When should I get a puppy?

As for when it's best for the puppy, most veterinarians and breeders agree that 7 to 8 weeks of age is ideal. According to veterinarian and behaviorist Dr. Sally Foote, puppies are in their socialization period during this time.
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What is the right age to get a puppy?

So what is the ideal age for a puppy to be when you welcome him into your home? There are different opinions, as well as a variety of factors, that influence the answer to this question. However, most veterinarians and breeders would put the optimum age to bring home a puppy somewhere between 8-to-10 weeks old.
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Is getting a puppy at 12 weeks too late?

12 weeks is not too old to get a puppy, as best time to bring home a puppy is when it is between 8 to 12 weeks old. At this point they are weaned from their mother, have independence, and can be trained and socialized properly.
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Is 10 weeks too old to get a puppy?

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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Can a puppy leave its mother at 6 weeks old?

Puppies can leave their mothers at 6 weeks old since they no longer depend on milk, but this doesn't mean that they should. There are a lot of risks involved with early separation.
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10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting a Puppy



Is 7 weeks too early to get a puppy?

Simply put, it's not safe for a puppy to leave his or her mother and littermates before 8 weeks.
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Why should you wait 8 weeks for a puppy?

At eight weeks of age most puppies are able to eat well, no longer need to nurse or eat supplemental formula, are mobile, and are aware of their world. They are well socialized to the people in their household and hopefully have also met other animals in the home.
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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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Can I leave my 8 week old puppy home alone?

Puppies between 8-10 weeks.

You cannot leave them on their own for extended periods of time, especially since at this age they're likely being introduced to your home for the first time. At this age, your fur baby needs lots of companionship and socialization and will get very distressed when left for periods of time.
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Can puppies go outside at 8 weeks?

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. The AVMA states that activities should be limited to areas that are not used by unvaccinated animals.
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Should you ignore puppy crying night?

Ignoring them at night won't help them build confidence and may make them worse which isn't what anyone wants. They need to be taught how to be independent slowly. We would never recommend ignoring your puppy when they cry at night, especially in their first few nights.
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Should I adopt a 3 month old puppy?

You should never adopt a puppy—unless it is without a mother and litter—before they fully wean and begin to eat only solid food. This age will vary based on a few factors, but it is generally between 3 to 5 weeks.
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Is it OK to buy a 3 month old puppy?

Be prepared to care for your puppy during this crucial development stage. 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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What should an 8 week old puppy be doing?

At 8 weeks of age, your puppy is ready to leave its mother and littermates, and join your family. Your focus should be on your puppy's basic needs of eating, drinking, sleeping, playing, and eliminating.
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Can I leave my puppy alone at night?

Note: Whatever you decide, remember that being alone at night can be scary for a puppy, especially if they've never been separated from their mum and littermates before. It's normal for a puppy to need time and training to feel comfortable sleeping on their own through the night.
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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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Should I carry my puppy out to pee?

A puppy should be taken out immediately after each meal since a full stomach puts pressure on the colon and bladder. After about 8, 9, 10 weeks of age, or when the puppy arrives at it's new home, the dog should be taught to go potty outside.
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Can I get a puppy if I work?

While it is definitely more of a challenge to raise a new dog or puppy while you're working full time, it isn't impossible. Puppies have a lot of needs, so you need to be able to make adjusts to your lifestyle and routine to successfully raise the new dog.
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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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Can a 10 week old puppy sleep through the night?

When Do Puppies Start Sleeping Through the Night? Most puppies will sleep through the night by the time they're about 4 months (16 weeks) old. But with some help, diligence, and proactive training, you may be able to get your puppy there even earlier!
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How do you pick a puppy from a litter at 8 weeks?

In order to select a healthy puppy, it is important to do your research:
  1. Talk to the owner. Ask about appetite and eliminations. ...
  2. Observe the litter mates in action. Do they all play together or is there a quiet one that retreats to a corner? ...
  3. Survey their overall appearance. ...
  4. Watch them move. ...
  5. Eyes. ...
  6. Ears. ...
  7. Nose. ...
  8. Head.
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Is 6 weeks too early to get a puppy?

Vets and animal lovers do not recommend that you let puppies leave the mother at 6 weeks. This is too early to take a puppy home. But that doesn't mean a puppy won't survive leaving their mother this early, they will. At 6 weeks of age, a puppy is physically independent of its mother and will survive being rehomed.
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Where should a puppy sleep the first night?

It's best to keep your dog in a crate in your bedroom for the first few nights. This helps establish important boundaries while also letting your puppy know that you are nearby should they need you. Bringing a puppy home is so much fun but also so much responsibility.
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Where should an 8 week old puppy sleep?

Your puppy's sleeping quarters should be in a small crate.
  • Your puppy's sleeping quarters should be in a small crate. ...
  • Keep the crate in a draft-free area next to your bed. ...
  • Under no circumstances take the puppy to bed with you. ...
  • Give the puppy a stuffed dog toy to snuggle with.
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