Opinions vary on the best age for a puppy to leave his mother and littermates and begin life with his new family. Some say six weeks, some say seven, while many experts recommend waiting until nine or even ten weeks of age.
Understanding the stages of puppy development can help to determine what age is best for bringing home a new puppy.
Stages of Puppy Development
Generally, puppy growth and development will vary very little from one breed to another. During the first two weeks, puppies have no teeth, cannot see or hear, and must depend on the mother to stimulate their defecation and urination. Their world consists of sleeping, nursing, and feeling secure within the warmth of the litter.
By three weeks of age, the eyes open and teething begins. Crawling graduates into a wobbly walk and puppies of this age do not need the mother to help them with defecation or urination.
At four weeks of age, personality blossoms. Puppy’s sense of hearing, vision, and smell improve and he begins to bark, wag his tail, nibble at food, and play with littermates. This is when he learns how to get along with other dogs and how to keep his den clean.
It’s also an important time for socializing with humans in order to be able to bond strongly with them and become a good pet later on. For the next couple of weeks, life for the puppy is a wonderful combination of nursing and playing.
At six weeks, when weaning begins, Puppy learns that life is not all fun and games. Weaning should be completed by around seven or eight weeks. A strong curiosity will help him learn to eat solid food and explore his world. At this age, he makes all kinds of new discoveries and will learn confidence through socialization and a variety of positive experiences.
It is important to note that his immunities are not yet fully developed at this time and, until vaccinations are completed, he should be protected from too much exposure to the outside world where he can contract diseases.
Somewhere around the age of eight weeks, Puppy experiences a window of time when he is a bit more cautious. This is when he learns boundaries. Fright and stress during this ‘fear period’ can make a lasting or permanent impression on his personality.
After the age of nine weeks, Puppy is ever learning. His curiosity peaks and this is a good time for him to learn new things such as housetraining and basic manners. He will learn best when training is kept fun and positive.
When to Bring Home the New Puppy
The formula for deciding when to bring home a new puppy should consider avoiding the fear period while balancing the time between Puppy staying long enough with the mother and littermates to learn the basics of how to be a dog and the time when he is still young enough to easily bond with his new human family and make a smooth transition into life as a well-adjusted pet.
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Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
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