![]() Her puppies go to their working or sport homes at 12 weeks of age. Find out how the breeder plans to handle your puppy in terms of weaning, socialization, and timing for sending the pup home with you.īreeder of working Shetland Sheepdogs Claire Apple prefers to keep her puppies in her home during the socialization period. Breeder’s Puppy Careīefore buying a dog, it’s important to make sure you are comfortable with the breeder‘s decisions about your puppy. On the other hand, puppies that stay with their littermates for too long may start to develop dominant or submissive behaviors that can also lead to problems. Research has shown that puppies removed from their litters very early are more likely to display problems in behavior and temperament when they’re grown, including being fearful, aggressive, or anxious guarding their food and toys and being highly reactive and more difficult to train. They also learn rudimentary impulse control and bite inhibition from the feedback of their siblings and mother. Through their mother and littermates, puppies begin to learn appropriate play behaviors and how to communicate with and relate to other dogs. Puppies also have what some animal behaviorists call a primary socialization period, which begins as they become more aware of the world around them at 3-to-5 weeks of age. It’s also the time when the puppy will form a strong bond with the humans taking care of him. Socialization of a puppy during this period has a huge effect on the behaviors, confidence, and attachments the dog will have throughout his lifetime. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior says this is when puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli, and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing over stimulation. Sally Foote, the socialization period in puppies typically lasts from between 6 and 12-to-14 weeks of age.ĭuring this time, puppies are learning the norms of the world around them, and they develop attitudes and behaviors they’ll keep as adult dogs. According to veterinarian and behaviorist Dr. Socialization PeriodĪ primary factor in choosing when to send a puppy to a new home is the socialization period. ![]() However, most veterinarians and breeders would put the optimum age to bring home a puppy somewhere between 8-to-10 weeks old. 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. Bringing home a puppy who is too young can affect the behaviors your dog will have for the rest of his life – and not necessarily in a good way. You don’t want to miss one minute of your new baby’s puppyhood.īut wait. You’re getting a puppy, and you can’t wait to bring home that adorable bundle of fur.
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