GretchSS Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 My partner and I arranged to buy a puppy (deposit paid). We were of the understanding that we would be taking him home at 8 weeks of age. Then the owners changed their mind and arranged with all the other buyers for puppies to be picked up at 6 weeks. We objected as we've read so much about it being a critical time for the puppy to learn social skills which we hoped he'd learn from his mother and other puppies. The owners then agreed to keep him until 8 weeks of age, but have again changed their mind and told us to pick him up this weekend at 6 weeks of age. They say he is fully weaned and the vet says it's okay (completely missing/ignoring our point about socialisation). They've advised they can't keep him any longer as they're going away. I'm annoyed and frustrated but feel it is in the puppy's best interest that we pick him up this weekend (and the puppy's best interest is my focus now) as I don't know that he'd be properly cared for if we now backed out of the purchase (and obviously, we are already attached to the idea of bringing this puppy home even if dates have now changed). So, what I'm after now is advice on what I can do for this puppy to help compensate for being separated from his mother and litter early. I already know no puppy preschool in my area will take him before 8 weeks of age. I know some people with older dogs that are fully vaccinated and well cared for and am hoping my puppy can spend time with them. Can anyone advise when and how to do these introductions, and how much time he needs to spend with other dogs? I'm thinking maybe I should give him a few days or a week to adjust to a new home environment before putting him in the car and taking him to visit another dog in a different home environment. I would appreciate any thoughts on this, and especially advice from anyone else who's had a puppy come home younger than you would have liked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 Have you only paid the deposit? I am more than a little concerned. It sounds like the breeders did not appropriately plan for the litter to be in a situation where they are going on a holiday when the puppies are 6 weeks old. They have not planned for the puppy's critical mental health development. It makes me wonder what else they didn't plan for or do their due diligence with... I know you have put down a deposit but do consider that having a mentally and physically unwell dog is VERY expensive and also very emotionally draining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GretchSS Posted November 13, 2016 Author Share Posted November 13, 2016 Have you only paid the deposit? I am more than a little concerned. It sounds like the breeders did not appropriately plan for the litter to be in a situation where they are going on a holiday when the puppies are 6 weeks old. They have not planned for the puppy's critical mental health development. It makes me wonder what else they didn't plan for or do their due diligence with... I know you have put down a deposit but do consider that having a mentally and physically unwell dog is VERY expensive and also very emotionally draining. If we don't take him home what happens to him? He ends up getting dumped by the side of the road? He ends up in a kennel when he's too young to cope with all the diseases he'll be exposed to? I feel like he's relying on us to not end up in a worse situation. Unfortunately, their vet has told them the puppies can be weaned and given away by 6 weeks and they won't hear of any different advice from anyone else. Prior to this issue coming up over the age for him to go home things seemed pretty good. The parent dogs seem to both have excellent temperaments and appear in good health. The puppies and adults dogs were being kept inside a family home and having interaction with the family including kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Personally i would ditch this person,they are not a breeder just a person who had a litter & doesn't care. What happens is not your problem ,they have obviously decided the pups have hit the age that they require work & just want to offload them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal House Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Personally i would ditch this person,they are not a breeder just a person who had a litter & doesn't care. What happens is not your problem ,they have obviously decided the pups have hit the age that they require work & just want to offload them Agreed, because you're getting a pup that is missing out on important socialization and that can affect the next 12 years of the dogs life, which can be both expensive and emotionally draining if any problems occur because of this.....and the fact that they don't give a toss about it and are doing it to suit themselves says a lot about them as people, I would not believe that the vet said it was okay to let the pups go at 6 weeks either, I think they are just saying it because it suits them to get rid of the puppies now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 (edited) My partner and I arranged to buy a puppy (deposit paid). We were of the understanding that we would be taking him home at 8 weeks of age. Then the owners changed their mind and arranged with all the other buyers for puppies to be picked up at 6 weeks. We objected as we've read so much about it being a critical time for the puppy to learn social skills which we hoped he'd learn from his mother and other puppies. The owners then agreed to keep him until 8 weeks of age, but have again changed their mind and told us to pick him up this weekend at 6 weeks of age. They say he is fully weaned and the vet says it's okay (completely missing/ignoring our point about socialisation). They've advised they can't keep him any longer as they're going away. I'm annoyed and frustrated but feel it is in the puppy's best interest that we pick him up this weekend (and the puppy's best interest is my focus now) as I don't know that he'd be properly cared for if we now backed out of the purchase (and obviously, we are already attached to the idea of bringing this puppy home even if dates have now changed). So, what I'm after now is advice on what I can do for this puppy to help compensate for being separated from his mother and litter early. I already know no puppy preschool in my area will take him before 8 weeks of age. I know some people with older dogs that are fully vaccinated and well cared for and am hoping my puppy can spend time with them. Can anyone advise when and how to do these introductions, and how much time he needs to spend with other dogs? I'm thinking maybe I should give him a few days or a week to adjust to a new home environment before putting him in the car and taking him to visit another dog in a different home environment. I would appreciate any thoughts on this, and especially advice from anyone else who's had a puppy come home younger than you would have liked. Ok ...it isn't often at all a 6 week pup gets rehomed amongst purebred dog breeders , as they are bound by laws for minimum age of rehoming etc .. I think it is a legal requirement in QLD ( if you are from there) for all pups to be microchipped at 8 weeks BEFORE sale . So - check that . Also check if all health test records are available for the pup's ancestors, and dam/sire. is this a pedigree puppy ? Xbred puppy ? You are thinking with your heart .. which is not a really bad thing ..EXCEPT when it comes to cute & fluffy things ;) I wouldn't do it .... I have copied this for you ... from the STARKEHRE ROTTWEILER home page . It is general information , and important. . Here is the thing… all dog owners, pet or otherwise deserve to own a happy, healthy Pedigree dog if they wish to. Did you know that it is common for the majority of Pedigreed Rottweiler puppies to go into pet homes? Even puppies that are bred by highly successful show breeders often have a surplus of puppies that they look to place in pet homes. And if you are attracted to everything that the Rottweiler is and stands for, you deserve to be furnished with a puppy that is what you believe it is. The only way to know for sure that your puppy is pure bred is by its ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council) Certified Pedigree. If your puppy does not have this Certified Pedigree, then your puppy is not a Pedigree Rottweiler. And although it may not seem relevant or important to you, it should be. Those ancestors inked into that precious piece of paper actually tell you a lot about your puppy. You can research your puppy's ancestors and find out a lot about its background in temperament and health and so on. This Certified Pedigreed (also known as registration papers, owners certificate, papers – though it is only one piece of paper) is also your proof of ownership of this dog once you or your breeder transfers the dog into your name. Do not be fooled by back yard breeders who use such terms as papers, certificates and health checks. These breeders have been known to hide behind such terms and are often only supplying local council registration, PIAA registration, vaccination certificates and other documents that are in no way related to ANKC pedigree or registration papers and breed specific health testing. Another reason to purchase your new puppy from an ANKC registered breeder is because breeder members must abide by certain rules governing the keeping of their dogs, their breeding practices and selling of puppies. All ANKC registered breeders must provide a Certified Pedigree for the puppies they sell. If breeder mentions discounts for puppies without "papers" they are operating outside of the code of practice and should be reported. Another of the regulations that ANKC breeders are bound by are the minimum breeding age of your potential puppy's parents. Those parents (sire and dam) must be hip and elbow x rayed before breeding and the results must be sighted by the state kennel council and recorded. and a couple of very worthwhile links! PUPPY DEVELOPMENT from K9pro. SOCIALISATION from K9pro. Edited November 14, 2016 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 if you do take the puppy, please get it vet checked asap. He/she will need 4 or 5 meals a day.It will most likely need to be wormed as it sounds like the "breeders" are not exactly ethical. I would not vaccinate at the same time as worming. Once the pup has settled in, get your friends to bring their dogs to your place rather then you take the puppy to them. Don't dispare. I got a pup at 4 weeks old ( due to bad circumstances ) and she turned out fine. What you will need to work on is bite inhibition. Take your pup out for car rides, park in a busy place and let them see life from the safety of your car/lap. Read, read and read some more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 (edited) . Edited November 14, 2016 by Papillon Kisses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 If you want to rescue a puppy or a dog go to your local shelter or rescue. It is your choice whether to support and perpetuate unethical breeding practices by giving these people more of your money. This isn't a rescue situation. It's like people saying they 'rescued' the animal they bought from a pet shop. My dog, a legitimate rescue, was likely born of similar circumstances. He has a number of serious illnesses, both physical and mental, and I would put money on him having poor early socialisation. I love him to bits, but the idea of paying money to people responsible for his suffering is sickening. Truly sickening. good post . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Ugh. I just deleted it as I was worried about coming across as rude. I don't mean to be rude it's just how I see it and I don't know what else to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Ugh. I just deleted it as I was worried about coming across as rude. I don't mean to be rude it's just how I see it and I don't know what else to say. blunt p'raps.. ? ....anyhow .. I am thinking along the same lines . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonwoman Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 My partner and I arranged to buy a puppy (deposit paid). We were of the understanding that we would be taking him home at 8 weeks of age. Then the owners changed their mind and arranged with all the other buyers for puppies to be picked up at 6 weeks. We objected as we've read so much about it being a critical time for the puppy to learn social skills which we hoped he'd learn from his mother and other puppies. The owners then agreed to keep him until 8 weeks of age, but have again changed their mind and told us to pick him up this weekend at 6 weeks of age. They say he is fully weaned and the vet says it's okay (completely missing/ignoring our point about socialisation). They've advised they can't keep him any longer as they're going away. I'm annoyed and frustrated but feel it is in the puppy's best interest that we pick him up this weekend (and the puppy's best interest is my focus now) as I don't know that he'd be properly cared for if we now backed out of the purchase (and obviously, we are already attached to the idea of bringing this puppy home even if dates have now changed). So, what I'm after now is advice on what I can do for this puppy to help compensate for being separated from his mother and litter early. I already know no puppy preschool in my area will take him before 8 weeks of age. I know some people with older dogs that are fully vaccinated and well cared for and am hoping my puppy can spend time with them. Can anyone advise when and how to do these introductions, and how much time he needs to spend with other dogs? I'm thinking maybe I should give him a few days or a week to adjust to a new home environment before putting him in the car and taking him to visit another dog in a different home environment. I would appreciate any thoughts on this, and especially advice from anyone else who's had a puppy come home younger than you would have liked. Is this not against the law? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 (edited) Is your puppy from an ANKC registered breeder? Edited November 14, 2016 by Ellie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 To be honest, I would not agree to take the pup but instead I would point out to the breeders that sending pups to new homes before eight weeks is AGAINST THE LAW. It is their responsibility to keep the pups in the nest until 8 weeks of age and they are liable to be prosecuted if they don't. If they continue to insist that their holiday is more important than the well-being of this litter, then I would report them - to the State Govt dept responsible for the laws. to the RSPCA and to the ranger in the council area they live in. You might end up being a hero to the whole litter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 I would be asking for the deposit back as they have changed there mind on the deal,given you only posted on the 3 Nov about getting a pup they wouldn't have had your deposit for long . Seriously don't feel guilty for the puppy,you are buying a long term investment & this is not a good start . Sadly people feel guilty about the pup & buy & then they breed another litter & do the same thing . Given there desire to get rid of them asap ,i gather there will be no support regarding puppies issues or long term help about your chosen pup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 I'm really sorry but I agree with what has been said. Baby puppies need to be with their Mum and their litter mates. Taking the pup will only encourage them to do the same thing again. And please please report them. This is NOT what good breeders do. And if you let us know what breeds you are interested in then perhaps we can also help to point you in the right direction. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 (edited) Unfortunately I don't think it's a legal requirement in Qld to sell a pup at six weeks old, I think it is just a code of practice/recommendation Edited November 14, 2016 by Boronia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) Hi, you've received lots of advice and it is up to you what you want to do next. If you decide to adopt, then feel free to PM me. I have fostered puppies that are six weeks. Not ideal and I was very worried at the time but to be honest it wasn't any different from how I would handle an 8 week old puppy and everything worked out fine. You should keep in mind though that for the reasons stated above, you are taking a degree of risk because it sounds like the breeder isn't particularly ethical and so you'll be taking a chance on how the pup will turn out. Same with any dog but it's a much higher risk when it's not from a responsible breeder... Anyway, good luck whatever you decide. Edited November 23, 2016 by koalathebear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperotti Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 In talking to a breeder about their pups recently I asked a trick question - they advised they would not allow their pups to go home with owners until after 8wks so as a test, I asked if we could take the pup home earlier and they were adamant about the 8wk rule. Had they agreed to an early take home I'd have walked away. If the deposit you've left isn't a big one I'd walk away.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florise Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Registered breeders do not and cannot sell their pups prior to 8 weeks of age, so I gather this is a backyard breeder? Have the parents had health tests? If the "breeder" is so keen to get rid of them that early that is a huge red flag. Certainly not raised with the care they should have and who knows what else may be wrong. are they wormed, vaccinated, vet checked? Do they have hereditary diseases? Can you get your money back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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