We are visiting our puppy this weekend. So exciting! They are 5 weeks old. The breeder said we need to be aware that since the pups havent had their 1st set of shots yet that we cannot play with the puppies. Thats a tad disappointing, but I understand (sort of). I dont remember getting to hold or play with my last lab when I visited him at 4-5 weeks. So is that pretty normal? I can understand wanting to limit germs on the young dogs, but I didnt think puppies could pick up illnesses from people? I'm bringing my young kids, so maybe thats why. Maybe the breeder is just overly cautious (which is perfectly fine!) I thought handwashing would be enough. Thoughts? We are bringing a toy to leave with the puppy so he/she will have something that smells familiar to them when we bring the pup home in 3 weeks.
Re: Visiting puppies! this seems odd to me... i don't know. i was allowed to hold orion at 5 weeks..... maybe it just varies by breeder/person? maybe someone else with more knowledge can weigh in here.... either way, hooray for your new baby!
Re: Visiting puppies! Hmm...I kind of think it could have to do with the kids. Maybe she just doesnt want alot of people handling the puppies and so she just allows people to look. Or maybe she thinks the kids will man-handle the pups and she wants to make it clear to begin with that they wont be allowed to do that. In any case, only 3 more weeks and then we can touch our pup as much as we want.
Re: Visiting puppies! My breeders were very careful. I could hold Chepi at 4 and a half weeks but had hand cleaning stuff plus a kill-all germ shoe dip to do beforehand . All the buyers were very well vetted and I don't think they would have hesitated to turn me away if not happy. Also, my pup didn't have jabs until 9 weeks which was calculated on the last day she fed off her mum (so the mum's anti-bodies wouldn't stop the injections from working). Is your breeder giving jabs before you collect your pup? I guess you have to trust your breeder or if you are uneasy then don't have the puppy. Hope it is all fine!!
Re: Visiting puppies! And we had to have a clean set of clothes on and not been to visit other litters in the previous 3 weeks. Great stuff, my pup was protected from disease. However, Chepi chose me and clambered all over me so touch was very important.
Re: Visiting puppies! [quote author=Jane Martin link=topic=7790.msg108997#msg108997 date=1410534765] And we had to have a clean set of clothes on and not been to visit other litters in the previous 3 weeks. Great stuff, my pup was protected from disease. However, Chepi chose me and clambered all over me so touch was very important. [/quote] Same happened with Bouncer, I think dogs choose us rather than the other way around. I am very pleased for you, it wont be long before your home smells off au de puppy. Its lovely.
Re: Visiting puppies! Thanks. We did just put our old lab down the other day. He had cancer. Our new puppy should be getting its first set of shots at 6 weeks. We pick up the pup at 8 weeks. I feel fine with the breeder, just noting that she is more protective of the puppies in terms of handling them, which is OK. Our last breeder I feel was similar, but maybe didnt state it. Maybe it has to do with the kids coming.
Re: Visiting puppies! [quote author=cubby link=topic=7790.msg109018#msg109018 date=1410542627] Thanks. We did just put our old lab down the other day. He had cancer. [/quote] I can totaly relate to that, my last dog died of cancer in January, but due to unavoidable consequences we have only just got Bouncer to replace him. That was a long 8 months or so.
Re: Visiting puppies! When i went to see Bonny at 1 week old it was very much like that. I was allowed to touch her and got a little hold but only after all the precautions you have all said and the breeder was keen the kids didn't touch them and mum had her head on my lap the whole time (then nosed at the pup when she was fed up of it being touched) i understand some breeders don't like the pups being held etc but i have a lot of experience with animals (manager at pet store before my current job!) and basically it's all down to the pups mum being okay with it (and being very very clean!) Enjoy your pup!!
Re: Visiting puppies! Thanks! We did get to pet the puppies the mom dog was very nice. We didn't get to pick them up though. In 2 weeks we can go back and pick our puppy and this time play with them all to help us decide which one we want.
Re: Visiting puppies! We were not allowed to even touch our pup until we/and the breeder had decided whether he was the one for us. Hygiene was very strict, even a a disinfectant foot bath outside the front door.
