Taking a puppy home at 7 weeks?

I have been told on another site (which is a general one) that my breeder should not have let me take my pup home at 7 weeks.

I've read the Perfect Puppy book by Gwen Bailey who advocates the puppy coming home at 6 weeks but have been posted lots of links that say a puppy should not leave the litter until 8 weeks.

I checked my old diary from nearly 15 years ago and we got our last Dobe at 7 weeks too.

My breeder is a fantastic woman who is well known in the Doberman world and I am very happy with her and all her dogs are fantastic.

Argh, so worried as I have been told that my boy did not have the time to learn how to play properly and relate to his litter mates games in order to learn when not to bite too hard. Though as I am teaching him not to bite at all that might not be a problem.

However I've also been told that by taking him at 7 weeks we will have better bonding?????

Whatever happens I will ensure that my boy get everything he needs even if I have to pay for extra training etc, whatever it takes I want my pup to be happy and content.

Could I have your comments please?
Thanks
MM

I would say its too soon, but on an american Labrador site, its the norm that they are 7 weeks..

In Denmark its illegal to take a pup away from the mum before they are 8 weeks old...

I'm sure some of the breeders on here, will be able to tell you wot they think, and they should know with their experience of ickle puppies growing up

Thankyou Bellaluna, I so hope to get reassurance but understand if people have concerns and would like to hear them too...............

Maybe because my boy is a big breed (dobermann) that then generally come home at 7 weeks leaseletthatbethecase: smilie

i dont think there is a porblem with you having your pup at 7 weeks, i have seen pups go at 5 weeks and they have been ok (im not saying that its good to leave that early) i start letting new owner have my pups at 7.5 weeks if they have had a dog before of my breed, but not if they had not,
they do learn things of there litters mates if they stay longer but they also bond with you if you have them early, i would say that you had yours at the right time for u

Not to worry

I'm sure Zeus is fine

Hi MM I think before 7 weeks is too soon but 7 weeks is fine, this gives the puppy a week to settle into its new home before the fear imprint stage begins at around 8 weeks...you will however find differing opinions on this a lot has to do with the home circumstances of the litter and how much socialisation the puppy is getting in that situation.
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We got Cassie around 7 weeks and don't think we've had any more or less problems than anyone else.

At the end of the day the way I see it is the pup won't learn to work miracles if its stays with its litter for one more week. I ended up getting my girl at 11/12 weeks and she bonded TOO much and is really badly behaved no matter how much training she gets. So don't worry so long as u look after it and its happy then it dont matter

It think 8 weeks is the right age to get your puppy home.
I know some have gotten their puppies home earlier and this has worked out fine, but unless there is a really good reason i personally would wait to week 8.
Also as J says, here in DK we aren't allowed to take them away before 8 weeks. Not saying it doesnt happen, but in general we dont. And this goes for all breeds. Not just the big ones

My pups leave me at 8 weeks, but to be honest they are ready at 7 weeks and I know many cocker breeders that let them go at 7 weeks too.