Is it better to get a puppy at 8 weeks or 12 weeks?

One experienced dog trainer and expert on dog development suggested that the optimum age for a puppy to go to its new owner is about 8-to-9-weeks, when the pup is ready to develop a strong bond.
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Is 12 weeks too old to buy a puppy?

11 to 12 Weeks is Fine for Some Breeds

A few more weeks with their mother and littermates, as well as the people they know in their family, is often best for them. Larger puppies, however, shouldn't wait this long to go to their new homes. Nine to ten weeks of age is fine but any older could be problematic.
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Is 8 weeks too early to take a puppy home?

Puppies should not leave their mom and littermates before eight weeks of age. The mother dog has so much to teach the new puppy; lessons that will affect him all his life, and his littermates teach important lessons as well. If the mother dog has passed away, the littermates need to remain together.
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Why should puppies over 12 weeks be avoided?

“Puppies that have not had exposure to new places, people, animals or handling before 12 weeks may be very fearful, withdrawn and sometimes aggressive,” says Barlow. “Those that have had good socialization will be outgoing, playful and active.”
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Is it OK to pick up a puppy at 10 weeks?

While pups are old enough to leave their mothers and siblings by 8 weeks, many breeders and rescues prefer to wait until a pup is 10 weeks old before sending him to live with a new human family. A 10-week-old puppy has more time to develop canine social skills with his birth family.
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Best Age To Take Puppy Home - Is That 6, 8 or 12 Weeks?



Is it illegal to sell puppies before 8 weeks?

Breeders can only sell puppies they have bred themselves, and only from the place the puppy was bred and reared. Puppies must be 8 weeks old before they can be sold or leave their mum.
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Is it OK to collect a puppy at 9 weeks?

9 weeks is absolutely fine to come on to a new home - you will have no problems with 9 wks vs 7 weeks, and remember the pup will still be socialising with other pups and mum (at least) in that time too so learning some important lessons in that time.
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What is the best age to get a puppy?

Under current restrictions, the best age to get a puppy is exactly 8 weeks old. Seven weeks is probably better as long as the puppy is fully weaned and can act independently. However, this won't be possible very often. The most important message is to understand the special needs of older puppies.
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Is 4 months too old to get a puppy?

The best time to adopt a puppy is usually between 8 and 16 weeks. This is an ideal time to introduce him to new places and people. That is, unless you have small children. Then you may want to wait until the pooch is around 5 months old.
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What is the best age to adopt a puppy?

In general, however, the best age to adopt a puppy is eight to ten weeks. This will give your puppy plenty of time to work through the developmental stages that take place while the puppy is still with its mother. It also allows you to make sure you're complying with any laws that might pertain to your area.
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What happens if you get a puppy too early?

According to Sue St Gelais, puppies removed from the litter too early are prone to be nervous with a tendency to bark and bite. They are also less likely to accept discipline and may also be aggressive to other dogs.
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Is it OK to get a puppy at 7 weeks?

Simply put, it's not safe for a puppy to leave his or her mother and littermates before 8 weeks. If you want a healthy puppy, then please you must wait.
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Can puppies go outside at 8 weeks?

Most puppies go to their forever homes between 8-10 weeks. This is also the crucial period of puppy socialization. If you receive your puppy at 8 weeks, you can safely take him outside, but with precautions. You should take your puppy outside to use the bathroom and start activities in the home.
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Should you buy a 3 month old puppy?

The best time to adopt a puppy is usually between 8 and 16 weeks. This is an ideal time to introduce him to new places and people. That is, unless you have small children. Then you may want to wait until the pooch is around 5 months old.
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Is it okay to adopt a 3 month old puppy?

Puppies are typically placed in homes between 8 to 12 weeks of age. If you're adopting or purchasing a young puppy, there's a good chance the puppy is nearing 12 weeks of age (three months old).
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Is 3 months too old to train a puppy?

By 3 months old your puppy is ready to start learning basic commands, the training foundations you instill now are going to carry on throughout your puppy's life.
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Can I still potty train a 4 month old puppy?

It typically takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully house trained, but some puppies may take up to a year. Size can be a predictor. For instance, smaller breeds have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms and require more frequent trips outside. Your puppy's previous living conditions are another predictor.
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At what age is it too late to train a puppy?

The older your dog is when your life changes, the more you might wonder: Is it ever too late to start training a dog? But don't worry – it's not. You can start training any time, with any dog – whether this is when you bring your puppy home at 8 weeks old or when your dog is already 12 years and needs a new skill.
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Is 5 months too late to train a puppy?

Not at all! It's never too early or too late to begin building positive associations and using reward-based methods to teach your puppy new skills and behaviors.
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At what age do puppies bond with their owners?

One experienced dog trainer and expert on dog development suggested that the optimum age for a puppy to go to its new owner is about 8-to-9-weeks, when the pup is ready to develop a strong bond.
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How do you pick a puppy from a litter at 8 weeks?

After assessing the litter as a whole, focus on a single pup. Separate him from his siblings and give him a closer look. Pay attention to these areas.
...
Pay attention to these areas.
  1. Eyes. Eyes should be clear with no redness or drainage. ...
  2. Ears. Ears should not have an odor or discharge. ...
  3. Nose. ...
  4. Head. ...
  5. Mouth. ...
  6. Body Wall. ...
  7. Skin.
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How do you pick up a puppy?

The safest way to pick up a puppy or kitten, Downing says, is the one most comfortable for them. “Slip one hand between the front legs from the front of the body, and slip the other hand between the rear legs from behind,” she recommends. “Then lift them as a unit with their spine relatively straight.”
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What should I expect from my 8 week old puppy?

  • An 8- to 12-week-old puppy will still be quite small, even if the puppy is a large dog breed. ...
  • The time from 3 weeks to 12 weeks is a critical socialization period. ...
  • Between 6 and 8 weeks of age, your puppy will need to visit the veterinarian for its first puppy vaccines, deworming, and an examination.
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Do puppies get sad when separated from siblings?

It is difficult to determine if a puppy feels sad when separated from their siblings, but what we do know is that separation initially causes stress and anxiety. During this adjustment period, puppies will whine, cry, howl, and refuse to settle as they come to terms with this huge change in their life.
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How long should I leave a puppy to cry at night?

Puppy crying at night how long does it last? If your puppy has spent the first week or so sleeping next to you, and has now been moved into their permanent night time quarters, you should find that any puppy crying at bedtime will be brief. We're talking ten or fifteen minutes, for maybe a couple of nights.
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