A question about age

NickeyG · #1 17-11-2008, 06:18 PM

my puppy is 7 wks now, when the breeder gave her to me she was five weeks he said it was ok because she was eating solid food.
I did my research and everything is going pretty well but i didn't know they were suppose to stay with mommy until 7 weeks.

Do you think she will have problems from this later on? the vet said she was going to be a hefty girl so i worry a little.

Wooferhound · #2 17-11-2008, 06:35 PM

Hi and welcome!

I would most certainly be questioning this 'breeders' motives, puppies SHOULD NOT leave mum until 8 weeks of age, though some allow them to leave at around 7 weeks, but they should not leave them any younger than this.

Puppies NEED to be around mum and litter mates to learn, this is part of their crucial canine socialisation phase and therefore this 'breeder' should know better!

Out of interest...is this 'breeder' Kennel Club registered? If so, report them NOW! There are guidelines that they should be following, and in light of the current negatitivity relating to the KC, this should be something they pounce on immediately!

On a brighter note, congrats on your new arrival, I hope you have a wonderful and full life together.

Jo
x

NickeyG · #3 17-11-2008, 08:34 PM

I didn't know this until after I got Madchen, but she is doing well do you think she will turn out alright ? should i find some other big dogs that are well behaved to play with? i dont think he was really a breeder for profit or anything he just had a couple of bitches and between the two of them their were 19 puppies. the puppies seemed very healthy although the mothers coulda been meatier, but they had so many puppies they were trying to ween.

she is ckc registered, well i havent sent the papers off yet but i plan to.

i love my madchen, and i just hate that i took her away so young in my ignorance, i had already read books about raising a puppy and training and getting everything ready the age i just kinda overlooked, i feel bad.

kita · #4 17-11-2008, 08:54 PM

When you say ckc does that mean Canadian Kennel Club? Are you in Canada?

Guide dogs for the blind in the UK send their pups to private homes at 6 weeks of age as they see this as the best age for a pup to change homes and leave its mother and litter mates. BUT they do say that any younger could have an effect on the way the pup grows up and its interaction with other dogs.

5 weeks is really too young, but what is done is done and the important thing now is to socialise her as well as you can (after all her vaccinations are complete of course). Make sure any adult dogs you socialise her with are totally safe and used to young pups.

What are you feeding her on?

How often are you feeding her?

Being so young she will need quite a few feeds per day of good quality food.

Are you still in touch with the breeder? Do you live nearby? Maybe you could take the pup back to interact with the rest of the litter.

Is there any puppy classes nearby you could take her to? Vets sometimes run these.

Enjoy your pup and don't worry too much - after all people hand rear puppies from birth and they turn out OK.

Remember take lots of photo's while she is young - they grow up so fast!!!

Sue

NickeyG · #5 19-11-2008, 09:51 PM

I live in the US. ckc stands for continental kennel club.

Ive been feeding her royal canin baby dog 3 times a day and shes eating well.

I don't think ill be going back to see the person i got her from he lives pretty far away, and gas is expensive.

GSDOWNER · #6 19-11-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickeyG

my puppy is 7 wks now, when the breeder gave her to me she was five weeks he said it was ok because she was eating solid food.
I did my research and everything is going pretty well but i didn't know they were suppose to stay with mommy until 7 weeks.

Do you think she will have problems from this later on? the vet said she was going to be a hefty girl so i worry a little.

My dog was six week old when he came home to us, again I made the same mistake as you did, I did not know he was to young to be parted from his mum

...........however, my dog is the most layed back dog ever he has never shown any aggressive behavior towards anything or anything, he does howl at fire engines,

again this goes down to my personnel experience and my opinion, I think its how your raise the dog is how it will turn out,

Wooferhound · #7 20-11-2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickeyG

I live in the US. ckc stands for continental kennel club.

Ive been feeding her royal canin baby dog 3 times a day and shes eating well.

I don't think ill be going back to see the person i got her from he lives pretty far away, and gas is expensive.

Continental KC? Can't say I've heard of them before...aren't they usually country specific?! Dunno!

Personally, i wouldn't be going back to this so called breeder anyhoo, I know it was mentioned that you might be able to take pup back to socialise, but what's the likelyhood there will be any pups left anyway?

I would still be inclinced to make myself aware of the guidelines set out by the CKC, if your pup is registered with them, if there are any rulings that this breeder has broken, then report them, stop them from continuing to breed in this fashion!

I'm sure your pup will be fine.

Jo