How young is too young to take away from mom?

doxiemom11 wrote:
recently saw an ad in our area on craigslist for someone selling a puppy (against their rules) that was only 3 wks old and supposedly on dry food already. Way to early. There is no interest in the puppies well-being - just out to make money.

AMEN! Horrific!
.

recently saw an ad in our area on craigslist for someone selling a puppy (against their rules) that was only 3 wks old and supposedly on dry food already. Way to early. There is no interest in the puppies well-being - just out to make money.

I can't chat very much about this or I'll go nuts and be all inappropriate saying and writing inflammatory things!!

People who are breeding and selling very young PUPS out of their car?? Arugh!!!!!!!

In the past I've intercepted puppies @ 5 weeks for our clinic rescue (death of a mom, or abandonment), and they take a tremendous amount of TLC, and proper feeding. Not to mentioned the massive amount of social interaction and necessary development that happens during that period of life is cut short.

I'm so torn on this topic because IF IF IF responsible knowledgeable dog folks nab these pups they're probably much better off then staying with the irresponsible DOLTS who are pedaling them. With proper care and socialization there's always hope to end up with a good, solid dog. Sadly, as heart breaking as this situation IS most dog owners would be better of not taking on one of these puppies.

My father never let a pup go before 8 weeks.
.
.

dturm wrote:
We see a big difference in personality and behavior in puppies removed earlier rather than later. There is an amazing amount of training that a mother and siblings do between birth and 12-16 weeks. They learn how to be dogs... that biting hurts and isn't permitted and many other dog behaviors sometimes even housetraining.

Six weeks is about the earliest for health issues, later for the best psychological/behavior development. The general "rule" has been 8 weeks.

Thank you Dr. Doug. There are also certain breeds that greatly benefit from being with the mom and litter mates even longer. Most reputable breeders of those breeds (some of them smaller breeds) keep them 10 to 12 weeks.

I would have called in on anyone I saw selling puppies that young, especially in a public place. It's obvious the breeder has no regard for the welfare of the puppies, selling too young and to anyone with cash. Despicable!

Table of State Puppy Age Sales Laws

If the above table is correct (and I think it probably is), then it's illegal to sell puppies in Maine "until completion of 7th week of life."

We see a big difference in personality and behavior in puppies removed earlier rather than later. There is an amazing amount of training that a mother and siblings do between birth and 12-16 weeks. They learn how to be dogs... that biting hurts and isn't permitted and many other dog behaviors sometimes even housetraining.

Six weeks is about the earliest for health issues, later for the best psychological/behavior development. The general "rule" has been 8 weeks.

8 weeks. BTW: I would have to wonder if these puppies, from a car had been properly vetted. They could have spread pathogens/parasites to my dogs.

They never took them out of the car and we certainly didn't ask to see them, although the allure of any puppy can be very strong. I don't want to insult anyone from the south, but they were from Georgia I believe. My experience with shelter dogs, although limited, is that the south tends to look at dogs as tools rather than animals. I've long been involved in the politics of hunting and have been told by owners from the south that if the dogs are lost, they just replace them. Many of the dogs that wind up in shelters up here are southern "bred", which also led me to be, well, a little frustrated with the whole thing. Hopefully they are healthy little critters that will wind up in good homes.

WyoTraveler wrote:
Yup, 8 to 12 weeks is time to sell, not 6 weeks. Law? Doubt if there is any law that actually works for this. May be on the books but doubt if it works or if any one really cares that made the law.

I can only speak for Florida, don't doubt it there. It is law, and most people selling puppies privately get a visit by animal control for educational purposes.

The larger counties have animal control officers (investigators) that specialize in these things along with cruelty, pet shop inspections, etc.

8 weeks. BTW: I would have to wonder if these puppies, from a car had been properly vetted. They could have spread pathogens/parasites to my dogs.

Yup, 8 to 12 weeks is time to sell, not 6 weeks. Law? Doubt if there is any law that actually works for this. May be on the books but doubt if it works or if any one really cares that made the law.