When I first heard this tip from one of Australia’s best dog trainers, I was floored!
This one tip could save you maybe years of trouble… and you don’t even have to do anything extra or special.
I will use this tip for every dog I own for the rest of my life
listen now!
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I have always advised that a puppy should never be bought before 8 weeks minimum.
Personally, my puppies are left on their mother until she decides that they should be weaned – this can be at quite a late stage but never before 5 weeks. None have gone to their new homes before this decision by the dam is made. In the extremely rare instance (I have had only one) that it is later than 12 weeks I keep that puppy and it stays with us permamently. I should add that my breed is a very primitive one.
I know of an adult bitch that has severe behavioural problems which I have always put down to her being forcefully weaned at 3 weeks and homed at 6. She was froma breeder of longstanding whose dogs always seem to have behavioural problems of some sort. If this bitch had been placed with any other owner but this very responsible woman I am certain she would have been put down!
thanks for being a responsible breeder
The best dogs on the planet are strays and rescues. We’ve got 5 cats and 5 dogs – all rescues or former strays. In fact, our latest addition is a kitten approx. 5 weeks old found by a friend in a tree stump 1 1/2 weeks ago. Two years ago I took in an 11 day old dachshund pup because the mother rejected it. Little one’s that age need A LOT of specialized, non-stop attention.
One of our dogs started out in a puppy mill and lived the first 1 1/2 years of his life in a small kennel with only 15 minutes of outdoor time and very little interaction with another living being. He gets special treatment too. They all get special treatment, because they are all special and have special needs. One size does NOT fit all when it comes to love and discipline! Just like with people.
These strays and rescues are treated better than my kids at times! We live on a farm, and most all the animals interact with each other. The dogs bark at the donkeys, and the donkeys “bark” back! I give everyone their shots, except rabies – we get that at the vet. All the dogs and cats (as well as the farm animals) get one-on-one time with me or my kids daily.
I guess if we lived in town and not on a farm we wouldn’t have so many animals. Then we might be dealing with anxiety problems. But love and discipline flow freely around here! Everyone knows they are safe, wanted and loved. Animals needs aren’t that much different from people’s needs.
I think your going to doggy heaven
Excellent piece of information! All of our pups were purchased between the ages of 10 and 14 weeks old. We have never had a problem with separation anxiety which we are blessed for. But it is so true how often pet shops and breeders make the mistake of pushing the pups out of the nest, so to speak, far to quickly. Thank you for sharing this I am sure it will guide many into making correct and healthy choices for the pups!
I hope it does, a few weeks earlier to profit by the breeder can result in years of anxiety and problems for both dogs and owners… its selfish
Iteresting to hear, need help my German Shepherd pup was about 8 weeks old when I brought him home, have regular play dates with other dogs, and also has my cats ( who actually call out to him) to play with at home, however he still gets sooky when I have to go out even when only for a short while, have tried taking him with me when I can but cant always bring him along, any suggestions on how to settle him down.
We go on regular walks and play each day together, my brother and father also love playing with him, when I know that he will be alone for a long time will leave him with my father and his dogs so he is not bored.
I have a friend whose dog was weened too early and it has a security blanket which it sucks into the back of its mouth like a teat and suckles even though he’s 4 years old…. he’s an extremely anxious dog and I think the last time it felt secure was when suckling its mothers teat and therefore tries to soothe itself by recreating that memory as best it can
Yes, I have already heard this interview. My puppy was 9 weeks and 1 day old. I also got a 3 1/2 year old girl who is the same breed. Bernese Mtn. Dog. They are doing very well. Thanks
My dog, a Lhasa Apso has sep anx a little bit. Can it be undone?
Yes, set very definite pecking order structure in your house with the dog at the bottom. dogs aren’t like humans and are happy to know their place even if it is not pack leader. as bottom member of the pack, it has the least responsibility and is able to relax. when people let their dogs do whatever they want, the dogs feels its pack leader and therefore assumes the role of pack protector and defender which inevitably leads to anxiety
I think it should be 12 weeks, so that the puppy is fully innoculated against the nasty things (Parvo etc?) and he/she has had the mother’s milk in that time which will boost his immunity to infection.
I had a rescue dog about 20 years ago (from a litter of six and they all died from parvo) -Pure black lab – so sad )
Luckily we now have li’l Benji (Jack Russell/Beagle cross, we think); he was a rescue dog but the Dog home were very concerned about diseases etc and were very careful.
He’s so sweet.
John
Between 8 and 12 weeks is fine but older than 12 weeks and the dog will be less likely to bond totally with humans and always prefer the company of other dogs
That was so interesting to hear. I picked up my puppy at nine weeks but she still chews a bit. Not when I’m out so I can leave her alone for a couple of hours inside the house without having to worry. I am still working with the dog training free sessions which are so helpful. Many thanks for sending this information on. I have been back to Angelina’s family home a couple of times now and there have been interesting reactions on both sides. At our last visit recently her mother really didn’t want to know but her father was very friendly as were the other dogs in the house. I love my little Pomeranian and am confident that she will grow to be a good companion adult dog. Only 8 months so time to improve.
All behaviors can be dealt with by sensible behavior training
I have lived with dogs since I was born. My parents raised two litters, one English bulldogs, and the other Staffordshire bull terriers. I’m now 55 and have owned one Staffie and two Boston terriers. I have always known about the 8 week guideline for puppies going to their new owners. All of our dogs have been well balanced and they are able to go anywhere in the house when we are out, never doing any damage. They always have their own toys and generally they decide when they want to play, so I play with them! They also let me know when they need to go out to toilet, not like some owners who decide that for them, at times to suit them and not their dog.
Spoken by an owner of vast experience, I too follow the model of relying on my dog to let me know what it would like to do.
I maintain my position as pack leader but socialize very meaningfully with my dog which creates a special communicative rapport.
I absolutely agree. I had heard a few years ago that 10 weeks was the golden number. It is important to note that aside from separation anxiety, they are learning a lot of proper behavior and etiquette from the mom. When they get too rambunctious, she will mouth their neck, her way of reprimanding them. I was fortunate to know my pup from a couple days old. I was able to visit her often and she had her mom and her auntie to play with and learn from. I kind of eased her into her new household, at about 9 weeks, I would bring her home with me on the weekend, when I wasn’t working, then take her back to be with her mom. It got to where I could tell, she hated to go back. After doing this a few times, she came home to stay. Love her to death. She is a very good girl!
Very sensible way to do it, well done
Thanks Andrew!!! Got my Whippet puppy at 9 weeks…no SA.
Thanks so much–even though I always get older rescues, I know people who get puppies from breeders–great tip! Leigh Ann C.
I agree with this,how ever I got my dog at 5 weeks old because I have been a trainer for 30 years and brought him home to a well balanced safe home with 2 other well trained males. He was crate trained and potty trained with in 5 days and OB was started with treats and posative traing only so he grew up knowing only the right way to do things.By 7 weeks the rest of his litter was dead due to some one comeing to see the puppys with parvo on there feet and it killed every one of them.My dog is wonderful with no behaviour problems but like I said I do agree with with you for the normal house hold,I took this pup early because it was several hundred miles to travel if I had to return for him..Fran Williams
Its interesting to hear that if you are a skilled trainer you can possibly behavior modify your dog to avaoid these problems… eloping to 2 older, already well trained and balanced dogs would also be very impactful
I purchased my dog when she was 11 weeks old and have only one behaviour problem and it is barking. She barks at every dog and children. she is a toy size Yorkshire terrier and she would attack the largest dogs in the street.
How do I correct this?
Establish your dominance as pack leader so she does not think it is her duty to defend the pack
Hi, I just wanted to tell you how I so enjoy your emails. I have a Chocolate Lab mix Hershey and He is the absolute love of my life. I appreciate all the info you have been sending.
Thanks
Hershey and Mom
Interestingly Phyllis, older than 12 weeks has a different set of problems.
Between 8 and 12 weeks is advised.
Tim discusses the probs of separation after 12 weeks in the full interview.
Andy L
I just happened to know this, because I took a puppy class many years ago. I even think 8 weeks is too early. Better 12 to 14 weeks with mom and litter mates.
I have never let my puppies go before they are AT LEAST 10-12 weeks of age. Some people have the audacity to ask for a puppy no older than 8 weeks. Needless to say they WILL NOT get a puppy from me!!
I must say though that I have one pup I kept because I believe he is ADHA! He is nearly 9 months old – I’m hoping he will grow out of this….!!!!
Thank you for this information. It will be very helpful when we look for our next puppy. I wish there was a way to educate breeders about this.
Quite likely they know but getting them out the door earlier is more profitable
Thank you, that was good to know.
Rafaela
As breeder of Siberian Huskies we full agree with that advice. We would be irresponsible to let the puppies go any earlier than 8 weeks.
Good to hear
Quite interesting! I had heard (and believe) that the optimum time for a dog to bond to an owner is at seven (7) weeks of age, and this has been my experience.
In light of the eight (8) week deadline here it makes sense, provided that you treat your pup as an individual (as opposed to a “toaster oven”) and keep it with you to bond with it.
This advice came from a trainer with 20+ years experience. He has a farm with over 50 dogs…. he knows his stuff like no one I’ve ever met before.
Agreed, treat your new pup as a being, not a new thing
Any, finally got my sound back. All but two of my dogs have been rescue so I have no idea how soon they were removed from the litter. Some of them have had or have behavior problems. The two I obtained as puppies were 8-9 weeks old when I got them and they had no problems, so that was interesting to hear.
Thank you, Andrew. This is very valuable information. It seems like such a basic and humane concept, that you would hope all breeders and pet buyers would be aware of it!
Thank You. This is very valuable information. I have in my home right now, examples of well adjusted and not well adjusted dogs, as well as one rescued at the age of 3 weeks, but raised by one of my adult dogs. She is very well agjusted and well behaved. The puppy gotten at 5 weeks, with no mother or littermates to teach her how to be a dog, is consistantly showing us neurotic behavior and anxiety. She has had 3-1/2 years of obedience and socialization classes, but still cannot control herself in a stressful situation. She is a perfect example of a dog that lands up on the street or in a shelter. Fortunately for her I understand her “problems” and I take my commitment to her seriously. Not everyone in your family is always perfect…but you love them anyway!
Thanks for your generous and forgiving spirit
Thanks a million for that tip, Andrew!!
Thanks for the info. I have a question for someone/anyone. We got our shih tzu/terrier at the kennel. He is a wonderful dog except we cannot leave him in the car and go in some place to eat. He panics and cries. Even if we stop at a garage sale, he will panic, even though he can still see us. He is wonderful staying home for up to 6-8 hrs. without an incident. We had a poodle before and he was wonderful to take places. How can we cure him of this?
I’d consider using a reward system to train him to stay in the car.
Start with 1 minute in the car alone then reward. Over time expand this to a longer period.
Great info, and now I know why my Dog behaved and still behaves well, while my friend’s dog which is the brother of mine behaved quite bad and still does.I purchased my ShitZu at 8 weeks and he got his at 7 weeks old.Thanks for the info.
Great information and I hope folks will take it to heart that breeders do not have the humans or the animals best interest in mind when removing the pups at 4 to 6 weeks!
Keep up the good work and I look forward to hearing more.
True
Hi, I just got a 9 week old Bernese Mountain Dog. The breeder likes to keep the puppies with their litter until that age. She is a wonderful puppy and I am working on potty training and the chewing issue. She is very smart and is allmost sleeping thru the night. I also rescued a 3 1/2 year old female Bernese from the same breeder. She had been in a littler of hers 3 years ago and rescued her from a bad situation. We are working out the kinks and shw I am suire will be a lovely girl too.
They are all lovely boys and girls in my experience… sometimes scared or misunderstood perhaps, but always good.
Good info, but oriented towards those whose intent is to start out with a pup. Those who are looking to adopt a shelter or rescue animal, by necessity have to start out without this early control. We are handicapped, but it is essentially, for a good cause. Hopefully you or your guests will be covering some of the possible senarios inclusive of these adopted guys as well.
Yes, in our Club, one of the monthly topics was “Adopting a Dog”
wow my dog just had pups and was considering getting to new homes at 6 wks but now they are not going till at least 8wks. Thank you for tip I want to give them good homes and this might help them to become healthy good dogs again thank you keep them coming….
VERY USEFUL INFORMATION!
ANOTHER REASON FOR PURCHASING A PUPPY FROM A BREEDER, NOT A PET STORE. WHO KNOWS WHO EARLY A PUPPY MAY HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM ITS MOTHER AND LITTER.
THANKS!!
I know owners duped by pet store pups that are much younger than advertised
I didn’t know that and it makes a lot of sense to me. I appreciate this info Andy, and will await your next E-MAIL.
Where can I get the whole interview?
If you become a member of Dog Book of the Month Club
GREAT – BEST YET!
Very interesting and I’ll be sure not to accept a puppy less than 8 wks. That being said, I got a Bouvier puppy last August at 7 weeks and have had no issues of bad behavior (she does have many toys). In fact, she’s the only puppy that I can honestly say has not chewed anybody’s anything.
She’s just been allowed to roam the house while we’re gone and at night and – cross your fingers! – has been great for a week.
I know what he means. I got my dog from a pet store and was told she was 8 weeks old. I figured out later she was only 7 weeks old. Every time I put my shoes and coat on to go out My dog Nikki starts to shake nervously. We put on the radio for her but I do not know what she is doing after everyone leaves. I do know though she is a mama’s girl because if I leave for a few hours to a few days she wines alot. She likes everyone else in the house but I’m the one she misses the most when I’m not there. I have bred dogs and even Nikki and in my belief dogs should not be removed from the mom until they at at lease 8 weeks old. They can not get their first shots until they are at lease 8 weeks old by the vets I know. So if there are vets out there giving puppies their shots before 8 week then shame on you.
excellent info. i’ll pass it on, but it’s too late for me. i have an adult dog with separation anxiety. the vet recommends drugs. i don’t want to drug my dog.
behavior modification training is the best medicine