bringing new puppy home

Ladyg · Post by **Ladyg** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:42 pm

I am getting a new snorkie (miniature schaughzer/yorkie mix) I want to know what I should expect and what I will need to bring the puppy home he is 6 weeks old. How long does it take to house train a new puppy. How long should I wait before I start to train him on simple commands. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheetah · Post by **Cheetah** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:19 am

Don't bring him home until he is at least 8 weeks old. At 6 weeks, he is just getting weaned, and still needs his mother and litter for socialization.

The amount of time it takes to potty train depends on the individual dog. Some take a couple weeks and some take months. Smaller breeds have smaller bladders which have to be emptied more often, so they can be more difficult to potty train.

You can begin training basic commands the day you bring your pup home.

Mollysmom · Post by **Mollysmom** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:51 am

yes, I worry about the breeder if they're even willing to let the pup go at 6wks.

dave112 · Post by **dave112** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:37 am

you see my breeder to be lets dobe puppies go at 7 weeks. breeder said this was ideal time for them. Asked around as was concerned and quite a few people said this is actually ok for a dobermann. Most breeds 8-12 weeks tho... Think they said toy breeds should be longer

Nettle · Post by **Nettle** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:44 am

7 week for some breeds and very forward litters (BARF fed tend to be well advanced for their age) is a good time IF the new owner can be home with the pup and either has previous experience or experienced help. It is a good changeover time as the pup is still within a 'bold' period but this does vary. Good breeders know when their pups are ready to go.

6 weeks is only for very experienced people as puppy needs are much more at 6 weeks than seven. I'll take a pup at 6 weeks but I would never recommend anyone else to do that.

In UK it's illegal for pups to go to a private home before 8 weeks, but they can go to a pet shop or dealer at five weeks!! Go figure.

dave112 · Post by **dave112** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:52 am

u say its illeagle to go b4 8 weeks in UK. is that 100% correct 'not being funny at all' if thats tru why is is a reputable breeder saying 7 weeks is the right time to re home?? They said about fear stage also. I bit concerned now.

Nettle · Post by **Nettle** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:45 pm

It's my business to know the law in that respect, Dave, but few people keep up with it, and I expect your breeder simply doesn't know.

Take the pup at 7 weeks if you like the breeder, like the pup, and are ready for him/her. Some litters are well ready at 7 weeks, and I expect this is one of them.

If your breeder was a shyster, he/she would simply claim the pups were 8 weeks old, but your has been straight with you, and I would think it is simple ignorance.

After all, how many people in UK know that it is an offence for your dog to chase a mouse or a squirrel?

emmabeth · Post by **emmabeth** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:05 pm

Dont worry Dave... 7 weeks for a bold healthy boisterous pup is fine, ive had pups at six weeks as well, and for some pups thats also fine.

In this matter as Nettle points out, the law is an ***, and its also not policed anyway.... going into a home at 6 or 7 weeks is commonly the BEST thing for that puppy...

But thats not allowed... they say.

Going into a PETSHOP at 5 weeks is the absolute worst thing for a puppy.... but that IS allowed..

Your breeder sounds fine, and they are correct, at aroun d8 weeks puppies enter a fear stage whereas, at 7 weeks they are still confident and happy with all they meet.

dave112 · Post by **dave112** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 3:59 am

Thanks guys.
The breeder I am getting him from has been breeding dobes for 30 years so I do trust them.
All points taken on board tho

emmabeth · Post by **emmabeth** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:31 am

Somehow i missed the original post...

Where are you getting your yorkie/schnauzer cross from?

If this is from a reputable breeder who only breeds one or two litters a year from parents who have had all the relevant health tests, and so has the time to raise them in the house with allll the normal household stuff a dog will hear, start housetraining and recall training, socialise them with people and other dogs and strange sights and sounds....

Then 6 weeks is probably too young.

If this is a puppy farm or puppy mill or pet store, where the puppy will have spent time closed away with mom and litter mates in a small pen, seeing very little of teh world.... then 6 weeks is probably better for the puppy...

But better for ALL dogs if you dont buy a puppy from there AT ALL.

Any puppy takes months to fully housetrain (and yeah there will be some wiseguy who has trained theirs in a week or less... theres always one person whose kid was talkign and walking the day it was born too... ignore htem!).. and you can NEVER start too early... start the day you get home, outside for toilets, inside not - recall training too - started at this age when they want to follow you, the training becomes 'hard wired' so easily!

Ladyg · Post by **Ladyg** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:16 am

thanks everyone brought Bentlee home so far so good home training is going well because I am keeping an eagle eye on him. The breeder was a friend who just happened to have 6 puppies instead of 2 like her vet said so she just gave the puppies away to friends and family. Bentlee is 7 weeks what type of treat do you give him for doing well and he has been de-wormed and first set of shots.