Well Thanks All for your thoughts on this. I knew I'd get the full range of responses....
vzkennels wrote:We all think we know more then we truely do.JMO once again.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Ted, I couldn't agree more with that, and I do also agree that it would be difficult to ID adult dogs as to when they had been taken from the litter IF they were given a similar upbringing in the new home. I haven't observed a problem in the bonding of six-month olds to their new families either, but surely part of that has to do with how they are raised (part genetics too).
PrairieGoat- Great Pic!
Dudley- Not necessarily. Generally the greatest dog-dog socialization occurs at seven weeks, since beginning at about three weeks and then continueing for several months. Puppies are still learning normal, important pack behavior-type things taught by its littermates and dam at 6 wks.
Some other critical stages- Human acceptance usually starts at five weeks, peaks at 8-9 weeks, and continues for another 5-6 weeks. The fear stage begins around five weeks old, escalates rapidly through weeks 7-8, is at its peak 9 weeks, levelling off in week 10. Of course most of these age estimates were gleaned from one source, although they are similar to others I've found. Some behaviorists break down the development stages a little differently. And some behaviorists and vets say the best age is 7-8 weeks, others say 9-10 weeks, some say 8-12 weeks. And obviously, breeders have their own take on it- even some not letting them go until twelve weeks.
One thing that I think was interesting is that puppies can be +/- a week of development compared to a littermate, regardless of birthdate, because of the biology of canine repro. That's something that one can't really argue about unless their case involves something like implanting embryos of the same age in a bitch. This fact would make the 49 day theory very inapplicable.
Rich, You left out a very important part of my statement:
rockllews wrote:I like to have them a little longer to expose them to new things with some element of familiarity since they're still in their 'fear stage' of development.
Note "element of familiarity."
I doubt you will argue that pups go through a highly impressionable fear stage. Things are imprinted- something negative could likely result in an ongoing negative response. Like you said, a new home IS a new thing. My thinking is merely this: if seven weeks is when the fear is escalating at its highest rate, then it may not be the most prudent (but certainly not unsuccessful or catastrophic or uncommon) to all of a sudden take the pup out of its familiar surroundings, littermates, mother, handler/breeder, everything... and give it new surroundings, no littermate/mother, new handler, new dogs/cats/whatever, new everything. If the breeder is actively going to work with the pups and socialize them, then why not keep them with them during that period and let the puppy experience more of life a little at a time with him/her, a littermate, a familiar dog, or simply just in the familiar environment, presented in a safe, positive manner? Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn't have an effect on its reaction, but I don't see the harm in making the effort to give such opportunities to the pup.
Obviously they do not quit maturing at the age you take them from the litter- that was never implied by me. They're still just puppies and will be developing physically, socially, etc for a long time yet.
Thanks again for your opinions on the right time to go.... There shall never be 100% agreement, but it is helpful if you have any experience or information to offer. I guess I'm not even looking to be convinced... just wanted some views from the outside.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)