Thought I'd ask this as there seem to be lots of opinions on the subject. Over here (Ireland and UK), puppies are often homed around 8 weeks, some as early as 7.5 weeks (I think that is a minimum set by the Irish Kennel Club, though it seems dreadfully young to me). Do the US clubs set a minimum age for cavalier breeders to adhere to? Or is there a general consensus among most responsible breeders?
I always wonder even at the standard of 8 weeks for puppies generally, which still seems quite young. Dog behaviouralists that I know feel the puppies benefit from an extra couple of weeks with mum and siblings to be better socialised and have more 'manners' (eg less sharp puppy biting for example because mum and siblings will have established what is acceptable and what is painful to all the pups). Do you find this to be the case? I know that TKC on this board --n who is a qualified trainer and behaviouralist -- says she finds the pups or adults that come in with behaviour issues tend to be those rehomed at 7 weeks or younger; the early separation really does seem to affect how the pup relates to the world and its self confidence and self restraint.
K.
I always wonder even at the standard of 8 weeks for puppies generally, which still seems quite young. Dog behaviouralists that I know feel the puppies benefit from an extra couple of weeks with mum and siblings to be better socialised and have more 'manners' (eg less sharp puppy biting for example because mum and siblings will have established what is acceptable and what is painful to all the pups). Do you find this to be the case? I know that TKC on this board --n who is a qualified trainer and behaviouralist -- says she finds the pups or adults that come in with behaviour issues tend to be those rehomed at 7 weeks or younger; the early separation really does seem to affect how the pup relates to the world and its self confidence and self restraint.
K.