11wks - how much of a problem?

[Al Downie]

Hello,

I'm the proud expectant father of a working cocker pup (born mid Sept but I'll be collecting at the end of November).  I've just been casting an eye over some other posts in the forum, and it seems that because the pup will be 11wks when I collect it, it's inevitably doomed to be a deranged, emotionally retarded, untrainable, antisocial wildebeest which eats children and has no redeeming features whatsoever. Is this true?

Seriously, I wish I could collect the pup earlier, but because of work commitments I couldn't arrange the time off; if I collect it at the end of November I can take the whole of December off and devote myself to it completely. It'll be a month FULL of socialisation with people and other dogs/pups, introductions to parks, water, countryside, beach, and as many other environments and situations as I can cram into the time - is the threashold really as absolute as some people make out?

Thanks for any advice,

Al

[Helen]

Hello,

I'm the proud expectant father of a working cocker pup (born mid Sept but I'll be collecting at the end of November).  I've just been casting an eye over some other posts in the forum, and it seems that because the pup will be 11wks when I collect it, it's inevitably doomed to be a deranged, emotionally retarded, untrainable, antisocial wildebeest which eats children and has no redeeming features whatsoever. Is this true?

Seriously, I wish I could collect the pup earlier, but because of work commitments I couldn't arrange the time off; if I collect it at the end of November I can take the whole of December off and devote myself to it completely. It'll be a month FULL of socialisation with people and other dogs/pups, introductions to parks, water, countryside, beach, and as many other environments and situations as I can cram into the time - is the threashold really as absolute as some people make out?

Thanks for any advice,

Al

my sister in law collected her puppy at 10 weeks due to the same problem.

fudge was at a breeder (gamekeeper) with teenage daughters and loads and loads of company, human and canine.  If your working cocker breeder is the same type then i really feel you won't have a problem

are you close to the breeder?  can you visit regularly?  This also helped with fudge as her mum visited as much as possible, and spent hours with her at the weekends in between getting her.

 

[Saffie]

Stop worrying. I guess the breeder you are collecting it from will not be putting it in a box at 8 weeks and not letting it see anyone or thing. The little chap will still develope normally and still be a hyper bag of teeth by the time you collect.

Will the puppy be vacinated by the time you collect?

[Elisa]

Hello,

I'm the proud expectant father of a working cocker pup (born mid Sept but I'll be collecting at the end of November).  I've just been casting an eye over some other posts in the forum, and it seems that because the pup will be 11wks when I collect it, it's inevitably doomed to be a deranged, emotionally retarded, untrainable, antisocial wildebeest which eats children and has no redeeming features whatsoever. Is this true?

Blimey  are the posts that bad?? 

Welcome to the forum 

I wouldn't have thought you would have any problems as long as you get out there socialising as soon as you bring your pup home.  Would he/she have had any socialisation at the breeders before you bring him/her home?

There are a few members here that have brought older pups home and have had no problems at all 

[Abby]

We didn't get Clive until he was 13 weeks and he's one of the least deranged dogs I know...

Sounds like you're doing the right thing by your pup.

[Colin]

8 to 12 weeks is a really important imprinting period in a dog's life so I'd say that it all depends on how the breeder is dealing with this. If the pup lives in outdoor kennels with little interaction with humans and is pretty much left to it's own devices for most of the day then I'd be worried - but if the breeder is following a good socialisation programme to get the pup used to the various sights, sounds, people etc that it will encounter in later life, then I don't think there should be a problem.

Welcome to the forum by the way. 

[Bluebell]

Ditto what Colin has said - you cannot get that time back!! I wouid also insist that the pup started his vaccinations at 8 weeks, so that you can get the booster done to get you out and about!!

[kate.s]

Sam was 11 weeks old when we got him and he was fine. He came from a family home though with kids very similar in ages to mine so it wasn't such a big shock. I'm sure your puppy will be fine  

[happydog]

I'm the proud expectant father of a working cocker pup (born mid Sept but I'll be collecting at the end of November).  I've just been casting an eye over some other posts in the forum, and it seems that because the pup will be 11wks when I collect it, it's inevitably doomed to be a deranged, emotionally retarded, untrainable, antisocial wildebeest which eats children and has no redeeming features whatsoever. Is this true?

Blimey  are the posts that bad?? 

My reaction exactly Elisa  .

I agree with the previous posts. Providing you are confident that the breeder will be socialising the dog I see no problems. If you can regularly visit then that would be even better. Will the dog be kept outside or inside, with Mum and or siblings? If indoors and you will be doing the same you may even have a relatively housetrained pup by the time he/she comes to you  . The worst scenario would be if the pup were  kept for those extra three weeks, alone, in an outdoor kennel with no social interaction with other dogs or people. If that is the case then you would be better to go elsewhere for your pup. Vaccinations, as Bluebell says, at 8 weeks are a must as otherwise you would not be able to get pup out and about for several weeks.

[Al Downie]

Blimey! Thanks for all the prompt replies.

The breeder is a gundog specialist, and the pups are living outside at the moment, with little contact with children I expect. I'm sure the breeders are less concerned about socialisation than 'pet' breeders, but that's only natural given their breeding interests - in all other respects the environment looks great for the pups, and the breeders seem diligent regarding vaccinations/treatments/registrations etc. The pup will have had its first jabs at 8wks, and I've made an appointment with the vet to get the 2nd set done the day after I collect it (it'll be a very disorienting time for the wee thing). I'll do the best I can for it...

[magicflower]

We got Ruby when she was 10 weeks old.

She is slightly mad but I think that is her natural disposition. Nothing to do with her staying with her breeder for an extra couple of weeks!      

We delayed collecting her for the same reason as you, work and other commitments. We waited until the start of the school summer holidays so that we could have some quality time with Ruby and help her settle in.

She was well socialised when she came to us and it all worked out fine.

By the way, I don't think I could have coped with work in those early weeks after suffering sleep deprivation and all the other "fun" things that a new puppy brings!! 

[PennyB]

Can you not get the 2nd lot of vax done at 10 weeks --- most get done 2 weeks after the 1st one, so that by 11 weeks of age your pup will also be ready to take out properly.

[happydog]

If you are going to have your dog indoors then house training could be interesting at 11 weeks. Not impossible I hasten to add, but it might just take a little longer.  Do the breeders have any dogs in their house? If so, could you not ask them to bring pup indoors for the last few weeks to give you a head start on the housetraining? If you intend to keep your working cocker kennelled outdoors then obviously it isn't an issue for you.

The breeder is a gundog specialist, and the pups are living outside at the moment, with little contact with children I expect. I'm sure the breeders are less concerned about socialisation than 'pet' breeders, but that's only natural given their breeding interests

Even working dogs need interaction and socialisation with all aspects of human and canine life. Fern my working cocker, for example had little interaction with children as a pup. My fault entirely. Life would be a lot easier for me now if she had.

[Colin]

I'm sure the breeders are less concerned about socialisation than 'pet' breeders, but that's only natural given their breeding interests

If the breeders are selling puppies to pet homes then they should be doing all they can to prepare them for that environment.

I hate to be negative but personally I would walk away from the situation as you've described it - I'd be unhappy about homing an 11 week old pup that has never lived indoors or had much human interaction, it just seems too risky to me. I'm sure others would disagree but that's my opinion, for what it's worth.

[Holly]

Beatle was 16 weeks old when we collected her. She had been in an outdoor kennel but had a very good breeder who made sure she was well handled. She had not been vaccinated but in spite of this and having to be kept in until these were completed she has been the best behaved puppy I have ever had
I shall probably live to regret that statement. She's still got plenty of time!!
She was very easy to housetrain, sleeps by herself in the kitchen and has been no problem at night, loves puppy school and damage and destruction seem to be restricted to toys she is allowed to destroy, apart from the garden that is, I just tell myself it will grow again
However....I have recently retired and am at home all day, although I do make a point of making sure she is left regularly so that she gets used to it.
Compared to my Welsh Springer as a puppy she is an  Jasmine howled louder than any dog I've ever heard, destroyed an endless list of things and thought housetraining was a waste of time However we got there in the end and she is great.
I can honestly say having an older unvacinated puppy has been easy. BUT I really think I've been very lucky.
I forgot....she does shoplift . In PAH I have ended up paying for a toy she had very quietly 'aquired' and was carrying round the shop very pleased with herself