My friend has gone to look at a puppy today, six weeks old, and was told by the breeder that she couldn't hold any of the puppies because they haven't been vaccinated yet. They've still put a deposit down and the pup will be vaccinated when they go to collect at the end of the month but I found it really strange because we defiantly did when we were looking, and I think my parents held their pup at 4 weeks. Is this something that would set off alarm bells at all?
Our puppy was 4 weeks old when we went to choose her and we were allowed to hold her. We were asked to use hand sanitiser before we did which we readily did
Guide Dog pups have visitors every day from four weeks, visitors take shoes off at the door and wash hands - the pups get lots of handling from all ages of people. The Guide Dog Mummies and Daddies have a tick list of categories of people for them to meet and CDs of noises to play to them too. I visited Mollie Moo and spent a very special day with her litter and Mum.
Did she have a current dog with her? We were asked to not bring our dog (we didn't have one) and to make an appt. but we were allowed to handle puppies as young as 4 weeks too. Maybe Parvo is really bad in that area right now? I had to go through hoops to satisfy the obedience club that I, me, myself, was clean and not contagious when my puppy got Parvo. Puppy Jet was far too weak to resume class herself.
First time I touched my puppy was when I picked her up at 8 weeks. I did visit, but certainly couldn't handle the puppies and didn't know which one was mine or even if I could have one. Only after I had answered a thousand questions, the breeder had seen and examined my current dog - and she was satisfied he was both healthy and slim - and asked me to demonstrate control over him in a wood filled with pheasants, did I get a call a few days later saying I could have a puppy. Charlie nearly blew it for me by whining in the car, which made the breeder close her eyes in despair, but luckily she overlooked that. But I left that visit feeling I wasn't worthy to have a puppy! From the breeder's point of view, a puppy buyer is a complete stranger. If I had a litter of precious puppies, I wouldn't let anyone touch them until I was satisfied they were a) sensible b) someone I might be prepared to sell a puppy to. So no, not on its own this wouldn't be alarming.
As long as everything else is in order, I wouldn't worry. We weren't allowed to handle our first pup either. We had to use a hand sanitiser and a foot dip when we collected him.
I guess it varies from breeder to breeder. Perhaps it has something to do with the prevalence of parvo (and similar) in the area of perhaps it's just their preference. Either way, as others have said, I wouldn't suggest it's a cause for concern. (btw.. We had cuddles with Ella at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks )
