How young is too young to take away from mom?
While we were in Bar Harbor this past week a couple with their young daughter asked if they could pat our Springers. Of course we said yes. During our conversation they said they had four 5-week old...
Forum Discussion
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!
