What age do your pups leave at? - Page 3

 I agree w/RS about the blanket rule. It depends a lot on the dog's genetic temperament, IMO. One of the all-around strongest, most confident, stable dogs I know left mom at 4 weeks...actually one day shy of 4 weeks, and was never socialized. 

7 Weeks to trainers or experienced owners 10 weeks or older to rookies.  That way I have time for basic obedience, crate training and start of housetraining.  I dont ship till they are about 4 months old.   havent bred for years though

Lets say you have 4 pups left in a litter and they have not sold yet, they are now 8 weeks old. Do you allow them to stay together, eat ,sleep etc. Or do you separate them ?

 Separate them for short periods, at least. I wouldn't separate them completely though unless you have enough time to spend w/each one to take the place of the home they should be in. I'd rather have a pup getting too close w/littermates than a pup sitting by itself all day until sold. 

"I think that saying a pup has to remain with their mother and litter mates till 8 weeks is a bunch of hogwash."

That's what all of the puppy mills say, too!

Seperate them at least part of the time.  You don't want them bonded to their litter mates, you want them bonded to people. 

 "You don't want them bonded to their litter mates, you want them bonded to people."


100% - Agreed

 Keith, that's a little extreme; I agree, as a general rule, but there are circumstances where it's not possible or practical and I have seen several who seem to have suffered no ill effects. If someone regularly lets them go at 5-6 weeks, then I agree, it's laziness, greed, etc. But I think RS was saying as a blanket rule, they "must" be w/mom 8 weeks is silly. At least that's how I took it. 

 I read the link you posted, Pirate's Lair.  The first question that came to my mind was in the discussion of the 21st day "switch" being flipped.  I am wondering if this is the same for all pups regardless of date of conception.  If a bitch is bred over the full course of her fertile period, obviously some of the pups will be mature than the others at birth and I'm wondering if that effects the "21 day switch" at all.  

Also, I think that the statement that dogs placed with owners past the critical period don't bond as well is utter hogwash.  Rescue dogs, guide dogs, personal protection dogs. . . all manage to bond very tightly with new owners that obtain them as adults.  

Third I found the falling leaves distracting.  :-D

Yes to what Jenni said.  I'm speaking as a buyer, not seller.   I would rather be spending time bonding with that pup, training that pup,  than have it sit in a kennel, which in alot of cases happens with most larger breeders.  It is amazing how much they can learn before 8 weeks. Puppymills? maybe some of them, but they sure wouldn't admit that.

There are a few good breeders that actually stimulate a pup with human interaction and don't just leave it in a kennel until it is bought. I have no problem with them.

And Keith, do you really think the pups are with mom until 8 weeks?  Ask a few breeders on here when mom weans the pups.