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getting a puppy at 7 weeks

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i was going to bring my puppy home at 7 weeks. (i've read that 8 weeks is best).
shes eating pretty well but she still doesnt like water too much.
so the owner is going to give me that milk powder you mix with water (sorry i dont know what its called) and she's been separated from her mother for a week and a half now (shes only with her mom at night)
so is it a good decision to bring her home?
 
& weeks is illegal as far as I know, correct me if I'm wrong. Sounds like she has been separated too young from her mum if you ask me. I'd be very dubious about a breeder who would do this.

Does this breeder heart test or MRI her dogs?
 
oh this isnt a breeder. she has 2 dogs and you know they had pups.
so all i want to know if its okay for me to take her or not.
 
I'd wait until 12 weeks. This dog needs to be socialized with it's litter mates. They learn a lot from the parents and brothers and sisters. If you take the pup now, you will have to keep it from other dogs until all the shots are done and the pup misses out on the most important time in it's life to socialize, they say between 10 and 12 weeks I think. Personally I'd prefer a dog whose parents are health tested.
 
As it says, socialization is important between 8 and 12 weeks but if you bring the pup home, it will be isolated from other dogs and pups while you get the shots done, the shots take a month. She may well be happy to keep the pup for longer for you.

Well looked after dogs doesn't mean health tested. The Cavalier breed has two major health issues, MVD and Syringomyelia. The parents should be clear of these at 2 1/2 years old to be fit for breeding and realistically the grandparents should be clear too.

I hope that helps (y)
 
Its really the best thing for the puppy to stay with its mum and littermates for at least 9 to 10 weeks. It needs this time with them to learn what every dog must know. It seems like a lifetime while you're waiting to bring it home, I know, so maybe you could make regular visits to your puppy so that you can play with it and it becomes used to you.
 
Please, please don't make the same mistake I did with my first Cav, Dudley. The "breeder" (and I use that word with contempt, frankly) insisted we take him home between 6 and 7 weeks. I can't tell you how much I regret going along with her insistence. Besides spending hours latched onto my arm as if he were nursing, Dudley had severe separation anxiety, and I blame it squarely on being taken from his mother at such a young age. He was also very poorly socialized and would go into a slobbering (literally) fit when he was around other dogs. He eventually got past his fear of other dogs somewhat, but he never lost his fear of many people or his extreme anxiety whenever we were gone. Literally every single time we went near the door as if to go out, he'd go into a panic attack. I loved the dog dearly, but it was so hard dealing with his behavior. I think a lot of Cavaliers end up in rescue because of separation anxiety problems. They're prone to that problem anyway, so taking them so young just adds to the likelihood that they'll experience it.

Cavaliers need to be with their mothers a bit longer than other breeds, I believe. If you give it an extra few weeks, you'll be so much better off in the long run In the meantime, read up on the breed and what you can expect, especially with their health issues.

I hope I haven't scared you out of your mind. I just want to spare you the trouble I went through. Cavaliers are wonderful little creatures!

Lori
 
I would suggest you read the sections on getting a cavalier here on the forum. I wish I had known about his forum before I got my first cavalier (but I was totally ignorant then).

No matter how much this person loves, babies and cares for their dogs, by no means does this mean these two dogs fit to be bred unless they meet the minimum requirements that Pauline already stated. Ethical breeders who show their dogs usually only breed show quality dogs that also pass the health tests. This is to protect the breed standard as well as your future pet from heart-breaking hereditary ailments, your pocketbook from thousands in vet bills, and your heart from the anguish of losing a pet FAR too soon, or watch it spend its days suffering as many on this board have had to, or are having to do. Not only that, it sends a MUCH needed message to these backyard breeders that noone wants their puppies without these minimum standards being met: cardiologist test, the minimum age requirement being met, and, if possible, scans for syringomyelia or the chiari malformation. They need to breed responsibly if they want to find homes for their dogs.

If you still feel comfortable getting the puppy, I'd caution you to let him/her stay for the socialization. There is just no substitute. I got Bandit at 8 weeks, and he was okay, plus with 3 other dogs in the home, he was not dog-less. They continually corrected his behavior. Lizzie came home at 10 weeks. I truthfully didn't see much maturity difference in Lizzie versus Bandit, though there was much better control with her pottying than his. I'd never take a pup younger than 8 weeks, and preferably closer to 10 weeks. (they eat better, sleep better, control their bowels and bladder better)

Good luck!
 
I would not even remotely consider taking a puppy from such a totally clueless (and CRUEL) breeder. Please find someone else -- if this person treats tiny puppies this way, there is NO WAY they are breeding for health and you run a very high risk of being dsaddled with lifetime, costly health problems. :( This is without doubt one of the worst breeder stories I have ever heard, both for ignorance (separating puppies at 6 weeks? WHY?!! That is practically guaranteeing a poorly socialised dog that will very possibly have lifetime behaviour problems as a result and either be chronically shy or aggressive) and cruelty (who would even think of doing this to a puppy, and who would then even consider homing a puppy at only 7 weeks, still obviously needing special care?!!) :bang:. I would report this person to your humane society and if the puppies carry any kennel club registration, report them there as well.
 
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