Is 8 Weeks too Young? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

tmmoye · 12-16-2009, 07:04 PM

This is my first yorkie. I have so many questions. I have been researching and reading information on small dogs (I have always had larger dogs). I am very excited about getting a puppy some time in January. He will be 8 weeks old when I get him. I have been doing a lot of reading, and it seems most are adopted at 10 to 12 weeks. I am curious about pros and cons. I would love to get him sooner, but want him to be ready to adapt to his new home. I would appreciate any thoughts!

ArmaniMan · 12-16-2009, 07:07 PM

It is not recommended to get a yorkie (or other toy dog) until at least 10 - 12 weeks.

These puppies are very small at that age and are susceptible to hypoglycemia and other special health concerns.

I would also be wary of a breeder willing to let your pup go at 8 weeks.

megooego · 12-16-2009, 07:09 PM

You are right, 8 weeks is too young.
Small breed puppies should stay with their mother until 10 -12 weeks. ( Im sure someone will come on here and tell you exactly how long)

I know this because I got my baby at 8 weeks and he had alot of biting problems that could have been avoided if he would have stayed with his littermates. He would have learned from them that this behavior was unacceptable.

I know you are probably very excited and cannot wait to get your little one, but in the long run, it would be the best to wait.

BamaFan121s · 12-16-2009, 07:10 PM

I think that 8 weeks is definitely too young, as I am sure many (if not most) will agree. There are valuable socialization skills that pups learn when they stay with mom and litter mates a little longer. (I know that one problem people often seem to complain about when getting pups young is breaking them of the play biting habit...which can be a real problem.) Also, these little guys are prone to low blood sugar. Breeders keeping them until they are bit older doesn't eliminate that problem altogether, but it does reduce the chances of them having problems with it.

Not to sound negative and rain on your parade, but I would be VERY wary of any breeder willing to release pups at such a young age. I would suggest you take a very close look at all the aspects of this person's breeding practices.

Good luck, congrats on getting your little one soon, and welcome to YT.

tmmoye · 12-16-2009, 07:48 PM

Thanks! All this information is very helpful. My puppy is coming from friends who are not breeders. They wanted a puppy so they mated their dog, but she had extras! I will share these thoughts so we can make a decision that is in the best interest of my little fella

Mardelin · 12-16-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmmoye

Thanks! All this information is very helpful. My puppy is coming from friends who are not breeders. They wanted a puppy so they mated their dog, but she had extras! I will share these thoughts so we can make a decision that is in the best interest of my little fella

Eight weeks is definately too young for a pup to leave their moms......they are just being weaned. Will barely be recieving their first innoculation.
Between 8 & 12 weeks of age, pups are learning so much from their mothers.....

The earliest should be at 12 weeks of age....enough time for 2 shots, vet checks, pup is eating well on it's own....

You might visit YTCA.org and read the code of ethics and conduct.....great information there.

RachelandSadie · 12-16-2009, 09:09 PM

from experience....we did 7.5 weeks.

pros: she is super adapted to our lives in every way possible, she learned a ton of tricks in the early weeks and knows a lot of them well still. she is the cutest little bundle of joy and had i waited until 12 weeks i would have missed so much of her puppy stages

cons: biting is still happening and nipping and chewing hands at 6 months old, if she'd stayed with mom that would be gone, the risks to health and the obvious risks of getting a pup at 8 weeks from a person who has NO breeding experience is pretty dangerous in terms of the health issues that could come up. you have no idea what kind of background the pup will have when dealing with a breeder who doesn't know what they are doing or just had pups for the fun of it. yorkie breeding is a very deep and researched thing to get into, not something a person should be doing that only wants puppies nad then gives away the ones that they don't want. you won't know anything about the size and health of the pup you are getting. and i'm not trying to scare you or be rude, just giving you a warning that you might be getting into a situation where you don't know all the health risks and information you should know.

but good luck on finding the perfect dog, if i were you, i'd advise this friend to keep ALL Puppies until at least 12 weeks of age with their mother...and also advise her to next time research and learn A LOT more about breeding dogs before just deciding she wants to have puppies without any knowledge of breeding before hand.

good luck!!

Ladymom · 12-16-2009, 10:08 PM

This is the best explanation of the 12 Week Rule I have found. It's from Foxstone Maltese, but applies to Yorkies as well.

Why do Maltese puppies need to be 12 weeks old before going to a new home??

The best takeway message from this is not to get a puppy from a breeder who will let a puppy go before 12 weeks. This breeder is not knowledgeable about the breed. It is like playing Russian Roulette with the future health of your puppy if you get one from an inexperienced breeder.

LilMissy · 12-16-2009, 10:22 PM

I got Missy when she was 7 weeks old (didn't know better), and we struggled with her for the first 3 weeks that she was home. It was scarey actually, her blood sugar was always dropping. Since it is your friends that have your puppy, it would be ideal to leave your puppy with it's Mommy and littermates until 12 weeks of age.

JasmineNoelle · 12-16-2009, 10:48 PM

We got Jasmine (yorkie) at 8 weeks of age. She will be one year old in two weeks. She never experienced any hypoglycemic spells nor did we go through the biting with her. Prissy (toy poodle) who is 7 yrs. of age now was also 8 weeks old when we brought her home. We didn't experience any problems with her either. It prob. is better if they are older, however with both of ours we didn't have any problems.

florencelisa · 12-16-2009, 11:08 PM

I honestly think along with the others that it is too young as well.

HOWEVER,
I got Manolo (female) at 8 weeks and she barely cried if not at all, and seemed to be very well adapted. Actually I thought it was a miracle she was so easy-going. Especially with potty training and with teething. I had no problems or issues with her. I figured she came from a good line of dogs that had good easy going personalities.

My second one, Lewie (male) I got at 8 weeks. Whines whines whines. Is not food motivated and I feel like I should have gotten him at 12 weeks rather than 8 weeks. In fact I was thinking of just giving it back to the breeders so it can stay and I'd pick it up again in a few more weeks.

Nonetheless, better not take any chances and if you can get it at 12 weeks in my opinion.

BridgettesMomma · 12-16-2009, 11:31 PM

8 weeks is most definatley to young. Larger breeds can be rehomed at that age because they mature faster. I have had 2 (soon to be 3) litters and have not let a single one leave before 12 weeks. Much to the new parents dismay I know it is best. I get emails ALL the time on how wonderful, well balanced and smart they are. I don't even wean them until around 7 to 8 weeks. I would talk it over with your friend it'll be better for you in the long run and better for all the puppies development.

Amoureux · 12-17-2009, 12:41 AM

All I can say is please ask the breeder to keep your puppy until at least 10 weeks old. I had a Biewer litter and can not tell you how important the time with their mommy and siblings are. They only really start playing and exploring by the age of 7 weeks. There is no way a human can teach a puppy how to interact with one another, only their mommies and siblings can do that. My babies have now gone to their new forever homes and the feed back I get from their new mommies are wonderful. They are healthy, well adjusted not fussy eaters and get along with their others pets and humans wonderfully. Not to mention the health risk you will be taking with your baby.

yorkielover916 · 12-17-2009, 06:20 PM

I also agree with everyone, I dont have my baby yet and I probably wont for a while, but in doing my research, I have found that it is best to get a yorkie at 12 weeks or older. I am hoping to get my puppy for Mother's day... I Pray that I get my baby for Mother's day. Hope all goes well w/ your new little baby...

noisinka · 12-18-2009, 05:38 AM

My breeder would not let me take Sandy home before he was 12 weeks old. She told me she was not letting him go before he had his second vaccination.

12-16-2009, 07:04 PM	#1
tmmoye YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Isle of Palms, SC, USA Posts: 5	Is 8 Weeks too Young? This is my first yorkie. I have so many questions. I have been researching and reading information on small dogs (I have always had larger dogs). I am very excited about getting a puppy some time in January. He will be 8 weeks old when I get him. I have been doing a lot of reading, and it seems most are adopted at 10 to 12 weeks. I am curious about pros and cons. I would love to get him sooner, but want him to be ready to adapt to his new home. I would appreciate any thoughts! Last edited by tmmoye; 12-16-2009 at 07:06 PM.

12-16-2009, 07:09 PM	#3
megooego I ♥ my boys Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sturtevant, WI Posts: 1,630	You are right, 8 weeks is too young. Small breed puppies should stay with their mother until 10 -12 weeks. ( Im sure someone will come on here and tell you exactly how long) I know this because I got my baby at 8 weeks and he had alot of biting problems that could have been avoided if he would have stayed with his littermates. He would have learned from them that this behavior was unacceptable. I know you are probably very excited and cannot wait to get your little one, but in the long run, it would be the best to wait. __________________ ♪ Jimi \| Marshall \| Hendrix ♫ "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world shall know peace." - Hendrix Last edited by megooego; 12-16-2009 at 07:12 PM.

12-16-2009, 10:08 PM	#8
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	This is the best explanation of the 12 Week Rule I have found. It's from Foxstone Maltese, but applies to Yorkies as well. Why do Maltese puppies need to be 12 weeks old before going to a new home?? The best takeway message from this is not to get a puppy from a breeder who will let a puppy go before 12 weeks. This breeder is not knowledgeable about the breed. It is like playing Russian Roulette with the future health of your puppy if you get one from an inexperienced breeder. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

12-16-2009, 10:22 PM	#9
LilMissy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 3,421	I got Missy when she was 7 weeks old (didn't know better), and we struggled with her for the first 3 weeks that she was home. It was scarey actually, her blood sugar was always dropping. Since it is your friends that have your puppy, it would be ideal to leave your puppy with it's Mommy and littermates until 12 weeks of age. __________________ Shaunna with Missy (my princess) & Dora (my tomboy)

12-16-2009, 10:48 PM	#10
JasmineNoelle YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 2,774 Blog Entries: 1	We got Jasmine (yorkie) at 8 weeks of age. She will be one year old in two weeks. She never experienced any hypoglycemic spells nor did we go through the biting with her. Prissy (toy poodle) who is 7 yrs. of age now was also 8 weeks old when we brought her home. We didn't experience any problems with her either. It prob. is better if they are older, however with both of ours we didn't have any problems. __________________ Jasmine's, Prissy's and Maggie Mae's Mommy

12-16-2009, 07:07 PM	#2
ArmaniMan I ♥ Armani & Chloe Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 3,895	It is not recommended to get a yorkie (or other toy dog) until at least 10 - 12 weeks. These puppies are very small at that age and are susceptible to hypoglycemia and other special health concerns. I would also be wary of a breeder willing to let your pup go at 8 weeks.

12-16-2009, 07:10 PM	#4
BamaFan121s Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 11,432	I think that 8 weeks is definitely too young, as I am sure many (if not most) will agree. There are valuable socialization skills that pups learn when they stay with mom and litter mates a little longer. (I know that one problem people often seem to complain about when getting pups young is breaking them of the play biting habit...which can be a real problem.) Also, these little guys are prone to low blood sugar. Breeders keeping them until they are bit older doesn't eliminate that problem altogether, but it does reduce the chances of them having problems with it. Not to sound negative and rain on your parade, but I would be VERY wary of any breeder willing to release pups at such a young age. I would suggest you take a very close look at all the aspects of this person's breeding practices. Good luck, congrats on getting your little one soon, and welcome to YT.

12-16-2009, 07:48 PM	#5
tmmoye YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Isle of Palms, SC, USA Posts: 5	Thanks! All this information is very helpful. My puppy is coming from friends who are not breeders. They wanted a puppy so they mated their dog, but she had extras! I will share these thoughts so we can make a decision that is in the best interest of my little fella

12-16-2009, 09:09 PM	#7
RachelandSadie No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 5,748	from experience....we did 7.5 weeks. pros: she is super adapted to our lives in every way possible, she learned a ton of tricks in the early weeks and knows a lot of them well still. she is the cutest little bundle of joy and had i waited until 12 weeks i would have missed so much of her puppy stages cons: biting is still happening and nipping and chewing hands at 6 months old, if she'd stayed with mom that would be gone, the risks to health and the obvious risks of getting a pup at 8 weeks from a person who has NO breeding experience is pretty dangerous in terms of the health issues that could come up. you have no idea what kind of background the pup will have when dealing with a breeder who doesn't know what they are doing or just had pups for the fun of it. yorkie breeding is a very deep and researched thing to get into, not something a person should be doing that only wants puppies nad then gives away the ones that they don't want. you won't know anything about the size and health of the pup you are getting. and i'm not trying to scare you or be rude, just giving you a warning that you might be getting into a situation where you don't know all the health risks and information you should know. but good luck on finding the perfect dog, if i were you, i'd advise this friend to keep ALL Puppies until at least 12 weeks of age with their mother...and also advise her to next time research and learn A LOT more about breeding dogs before just deciding she wants to have puppies without any knowledge of breeding before hand. good luck!!

12-16-2009, 11:08 PM	#11
florencelisa Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 249 Blog Entries: 9	I honestly think along with the others that it is too young as well. HOWEVER, I got Manolo (female) at 8 weeks and she barely cried if not at all, and seemed to be very well adapted. Actually I thought it was a miracle she was so easy-going. Especially with potty training and with teething. I had no problems or issues with her. I figured she came from a good line of dogs that had good easy going personalities. My second one, Lewie (male) I got at 8 weeks. Whines whines whines. Is not food motivated and I feel like I should have gotten him at 12 weeks rather than 8 weeks. In fact I was thinking of just giving it back to the breeders so it can stay and I'd pick it up again in a few more weeks. Nonetheless, better not take any chances and if you can get it at 12 weeks in my opinion. __________________ Proud Mommy of Lewie & Manolo

12-16-2009, 11:31 PM	#12
BridgettesMomma Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ca Posts: 207	8 weeks is most definatley to young. Larger breeds can be rehomed at that age because they mature faster. I have had 2 (soon to be 3) litters and have not let a single one leave before 12 weeks. Much to the new parents dismay I know it is best. I get emails ALL the time on how wonderful, well balanced and smart they are. I don't even wean them until around 7 to 8 weeks. I would talk it over with your friend it'll be better for you in the long run and better for all the puppies development. __________________ *THE BRAT PACK* Bridgette & Teddy the Yorkies Harley & Roxy the Pugs Lizzie the Cocker Spaniel *Bandit the Papillon X

12-17-2009, 12:41 AM	#13
Amoureux Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South Africa Posts: 77	All I can say is please ask the breeder to keep your puppy until at least 10 weeks old. I had a Biewer litter and can not tell you how important the time with their mommy and siblings are. They only really start playing and exploring by the age of 7 weeks. There is no way a human can teach a puppy how to interact with one another, only their mommies and siblings can do that. My babies have now gone to their new forever homes and the feed back I get from their new mommies are wonderful. They are healthy, well adjusted not fussy eaters and get along with their others pets and humans wonderfully. Not to mention the health risk you will be taking with your baby.

12-17-2009, 06:20 PM	#14
yorkielover916 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX, USA Posts: 238 Blog Entries: 1	I also agree with everyone, I dont have my baby yet and I probably wont for a while, but in doing my research, I have found that it is best to get a yorkie at 12 weeks or older. I am hoping to get my puppy for Mother's day... I Pray that I get my baby for Mother's day. Hope all goes well w/ your new little baby... __________________ Carla & Jasper R.I.P. JoJo

12-18-2009, 05:38 AM	#15
noisinka YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Europe Posts: 259	My breeder would not let me take Sandy home before he was 12 weeks old. She told me she was not letting him go before he had his second vaccination.