Puppy at 8 or 12 weeks :S

[Kentai]

Hi everyone,

I have just put down a deposit for a working line pup that should be ready to leave at the start of May however as a university student I will not be finished until the start of June. Although it is possible to work things around a new puppy and keep him at my university accomodation until I move home I know this is not an ideal situation for him. The main problems are moving him to a new home after just 4 weeks and that I would be out of the house up to 8 hours a day broken into 4 x 2 hour slots.

What I really need some advice on is whether leaving the pup until 12 weeks is going to make a big differance to the adult dog in terms of socialisation and bonding ect :S

The breeder is fantastic so im sure he will be fine there but im just not sure what is the best course of action.

Thanks,

[Jon]

I would suggest putting off getting your pup until you can commit more time to them. I took time off work when Jackson first arrived, your pup will need to be let out to toilet train ever hour when young.

Are you also sure that your Uni accomodation will let you keep a dog? My uni certainly did not. It would be awful for you to pay so much only to find that you cannot keep him/her.

[Fi1805]

Most good breeders will keep a pup for the right owner until the situation is appropriate but I'm sure you know that from 8-12weeks is a cruicial socialising phase for a pup.

A lot of breeders that I spoke to said they would be prepared to keep a pup for a few extra weeks and do some of the initial socialising so I guess you would have to speak to the breeder to find out what they are prepared to do.

I don't think that taking on a pup at 12 weeks would affect the bond with you. I don't think it matters what age you take on a dog, its the time spent with them, training and playing etc. that create the bond, not the age IMO

Not sure if you have had a pup before but between me and my OH we took off the first month - it was a lot of hard work. I would have thought that if you are still at uni for the first month it probably isnt going to be ideal to have the sleepless nights that come with having a puppy! But you are probably much younger than me so maybe you can cope

[LOVEGSD]

I can't add much more to what has already been said, 8-12weeks is such a crucial time I would rather the pup be with me to start that socialisation personally.

[Kentai]

Thanks for the input guys,

The pup I wanted was from a specific litter so the timing had to work around finishing uni sadly. Due the the bitch coming into season slightly earlier than anticipated its caused this problem with the overlap on finishing dates.

I have a job already lined up for after graduatiuon however I have agreed to take the first 3 months off just for socialising and training my new pup. The breeder I have chosen seems very reasonable and I know he has done this with other dogs so it should not be an issue but what specific socialisation goals should have been acheived by the 12 week point?

Although I am at uni the flat i'm in would be fine to keep a dog in but I think its not really fair for a new pup to have to fit in with so many other things. I guess one alternative could be to visit the pup at the breeders 2 days a week until I am ready to take it home? Would it be possible to acheive some of the socialisation goals in this type of time frame?

Sorry to keep asking what must appear to be obvious questions to you guys but I really want to make sure I get it right with this pup. Thank you all for so many quick and helpful answers

[LOVEGSD]

Please don't apologise for asking questions, everyone is always happy to answer any you may have and this is what this forum is for.

As for socialising you want your pup to come into contact with as many possible sights, sounds and smells as you can cram in, you don't want a nervy GSD so carrying him/her round shops so they can meet people & children, parks, hearing sirens for example, loud noises, domestic noises like the hoover/washing machine. Seeing and meeting puppies and adult dogs....the list is endless and I could be here forever typing it all up and I'd be bound to miss some

[Kentai]

Thank you for the help, I think I will ask the breeder to keep him until 12 weeks but try to go down a couple of times a week for socialisation with him. Then i'll have 3 months off to do everything else I wanted to get sorted before I go back to work.

Really exited about getting my pup now and I will certainly stay on the forums to try and pick up as much as I can and let you know how hes getting on

[Stuart]

Welcome to the forum.... all good advice, It would be good if the breeder helped out with the socialisation while you are away too, the pup cant get too much socialisation

[LOVEGSD]

Originally Posted by Kentai

Thank you for the help, I think I will ask the breeder to keep him until 12 weeks but try to go down a couple of times a week for socialisation with him. Then i'll have 3 months off to do everything else I wanted to get sorted before I go back to work.

Really exited about getting my pup now and I will certainly stay on the forums to try and pick up as much as I can and let you know how hes getting on

Sounds like a good plan.....

I don't blame you at all, I would be beside myself waiting for a new addition...lol....stick around we'd love to see and hear all about your new pup...x

[super D]

Good luck and enjoy xxx