According to contradicting information I have read online, the “optimal age” is somewhere between seven and nine weeks. What suggestions would you guys make? Mostly, I am attempting to determine between 8 and 9 weeks.
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Hi Puppy_Prowes!
I understand your confusion, there’s definitely a lot of differing advice out there!
Based on my experience and research, the optimal age to bring a puppy home is indeed between 8 and 9 weeks.
Here’s why:
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Socialization with Littermates: Up to 8 weeks, puppies learn crucial social skills from their mother and littermates. This period is essential for their behavioral development.
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Adaptability: Around 8 weeks, puppies are still young enough to easily adapt to new environments and form strong bonds with their new families. They are also generally more receptive to training and new experiences.
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Health Considerations: By 8 weeks, puppies have usually had their first round of vaccinations, making them a bit safer to introduce to their new homes and environments.
Ultimately, whether you choose 8 or 9 weeks, you are within the generally recommended timeframe.
It’s also important to consider the individual puppy’s readiness and the breeder’s advice.
Does anyone else have insights or personal experiences to share on this?
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A puppy should ideally remain with their mother and siblings until they reach a minimum age of 8 weeks.
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It’s generally not advisable for puppies to leave their mom before 8 weeks. In the past, puppies were often sent to new homes around 6 weeks since they were usually weaned by then. Nowadays, 8 weeks is considered the minimum for most dogs. For large breeds, I prefer 10-12 weeks, and for small breeds, 14-16 weeks.
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They say the longer you can leave them the better. I’ve see 8-10 weeks as standard, 7 is not long enough. I’d recommend 10 weeks if you can swing it with the breeder.
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Puppies are usually ready to leave their mother and littermates at about 8 weeks old. This period ensures they have received proper nutrition and socialization from their family.
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Puppies can generally leave their mother at around 8 weeks of age. This timing allows them to have received important socialization from their mother and littermates, which is crucial for their development. It also ensures they are weaned and ready to transition to solid food and begin bonding with their new human family in a stable environment.
When deciding the optimal age to adopt a puppy, I found that most reputable sources and my own experience suggest that around 8 weeks is generally ideal. At this age, puppies have typically completed their socialization period with their littermates and mother, which is crucial for their emotional and behavioral development. It’s important to ensure they have received proper vaccinations and veterinary care before bringing them home.
I adopted my own puppy at 8 weeks and found it to be a good balance between ensuring they are ready to bond with their new family and continuing their early socialization in a new environment. If possible, consulting with a veterinarian or experienced breeder can provide further guidance based on the specific breed and individual puppy’s needs.
Rehoming pups typically takes two months. You could take the puppies right now if you are able to take them all and bottle feed them. To aid in their socialization, you should just keep the puppies together until they are eight weeks old. Would the owner allow you to take them all at this time, even Mama Dog? She’s probably just as cold and has the same amount of parasites.