Hi - I am getting a new lab at 13 weeks. We can't take him home earlier because of a previously booked vacation. I know 8 weeks is ideal. Has anyone else taken their puppy home closer to 13 or 14 weeks? This is my family's first puppy! We have 3 kids - 11, 9 and 7.
We brought Willow home at 8 weeks and Shadow at 14 weeks (same litter, long story). With Shadow, he was more nervous being left alone but had much better bite inhibition - in fact, we didn't go through the crocopup phase with him at all! I don't know how much of this was down to just personality or whether it was due to spending more time in the company of his mum and siblings. Two of the others were picked up around that time, too, because of vacations the same as you. You'll just need to cram a load of socialisation in once you bring him home, because you'll only have a couple of weeks left of that "magic window". Having said that, it's not as if there's a cut-off switch and you can't socialise them after 16 weeks! Will the breeder be getting all the vaccinations done, so that you can walk him as soon as you get him home?
Welcome to the forum, we are Hattie 7 years and our rescue Charlie 4 years. Hattie is our first dog and we brought her home at 13 weeks as this was the breeders choice and without any issues at all. She is the loveliest dog that loves everyone and she has been brought up with our 4 children and at that time we had chickens, ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs and 2 cats and she never chased or touched them ever. We went to puppy class with her for socialisation and basic obedience, she came to school with me twice a day, Scouts etc. to meet lots of adoring children and adults, we walked with lots of dogs, other than that we didn't do anything else because we didn't know what we know now. I think we are very lucky that she has a great personality and very trainable. Good luck!! Helen x
I brought Myles home at 11 weeks only because he had to be flown to me and we kept running into winter storms. I was very worried about missing those few weeks of socialization, etc. And my vet made us start on vaccinations from scratch so it was limiting as far as not being able to take him places or start puppy training earlier. But same as Snowbunny with Shadow, I never went through a crocopup phase with Myles. Just never had the biting issues that so many complain about. So that was a big plus. All in all, I'm sure you will adjust fine. I would check into vaccinations and see if breeder can get a few rounds in while they have him.
We didn't bring Lilly home until 11 weeks or so. Then had to restart our vaccination programme. And we knew nothing about the whole socialisation thing (or anything about much to be honest) Apart from dodgy recall she has turned out pretty good. We don't go into town much, but when we do she is quite ok. Doesn't seem to react to anything much - cars lorries buses bikes - takes it all in her stride. We did discover at easter (she is now 5) that she doesn't like bikers in helmets. For some reason. Just barked at them. I don't think you should worrry too much. Good luck.
Shelby came home when she was nearly 12 weeks old. She was already fully vaccinated so we had no quarantine time what was great. She also never been a crocopup & she has grown into well balanced dog. I don't think staying longer with mum will harm the puppy if a breeder takes care about socialisation & basic training.
