12 weeks old puppy instead of 8?

[*MaryG*]

we got Pepper at 12 weeks, it was all fine as the  breeder had worked really hard with him and gave us photos of him going out and meeting people. he was practically toilet trained and well socialised. the only problem we had was him settling at night. i think he found it very difficult being on his own after always being with other dogs. We didn't want him in our room so for a few weeks i slept in the next room down stairs and took himout to toilet when he woofed. the was very good and only woofed if he needed to go, we had hardly any accidents and even now that he is two he will only woof at night if he has an upset tummy. i was worried about getting him a bit older but have no regrets.

[Robbie34]

Charley was twelve weeks when I got him after losing Benjie.  He was a tad slow at toilet training as he had been in an outside kennel and run with his mother and one sibling.  However, I would say that he has been the best dog that I have had.  He has a lovely nature - so has Henry - but he was always very gentle. 

[Sharon]

We got Autumn at 5 MONTHS and she was absolutely fine, but at 12 weeks don't expect miracles of her being house trained, sleep overnight - it will be the same as getting an 8 week old pup, you have to start from the beginning.

[flower1]

An older puppy is brilliant! We had Toby at 19 weeks, his breeder was going to keep him. He lived with his dad, mum, grandma and three other adult dogs, 2 dogs and a bitch and 2 of his sisters, one which was staying and the other was being kept until the new owners had their holiday. He had impeccable manners and no accidents or crying the first night, or any after that as far as the nights were concerned. They still need the same training as an 8 week old but Toby had the socialisation he would have missed out on being our only dog in the important weeks until he was allowed out after his jabs. That had all been sorted so it was great and he could enjoy the holiday we had a few weeks later 

[cangrejo]

Dexter was 10 weeks old when he came home which fitted in with my time off work. He was home reared so was used to household noises, and importantly older dogs. He seemed a lot more confident than Charlie when I brought him home (Charlie was 8 weeks). All his siblings had left, although he had plenty of company with Mum, Aunties, Granny, older sisters plus the breeders children 

The other advantage was not having to wait so long to take him out 

[Patp]

Jinley was just under 11 weeks, mainly due to a wedding we had to go to.  The breeder did not want her to go before 10 weeks, so it was only an extra week.  She was kept outside in a pen with her mom as she was the last to go, had had no other socialisation - not even been in a garden.  But in my opinion I was glad about this, her first real outside world experiences were with me so I could control the situation and the outcome.

Like others have said, find out what the breeder will be doing with her - eg daily grooming, handling, even starting on early re-call.  Personally I wouldnt worry too much about toilet training or sleeping through the night as this would be disrupted when going to a new home anyway.

If I couldnt have had her for an extra couple of weeks, I would have still waited.


Hope this helps.

Pat