When can puppies leave their mom, and why is 10 weeks better than 8?
Most breeders let their puppies go to their new homes at 8 weeks, and in the Netherlands, where we are based, the legal minimum is 7 weeks. At Stressless Dogs we would rather see a puppy stay with his mom and littermates until 10 weeks or older, because at 8 weeks he is often still in the middle of weaning and his first fear period, and his bite inhibition is not finished yet.
Much of what a puppy learns in those last weeks with the litter is dog language. How you learn to read that language yourself is what you see in the free webinar.
In short
Leaving the litter at 7 weeks is very young from a welfare point of view, because a puppy still depends heavily on his mom and littermates.
8 weeks is the age most breeders choose. We prefer 10 weeks or older.
At 10 weeks a puppy is fully weaned and has gone through his first fear period in a safe situation.
In those extra weeks he practices his bite inhibition and his first social skills with his mom and littermates.
A puppy coming from another country often arrives at 15 weeks at the earliest, because of the rabies vaccination and the waiting period after it.
When can puppies leave their mom?
Most breeders choose 8 weeks, and we prefer 10 weeks or older. More and more breeders keep their puppies longer, although it is not standard yet.
Age | What is going on | Our view |
|---|---|---|
7 weeks | The legal minimum in the Netherlands; the puppy is still very dependent on his mom and littermates, weaning may not be complete, and the first fear period usually still has to come | Very young from a welfare point of view |
8 weeks | The most common age; weaning often works out, but the puppy is around his first fear period and his bite inhibition is not fully developed | Possible, but not ideal |
10 weeks or older | Fully weaned, first fear period lived through safely with the litter, more time for play and social learning | Our preference |
In summary: at 7 weeks a puppy is still very dependent on his mom and littermates. At 8 weeks, the age most breeders choose, he is often weaned, but he is around his first fear period and his bite inhibition is not finished. At 10 weeks or older he has been able to take those steps in a safe environment, and that is why we prefer that age.
Why is 10 weeks better than 8 weeks?
Because between 8 and 10 weeks three things happen that a puppy is best off doing with his mom and littermates: weaning, going through his first fear period, and practicing social behavior.
Weaning. Many mother dogs start keeping a bit more distance from their puppies somewhere between 5 and 7 weeks, and that sets natural weaning in motion. At 10 weeks it is realistic for the puppies to be fully weaned. By then the mother often no longer wants to nurse, or barely, because those sharp puppy teeth hurt.
The first fear period. Around 8 weeks many puppies go through their first fear period, the phase in which they become more cautious about anything new. Exactly when it starts cannot be predicted in advance. If a puppy moves only after that phase, you know he went through it with the reassurance of his mom and littermates close by. What a fear period is and how to recognize one, you can read in Fear periods in dogs.
Bite inhibition and social behavior. Bite inhibition is a puppy’s ability to know how hard he can and may bite. It develops through play: from the reactions of his mom and littermates a puppy learns how hard or how softly he may use his teeth. With little squeaks, barks or turning away from the game, puppies also practice setting boundaries and recognizing them. In a puppy of 8 weeks, that bite inhibition is not fully developed yet.
Is 8 weeks too young for a puppy?
Not too young in the sense that it cannot turn out well, but it is early. Many puppies come home at 8 weeks, and with good guidance they too grow up into relaxed dogs.
The difference lies in what your puppy still has to do at your home that he would otherwise have done with the litter. Chances are he will go through his first fear period with you, in the middle of the biggest change of his life. A puppy who has just been taken away from his mom and littermates feels like he landed in a foreign country overnight, and you are the only familiar thing he has.
If your puppy comes home at 8 weeks, take extra care to offer support, rest and safety. Plan nothing for the first days, let him explore at his own pace, and do not overload him with outings, visitors or socialization: everything is new already. Comfort him when he is scared, because you cannot reinforce fear. How to handle the first nights, you can read in The first night with your puppy. His bite inhibition is still developing, so biting will be part of the coming period; see Why does my puppy bite so much?
How do you decide on the right age together with the breeder?
Through a tailored approach, and that asks for flexibility from you. There is no single answer to the question of what the ideal age to move is, but at some point a date has to be set.
In the ideal situation you and the breeder work together and look at how the puppy is developing and what he is ready for. One puppy seems ready to move at around ten weeks, another still benefits from one or two extra weeks with his mom and littermates. So leave some room in your planning and do not set the pickup date in stone months in advance.
Also realize what you are asking. Keeping puppies longer means a lot of extra time, work and effort for a breeder. A breeder who does that is investing in your puppy’s start in life.
Is your puppy coming from another country?
Then he often arrives at 15 weeks at the earliest. For many countries, a puppy that crosses a border first needs a rabies vaccination. That shot can only be given at 12 weeks, and after it there is a waiting period of 21 days, or 3 weeks, before the puppy may travel.
Import rules differ from country to country, so check them for your own situation before you commit.
From our practice
One of our coaches is a breeder and shows what keeping puppies longer looks like in practice. At that age the puppies regularly go outside in pairs or on their own, often with one of the breeder’s adult dogs along for support. You see a puppy copying the older dog’s behavior, inviting that dog to play, and then briefly seeking closeness with the breeder.
That is 10 to 15 minutes outside per puppy. With a larger litter, that adds up quickly. It shows you what a puppy learns in those extra weeks, and also why a breeder who keeps him longer deserves appreciation.
When to get help
Is your puppy still very fearful weeks after the move, is it getting worse, or does his fear tip into panic? Then have a welfare focused behavior professional take a look, and never force him to face his fear. If your puppy bites harder and harder and rest, sleep and replacement behavior do not turn it around, or if you see real aggression, bring in a qualified behavior therapist instead of practicing on your own. If you suspect pain plays a role, have your veterinarian check him; a short appointment does not always rule pain out. You can always email amee@stresslessdogs.com as well.
Frequently asked questions
Can a puppy leave his mom at 7 weeks?
In the Netherlands, where we are based, 7 weeks is the legal minimum, but from a welfare point of view we find it very young. A puppy is still strongly dependent on his mom and littermates, weaning may not be complete, and his first fear period usually still has to come. The time to learn social behavior is minimal.
What is the best way to pick up my puppy?
Preferably in the morning, with two people: one drives, the other gives the puppy attention, ideally on their lap. Avoid traffic jams, bring a blanket, water and a cuddly toy that smells of the litter, and plan a potty break on drives longer than an hour. Do not use a metal crate for this first ride.
Can I ask the breeder to keep my puppy longer?
You can always discuss it. Start the conversation with the puppy’s welfare as the starting point, and be flexible about the date yourself. Keep in mind that it means a lot of extra time and work for the breeder, and that not every breeder chooses to do it.
Sources
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Position Statement on Puppy Socialization. On the socialization period of puppies.
Read next
Fear periods in dogs: when do they happen and what do you do?
The first night with your puppy: how he sleeps (and you do too)
How to Socialize a Dog: Why Friendships Work Better Than the Dog Park
Teaching a puppy to be alone: when do you start and how do you build it up?
What your puppy learns with the litter, you take over
In the weeks with his mom and littermates, your puppy learns to talk in dog language: setting a boundary with a squeak, ending a game by turning away, noticing from a reaction that he bit too hard. A mother dog stops a puppy who wants to nurse in a mild but clear way, just by moving her body. Behavior is communication, and once your puppy lives with you, you are the one who continues that conversation. How to read that language and calmly talk back is what you see in the free webinar. If you want to learn to understand your puppy properly from the very first week, that is what the Stressless Communication Course is for.
Thank you for reading, on behalf of me and all the dogs.
Dog Behavior Consultant & Natural Dog Trainer