Question of the Week

Sharyn Hutchens

Lexington, Virginia

In 2000, we sent our very first Whippet litter home at eight weeks and got the phone calls we had been told to expect: “How can we stop him from biting us?” “She doesn’t seem to ‘get’ housetraining!” “He's scared of our other dog.” “Leash training isn’t working!” And on and on and on. 

On a hunch, we kept the second litter until 10 weeks old, and the number of phone calls with problems dropped dramatically! (We also began leash training at home.) I’ve since learned that the first fear period in puppies is eight to 11 weeks, so I suppose that holding them until 12 weeks is ideal. But you have to weigh that against their need to get settled in new homes, your own set-up for your dogs, your plans for the next few weeks, and your puppy buyers' schedules for pickup. We routinely keep one or two for 12 weeks at the new owner's request (vacation, business trip, etc.) and, yes, they are even better prepared. But 10 to 11 weeks works best for our puppies, their new owners and us.

Carol Horner 

Bluffton, South Carolina

I breed Irish Setters, and I use a couple of different factors when determining when puppies can go to their new homes. 

First, if the puppy goes to a local owner, or is being picked up for a short ride home, I let them go at nine weeks. 

If they are flying to their new home, whether inside the cabin with the owner or traveling alone in cargo, they can go between 10 to 12 weeks. This age allows some time between their latest vaccination and the flight. Vaccinations and the stress of air travel both affect the puppy, sometimes provoking HOD (hypertrophic osteodystrophy), so providing a couple of weeks between them is so much better for the youngsters. And even a small amount of time can increase their confidence with new experiences, such as new places and new faces. 

My goal has always been to produce healthy, bold puppies with self-assured personalities, marked by a WindRose “type.” That begins at the mating, the gestation, whelping and early weeks of development. 

I believe in a conservative approach in all things, including the very time these precious babies leave my care. 

Once a breeder finds the right path, he or she should carry on in the same direction. 

Nancy Matthews

Easton, Maryland 

Although I believe that in my state a puppy can be sold at eight weeks of age, I like to keep my puppies for 10 to 12 weeks. They are learning from their mother, and I can teach them a lot as they are maturing: things like crate training, walking on a leash and basic obedience in a fun, positive way.

At this age, I can also discern what each puppy needs in its new home.

Julianne McCoy

South Carolina

I have Pugs, and I do not place until six months or older. The reason is to ensure none has congestion before leaving to go to homes. Congestion can occur depending on time of year, and a lot of pet owners are not prepared to handle it, so I want to protect the puppy and also protect the pet owner’s investment of receiving a very healthy pup.

Heather Stants

Homosassa, Florida

My puppies go to their new homes after 12 weeks. I have Brussels Griffons, and they are not “mature enough” before that time.

Theresa A. Goiffon

Siren, Wisconsin

As someone who has been dedicated to Australian Terriers since 2007, I take the responsibility of raising well-adjusted, confident puppies very seriously. On average, I have a couple of litters each year, and each one receives my full attention from the day they’re born until the day they go home.

Every prospective family is required to complete an application and provide references before being added to my waiting list. This helps ensure each puppy is matched with a home that’s the right fit.

Puppies are whelped in my home, in a dedicated whelping room where both mom and puppies can rest and grow in a calm, clean environment. They stay there for the first couple of weeks, or until their eyes open and they become a bit more mobile. Then they are moved to my office, located in our main living area of our home, to be among a normal family household and experience all the activities that present. 

Around four weeks of age, they’re introduced to solid food. This is also when I start regular grooming and gentle handling, as well as early socialization with children, adults and other animals — large and small. Each week, I add new sights, sounds and experiences to help build their confidence.

By seven to eight weeks, their mother naturally begins weaning them. At this stage, I also start short daytime crate-training sessions, at first a few hours a day, until they are ready to be in their crate overnight. This helps them get comfortable with being alone for brief periods and lays the foundation for potty training and self-soothing skills.

At 10 weeks old, each puppy receives a full veterinary exam and the first puppy vaccinations. This important step gives both me and their future families peace of mind that they’re healthy and off to a great start.

After a couple more weeks of continued socialization, learning and confidence building, my puppies typically join their new families around 12 weeks of age. I believe this extra time with their littermates, their mother and in a busy, stimulating home environment helps produce well-rounded, happy and confident Australian Terrier companions.

Terry Miller

Novelty, Ohio

We start sending them off at around nine to 10 weeks. At that point, all are lead trained and crate trained to give them a good start. After that they slowly leave as we make choices and evaluations. In a perfect world, all but the few best are gone by around 11 to 12 weeks old. 

Henry and Virginia Dingfelder

Aiken, South Carolina

Since we breed a cropped and docked breed, our puppies go home when their ears are completely healed and posted. This is normally 10 to 11 weeks old.

Janet York

New York, New York

I sell my puppies at 16 weeks!

The first nine weeks they stay with their mother and have their first vaccine.

Then I begin training them in basic obedience and introduce puzzles and “find it” games.

The second vaccine is at 12 weeks, and the third and final at 16 weeks.

No booster at a year but rather a titer to determine if they are covered, and they always are. My two 12-year-olds are fully covered, and I have had a 16-year-old covered. Titers are the way to go and should be done yearly.

This way my dogs are vaccine covered and NEVER overdosed.

I have no allergies to food or any environmental substances.

Kate McMillan

Delisle, Saskatchewan, Canada

Never before their second set of puppy shots and eye exams are completed. This also allows a few extra weeks of crate training and "fight club instruction" in bite inhibition.

Pam Mandeville

Somerset, New Jersey

Puppies headed to pet homes leave around 10 weeks of age. Later for those who will be part of a breeding/exhibiting program ... preferably at least 12 weeks, depending on the experience of the owner.