Puppy

[oconnorjoy]

I am going to look at a Pom puppy this afternoon. He is 4 weeks now and they are letting them go at 6 weeks. I think this is pretty young...does anyone have any views on this? I am going to an open house for a new vet clinic before I go to see the puppy so I will ask the vet some questions. I guess I'm a bit nervous since losing my last puppy at four months. Her breeder kept her until she was 12 weeks.

[Mary Plummer]

...I've never actually had a puppy, so I'm not sure. Seems like I remember reading that the time is important for what pups learn from their mother and siblings.

[mjollnir]

6 weeks is definitely too early to separate this puppy from its mother. Puppies should not be weaned from their mothers until about 8 weeks old. I know here in FL it is illegal to sell a puppy or kitten that is not at least 8 weeks of age.

[E's]

I bought my GSD from a private breeder who only let his dogs have one litter... busy man, soon found pups are lots of trouble.. talked me into taking E when she was only 6 weeks old.... wanted me to take her at 5 weeks! Thank doG I wasn't THAT stupid! (We DID have an understanding my pup would be able to play with her litter mates, but that did not work out.) So, to be brief about it, what I have now, nearly 7 years later, is a 100 + lb puppy! and this is NOT funny... it has been close to tragic in so many ways. For example, she cannot be trained out of certain behavior like barking and growling at other dogs when she really means to be friendly, because she does not speak "dog language"... In obedience classes all she wanted to do was play - this is not a stupid dog; she learned the basic rules quickly but could not seem to apply them in a mature way... This subject makes me so sad: I will just add this and then quit... If I were you, I would seriously question the ethics of any breeder who urges people to take puppies too soon... IMO this means the breeder either does not know as much as s/he should about dogs, or doesn't care... or both... and thus might very well be concealing other things the buyer should know. My advice if you really want this pup: have it checked completely by a vet of YOUR choice, then visit for 2 more weeks. Poms are long lived dogs... it is worthwhile to start off right.

"If it puts its mind to it, a dog can be as much trouble as a set and a half of triplets." Beauregard Hounddog in Walt Kelly's POGO comic strip

[oconnorjoy]

I went to the new clinic's open house and discussed this with their vet and vet tech...they suggested that I have them wait till 8 weeks to let the puppy go. I went to see the puppy and decided to take him...I'll wait till he is 8 weeks...the vet said they needed to be with their mom and litter mates till then for socialization...I also asked her questions about Susie (my cat)...I will be bringing Susie in to see her for an evaluation next Saturday. I was happy with her responses to my questions about treating elderly pets and her confidence level when questioned about treating small pets. I was really impressed with her vet assistant...she was very knowledgeable. She has me considering a raw diet for my puppy. I still have to read more about it before I make up my mind.

[k9Karen]

The proponents of raw diets claim that nutrients are lost in cooking. That's true, but only to a very small extent. They also claim that enzymes in the food are lost in cooking. True the heat from cooking denatures enzymes, but so does the hydrochloric acid found in the stomach that begins the digestive process, so the enzymes are lost one way or the other. In addition to that, dogs don't need and can't use cow, chicken, beef, lamb or plant enzymes - they need dog enzymes which their body will make by destroying the enzymes that are in the food they eat and using their chemical components!

There is also a significant danger from raw meats. They are full of bacteria, some of which is pretty nasty and can make your dog sick. Salmonella and Campylobacter are almost always in purchased chicken and other poultry, and Salmonella is often in raw eggs and other meats as well. These can cause some serious diarrheal infections which, if on the off-chance they don't make your dog sick, could cause him to become a carrier and thereby make your family sick. Dogs also cannot digest raw egg albumin (the white of the egg). Bones are another story - not a good idea to feed bones at all.

There are many high-quality premium dog foods that can give your dog the right nutrition. Look for one that is naturally preserved and contains a meat as the main ingredient (the main ingredients should not be a grain like corn or wheat, or a combination of grains). Also look for one with no meat by-products; the meat should be listed, for example, as chicken or chicken meal, not chicken by-products, or worse, as meat by-products. They will contain some grain, and rice is usually very digestable for most dogs, whereas corn, wheat and soy sometimes cause problems or allergy development. If you are totally opposed to using commercial dog food, you can get the same nutrition found in raw diets by preparing the food yourself, but cooking it. By cooking it, you destroy the bacteria, etc. that can be harmful without significantly reducing the nutritional value. Do your homework so you can be sure that you are feeding a completely balanced diet

[JMM]

Toy breed puppies should stay with the breeder until 12 weeks of age!!! Toy breeds are very fragile due to their size and can get into major trouble very quickly. I would find a different breeder![/b]

[Guest]

I discussed this with the vet tech yesterday and came to the conclusion that someone is going to take that pup at six weeks. Better someone who is familiar with the breed and it's risks, is prepared to have pet insurance in place, and has the resources of a good vet clinic that is willing to support the puppy.

[oconnorjoy]

I do agree with you that 12 weeks is the best time for these pups to leave their mom's. I have a puppy comming in September from one of the best breeders around. I know I will get a healthy, well socialized puppy from her...but this one deservers a chance as well.