I have always let my puppies go to their homes at 8 weeks but am considering placing them at 10 weeks after the fear period is over. I would like to hear from those who have placed pups at both 8 weeks and 10 weeks. Did you notice any differences and if so what were they?

I never gave much thought why it's better, but I've noticed my puppies do better the first couple days in their new homes if they don't leave us before 8-1/2 to 9 weeks. Recently I let a few go to pet homes 2 days before eight weeks old, and I now firmly believe those extra couple days make a big difference. Will not let them go again before 8-1/2 weeks.


Years ago I got a puppy from a breeder that was about 7-1/2 weeks old when we got her. For some reason that one week makes a big difference, they still need to be with their littermates.

I have gotten older puppies, 11 weeks old, they fit right in, bonded well, no problems.

But 7- 8 weeks is still too much a baby. Those extra 3 or 4 days make a difference in that 8th week. JMO

My last litter went at 8 weeks. They were all sleeping through the night by the second night in their new homes--no adaptation, fear or bonding issues.

MK

I have been holding on to puppies until 9 weeks and sometimes longer (If I am having a hard time deciding what to keep). I had a litter this winter where all of the puppies were so mellow and got along with each other very well. In some cases, if you found a pup that was at the bottom on the pecking order - it might be best to get him out by 8 - 9 weeks.

I now have had 6 puppies from breeders.
I want them at 7 or 8 weeks because the ones that I had got from breeders that were older (one 12 weeks and one 3 months) were not socialised at all at the breeders and now, even as adults, they are scared of a lot of stuff my other dogs are not bothered by.
If all you are going to do with your puppies for those two weeks is keep them in a kennel or an x pen and not introduce them to new sights, sounds and people then they are better off in a pet home getting properly socialised and accustomed to household noises and people. If you don't do it at that age then you have missed the boat IMHO

I should have said that agree that 7 weeks is too early and I think 8 or 9 weeks is ideal.
Best wishes with your pup homes

I got all my puppies from breeders at 7 weeks. Honestly, never saw anything to lead me to believe that this was a bad decision. My last breeder was supposed to keep the pup until 8 weeks but because we were an experienced dog home with other dogs, we got her a week early. I know I want to keep MY litter until 8 weeks, but that's merely to make sure that I have made the best assessment regarding which are the keepers and which are sold to pet homes.

I got my first Lab (puppy) at 7.5 weeks, and he is generally unflappable. No socialization issues (related to his age--there are things he's not been socialized TO that he sometimes has issues with, namely black men)

My 2nd came home at about 13 weeks, and the same story, no problems, she's bombproof. Same breeder, same whelping box, same puppy pen.

I've sent puppies home at 8 weeks and had no problems. I've gotten puppies at 8 weeks and 12 weeks and both ways - no problems. I've heard of other breeders deciding that it makes a big difference but I haven't seen anything. Of course - the breeding can always really make a huge difference.
A

I think it depends where you are sending them to.

Tne socialisation period of a puppy is 7-12 weeks and it is important that they are socialised in that period. The fear imprint period from 8-11 weeks is where traumatic and stressful events should be avoided.
So it is important that puppy goes to new home during socialisation period but I would absolutely not subject a puppy less than 12 weeks old to an airplane ride alone or other traumatic experiences between 7 & 11 weeks.

I have done puppies from 4 different bloodlines and they all matured dfferently and were "ready" at different times.

I had a batch that was not socailly developed until after 10 weeks and some highly developed at 5. I hung onto the late bloomers longer and otherwise place at 8 weeks at the earliest.

It is state law puppies must be 8 weeks, here in Fl, and I cannot get a Vet health certificate until the day they are 8 weeks.

It is typical that a "fear" period characteristically pops up around 11-13 weeks and quickly subsides. Critical socailization is recognized to be from birth to 16 weeks. Interaction during that time is crucial to a puppy's world view and it's bility to reach full potential.

I feel when they are weaned from their mother plays an important role in their independant development. I think they bond better between 7-8 weeks, but still keep them until atleast 8 weeks.

JMO

I have let pups go at 8 weeks, 9 weeks, and 10 weeks. There seem to be pros and possibily even cons to letting them go at various ages. Also, is very important to remember that each litter is different. I have let some go at 8 weeks and it seemed to be too early, another litter at 8 weeks and it seemed to work out great.

Unfortunetly, I find it hard to really think of any specifics or details, but all I can really say is if you haven't tryed holding them longer, try it and see what happens. As the breeder, only you can decide what is best for your pups in your specific situation. Once you've held a litter longer, you'll be better able to determine which age seemed best. Then, eventually, you'll be able to tell just by spending time with the pups when they are really ready to go home.

Good Luck!

University of Penn is doing a study about fear, permanent imprinting and weaning during weeks 8-10. They suggest separating at 10 weeks. I think they start thinking as a pack at 8 weeks and when I run on two or more I separate them except for play periods. I've never kept a whole litter that long and wondered if anyone has and if they noticed a difference.
Thanks for the input.

Try to keep in mind that recommendations regarding the "fear period" apply to dogs in general. Do labs have fear periods? I have not seen it and have to wonder if that is something seen is other breeds.

Wow,

Got some thoughts on this, too...

Of the four of my own I have now, three came
home as puppies...
Shilo, at the normal 7 weeks.
Noah, at 12 weeks and Jonas at 16 weeks...all
didn't really have any issues that I recall.
With Shilo, I wasn't really used to dealing with such
a small puppy...but he was easy going...we had
three older labbies here at the time that helped
work with me and him.....I have always had a pack
of three/four of my own dogs.....knowing that my
old girl was probably going to go in 2006, I brought
home young Jonas to assimilate into the pack and
learn the ropes from my 13 year old girl....it worked
out well....I did also add to my pack by bringing
home a puppy prior to Levi's death in 2003...but we
donated that pup for his field/service skills to
a sheriff's dept......

When I added my newest personal dog at the end of 2006, I was not really expecting to do that. However
my former breeder and still totally bestest friend
was looking to downsize due to a divorce, I had the
idea that I would look to help her out by taking in
one of the dogs she still had...and what fun we've
had since the little yellow girl came into a house
full of boys!...

This little yellow girl and I have had the time
of our lives this year by getting involved with
Dock Dogs....had tried with two of my boys last
fall by taking them to practices or events...didn't
see a lot of sparkle from one and the other wouldn't
get on a metal set of steps(got some work to do there)

However, Peanut and I have had a total blast this year
by attending these events up and down the east coast.
She's been burning up the docks recently...and bringing home many awards in junior and amateur
first places. I know that this is not conformation
or obedience, but it is a ton of fun....

Before I get off on a tangent with Dock Dogs,
I have brought home dogs of younger ages, up to 13
months old and haven't noticed any issues with my
four....I really feel that I am lucky..they are
well balanced labbies, between the ages of 2 and nearly 4 now...they will allow the service pups to come & join our family willingly.....I have been
very lucky with my own kids......I think that
any age above 7 weeks will work, if the person/family
taking the dog is willing to work on the possible
things that could come up...

Lastly, I should point out that I puppy raise
for a local MD service group...that is the info
on the service pups...we've had three in the past 15 months...all have done well with us.....

Jane Harford

I release usually at 8 weeks, though if some litters seem slower, then I do keep them longer. I did keep a litter to 11 weeks and they went home with no issues. One pup I kept until 4 months old and she adjusted into her new home right off, no problems.

For those that are taking/releasing pups at 7 weeks, you also need to realise that most state laws require pups to be no younger that 8 weeks due to socialization issues. Here in NH it is against the law to relase a pup younger than 8 weeks and/or bring a pup into the State younger than 8 weeks without contacting the State Vet for permission. This law is punishable up to $1000. per offense. (i have know people hit with this fine) Wether its a probem in labs or not it is an issue in DOGS and I have had to help put down young dogs that were NOT socialized properly and were released at 6-7 weeks of age. Its heartbreaking to see these young animals that were not taken care of properly and were NOT trainable in any way. Please don't release or take a pup until it is at least 8 weeks.

Sorry for the lecture its a touchy area for me.

This subject is also very important for me. Let me first say I AM NOT A BREEDER. I am, however, very familiar with puppy socialization and the 8-12 week fear period. To answer an early question, do labs go through this fear period? ... my answer is YES. I have raised 10 lab or golden puppies for service dogs and have seen ALL pups go through this. The fear period is quite mild, but I notice it. Do I hide them from all novel stimulation during these two weeks? No. I observe my puppy carefully, give lots of treats during this time when doing new things, and when they show hesitation, I distract them to something they are comfortable with and reward. I feel it is extra important that their experiences during this period are positive. I have instructed puppy kindergarten classes and have brought many of my own puppies to these classes. The foundation during these classes at this critical time is very important in my opinion to the dogs future temperament. It is also important that some of this temperament is hereditary, but a good inherited temperament can still be ruined during this time. This being said, would I take home a new puppy before 8 weeks. NO. Would I take home a puppy at from a breeder at 10 weeks? It depends on how well I know and trust the breeder. In my opinion, I want to know what experiences my puppy had during the 8-10 week period, and perferably, I would like to be in control of these as much as possible. If I know the breeder well and how they socialize, I may be willing to take a puppy after 10 weeks. It depends on the breeder. I did get one pup at 13 weeks. He was kept with a littermate until that time and socialized well. He was fine.

We've had a few Labs come through rescue with such severe separation anxiety or thunderstorm fear that they could not be re-homed even being treated with Prozac. I've wondered if it is because they were alone during the fear weeks during their first experience with a storm. A trauma in those weeks isn't forgotten. Maybe nature intended it that way so if they encountered a snake or hostile wildlife and survived, they would be wise enough to grow to adulthood. That's probably why it's such an optimum training period - what they learn stays with them - good and bad.

"...but a good inherited temperament can still be ruined during this time"

As a fellow trainer and a behaviour consultant I have to disagree with you here. I have evaluated a lot of dogs and puppies and the more I do, the more I realize that genetics play a very strong role in temperament. There have been a lot of instances where puppy raisers for Guide Dogs have dropped the ball completely on socialization and the puppies are still very relaxed and adaptible with great bounce back. I have also seen a lot of bait dogs who are still wonderful and savvy around other dogs, regardless of their dubious upbringing...the same goes for dogs and puppies tied to cars.

Jean Donaldson is quite correct when she says that socialization is environmental but the ceiling for socialization is genetic. A well bred lab from adaptible ancestors will have little trouble with socialization and the fear period will not have a lot of influence on this if managed well. If we were talking about a more aloof breed, socialization would become a lot more important.

The other thing to consider is that puppies learn canine communication from 6 to 12 weeks, giving them 6 weeks of optimum learning. If we remove puppies from the litter at 7 weeks, they only have 1 of possible six weeks of learning how to interact with dogs. Even at 8 weeks, they are only 2/3 of the way there. I think it is best to keep them until 10 weeks so they can better learn bite inhibition...research shows that puppies removed at 7 and 8 weeks do not have the bite inhibition that puppies removed at an older age do. Most puppy kindergarten classes IMO do not do a good job of teaching this as the puppies are allowed to interact too long and simply learn to become idjits around other dogs as they are often over-stimulated in classes.

Of course when the puppies are with the breeders, it is not enough to have them running in the garage...breeders must be taking them out on excursions and they must also meet different people while on our watch

Thunderstorm fear can often be noise induced seizures

I just did some reading on audiogenic seizures and it is not what I've observed with rescue Labs. The dogs have panic attacks and are trying to flee. One family called rescue after their dog had jumped through a plate glass window a second time. Some have broken every tooth off trying to escape a crate. The panic lasts as long as the storm (or the owner returns) and then subsides. I'm sure there are others on the list who do rescue who have heard similar stories. The UP study is trying to find a link between 8-10 week trauma and these types of behaviors.

It is well noted that puppies, labs included, do go through a fear imprint period. I witnessed my last pup go through this at 11 weeks. There were puddles outside due to early spring thaw and rains. During this phase my puppy would not step in the puddles. I started wondering what was wrong, she was playing in puddles the previous week. In about one weeks time this phase passed and she's back to running through and playing in puddles. She wanted to be cautious during this time and had I disrupted her process she may have reacted differently to water or puddles forever.

8 weeks is the optimum time to release puppies for the reasons that everyone has stated. The obvious problem with releasing puppies at only a few weeks older is that a new puppy should be going to the vet shortly after getting it. If the timing coincides with a fear imprint phase, it could make trips to the vet difficult for the dog, you and the vet for years to come. My vet has confirmed this observation and thinks that 10 weeks is not a good time to release pups.