got Quinn at 7 weeks and she was not an overly bitey pup and she was not destructive at all...maybe spending an extra week or two with her siblings would have given her more confidence, but maybe not.
Thanks, all. Well, I can't unring that bell, so we work with what we have. I was the first to respond to the ad about the pups, so got the pick. Moose was, according to the owner, the calmest of the litter, and he came and sat at my feet when I went to pick him up. Stole my heart at that very moment. He does face challenges, like my little chi, Miley, despising him, but is a happy boy. She is def guarding her territory for all she's worth. When they are outdoors, they seem to get along well. So today it's beautiful out, they are going to spend a great deal of the day outdoors together. I have to brag on Moose. He has only chewed on my oxygen tubing once! He picked up on that being a huge No! right from the beginning. And he's earned the bed, no longer is crated at night. And even enjoys cuddling a bit. I had originally thought to put him on the dog bed (I have a lovely supportive Serta bed for him), but decided it would do him a world of good to be up with us, as Miley is on the bed at night.
Tatze came to me at 10 weeks, she was with Mum and another littermate until then. She was a total crocapup
I'm thinking of letting Bon have puppies, and been investigating the Puppy Culture protocol. I got Bon at just before 8 weeks and she's been amazing, but I think I was lucky- her only problem is a rookie spaniel owner for a mum! I think I'd keep her pups longer- maybe to 12 weeks and past the fear period- and only let them go early to very experienced homes. Although, I am sure that eight weeks with WCS puppies will be feel quite enough! The last litter of kittens I had were absolute hooligans by six weeks old.
@Joy and @SteffiS the 1999 Animal Welfare Act is directed at 'Licenced Breeders@ but also adds "Breeding Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare Act) 1999 (applicable in England and Scotland) Breeders who breed five or more litters per year must be licensed by their local authority. Breeders with fewer litters must also be licensed if they are carrying out a business of breeding dogs for sale." Arguably this covers anyone whose bitch produces a litter of puppies which they then sell - hopefully this will be clarified in the forthcoming laws. Personally I can't see how it would be acceptable for a pup to leave mum and siblings at 7 weeks because they are from a 'hobby breeder' rather than 8 weeks from a 'licenced' breeder.
We got our first lab when she was 10 weeks. She was an amazing sweet pup and dog. We never had a lab as she was...She was a working dog. The breeder had her already taught her basics. She was gun proof. Our second was 8 weeks. A croco pup. Very demanding. But after puberty a sweet boy. Our Finn was 7,5 weeks old. That was a challenge. He was brought up by humans, bottle fed. He had 7 littermates. I often asked myself what i let myself into....Croco pup. Now he is 4 he becomes a bit mature....sometimes....He is very sweet for us. He likes to work and that is what we do with him. So it all depends on the character of the dog and his elders, in my opinion. That is what it makes it important to do your homework before getting a pup from a certain breeder.
Switzerland, I think 8 weeks is the law (although I can't swear to that). I'm surprised that they only keep them 7 weeks in the USA, as the states does seem to claim to be oh so advanced in all things dog related...(note I am from the states).
From the States. Our last 5 labs were 8 weeks old when we could pick up from breeder. Minnesota, Iowa and one from Kansas. They would rather keep them longer than let them go earlier in the 2 where we had some scheduling difficulties.
