It may seem like a silly question to a new dog owner. The truth is when you bring your Puppy home plays a huge role in your dog’s behavior. There is no exact best time as to when you can bring your puppy home, however 8 weeks is generally advised.
Like people, all dogs are different and have different needs. Optimal time depends on a lot of variables. Some of these variables are emotional needs of the pup, socialization schedule, and the level of dog expertise in the household. These all will play a factor when deciding when can you take a puppy home.
When Can you take a Puppy Home?
Although there isn’t an exact time, experts and vets say 8 weeks is a good amount of time.
The important thing is to limit any emotional trauma. You will be taking your Puppy away from the only thing it has known so far.
Have you ever thought about why your dog chews grass? Many people believe it occurs when a dog's tummy is Read more
All any new dog owner wants when bringing a puppy home is for them to settle with as little anxiety Read more
So, you've found a breeder, puppy proofed your home and got your paw pal insured, but how do you decide Read more
With the American Veterinary Medical Association estimating that 36.5% of American households are dog-owners, a guide to moving with a dog Read more
So handling this transition delicately is of the utmost importance. By checking those variables you’ll be able to know when the time is right.
Also, consult with your breeder. A knowledgeable breeder will be able to help new owners out greatly. Sometimes leaving the pup with the breeder a few extra weeks can help newer owners a great deal.
Why do you need to wait 8 weeks to bring a puppy home?
The 8 weeks that the puppy stays with his mom are important. It may seem like an arbitrary thing but it’s not. The puppies need this time to learn. They’ll be learning how to interact with other dogs. They can explore the world safely with their mom around. These skills learned will have a positive effect on your dog’s behavior. The 8 weeks suggestion is just long enough for your King Charles Cavalier Spaniel puppy to learn these things and still be able to form a strong bond with you and your family.
There are a lot of issues if you take your puppy away from its mom too early and too late. The real problems are when they are taken too early. If taken too late they may become very attached to their mom, making leaving harder. Taken too early is when the real problems start. A puppy taken too early will miss out on learning all these skills.
Taking a puppy early can lead to the following issues;
- Aversion to strangers
- Toy possessiveness
- Stranger aggression
- Owner aggression
- Paw licking
- Excessive barking
- Food possessiveness
- House soiling
- Shadow staring
- Fear during walks
- Attention seeking behaviour
- Tail chasing
- Fear of loud noises
The two that are most common are attention seeking and fear of loud noises. All these problems could be avoided just by waiting. It is in your best interest to wait until your puppy is ready to leave.
Bringing Puppy Home – The Fun Begins
The importance of taking your new puppy home at the right time can not be stressed enough.
The benefits of taking a puppy home at the right time outweigh the risks of taking it too early by a landslide.
Consult with your breeder and play an active role. Check in on your puppy to see how they’re are doing. A good breeder will be able to guide you and help.
Do not rush taking your Puppy home or you may have to deal with serious consequences.
Don’t forget, you’ll need to puppy proof your home in advanced and it’s also worth stocking up on supplies.
Have you ever thought about why your dog chews grass? Many people believe it occurs when a dog's tummy is Read more
All any new dog owner wants when bringing a puppy home is for them to settle with as little anxiety Read more
So, you've found a breeder, puppy proofed your home and got your paw pal insured, but how do you decide Read more
With the American Veterinary Medical Association estimating that 36.5% of American households are dog-owners, a guide to moving with a dog Read more