Five weeks old? A little young to be taken from his mommy, huh? Awww, he is sooooo adorable! What a sweet face =3 And Nicky is oh so very handsome! (Reply to this)(Thread) mintbritchick 2004-12-13 21:44 (link) I thought so too, but he's been eating solid food for a while now, and he doesn't feed from Momma anymore. 8 is the norm, but now I just get extra time to bond with the baby. Thank you! Nicky will love that you think he's handsome- he loves getting compliments! (Reply to this)(Parent) (Thread) becky_h 2004-12-18 17:29 (link) NO! It has nothing to do with when the dog is eating solid food. It has to do with the socialization skills the mother and siblings teach each other. Like not biting, how to have 'dog' manners, and how to play and be a DOG. While this puppy will likely do well, it is NOT recommended to pull puppies from their mothers at WEANING. Those extra weeks learning bite inhibition and how to relate to other dogs are IMPORTANT and can seriously hinder a dogs mental and social development.! (Reply to this)(Parent) (Thread) mintbritchick 2004-12-18 19:08 (link) Why the hell are you yelling at me? (Reply to this)(Parent) (Thread) becky_h 2004-12-18 19:15 (link) I'm not actually yelling, I am using exclamation points as they were intended, to point out excitement and emphasis. I am posting this here lest some less than educated person believe that the only thing a puppy gains from his siblings and mother is nutrition and that once eating solid food it is perfectly reasonable to take him away and into his new home and that there will be no lasting impact. (Reply to this)(Parent) (Thread) mintbritchick 2004-12-18 19:24 (link) Well, I, personally, am NOT that less educated person you are referring to. I had a lot of doubts and qualms about bringing Charlie home at 5 weeks. I read all the articles I could find, especially information regarding his specific breed. I also talked to many people -mostly friends with other Schnauzers and a few actual breeders- before I made my decision to take his owner's advice. I decided, once all the information was in my hands, and including his current living situation as opposed to the home I was bringing him in to, that 5 weeks was more ideal for he and I than 8 weeks would have been. If you wanted to post a warning to the uneducated dog owner, you should have made an actual POST in the community, and not tried to lecture me on a decision that has, very obviously, already been made. (Reply to this)(Parent) (Thread) becky_h 2004-12-18 19:50 (link) I didn't lecture you. I did however point out that you showed no signs of having full information. That you had that information and decided to bring him home anyway-- you're right. You're not uneducated. You're irresponsible and frankly I have no apologies or qualms about my reply to you. It was not rude, or any anyway aggressive. It was simple statement of information and fact. I'm sorry if you've decided that you need to be offended, but frankly I'm not sorry about a damn thing I had to say. You did this puppy a disservice and your breeder is a moron for allowing him to go home that young, which clearly indicates you didn't buy from a responsible breeder and are contributing your money to support their breeding practices. (Reply to this)(Parent) (Thread) mintbritchick 2004-12-18 20:05 (link) Who are you to tell me that I am irresponsible? Are you a vet? No. You are just a pet owner, the same as I am. You have no right to attack me about my decisions regarding my dogs. You don't know me, Charlie, or my breeder - who is NOT a moron and nor is she irresponsible. It happens when you put things on the internet that other people do that. As for how you got here, don't attempt to insult my intelligence. I am already aware that you belong to other dog groups. You have NO right to say any of the rude and incorrect comments you posted above. (Reply to this)(Parent) (Thread) meankitten 2004-12-18 20:11 (link) Well, you say he was from a breeder so I assume you paid for him. You do realize Florida is a Puppy Lemon Law state, right? It is illegal to sell a puppy before eight weeks of age, and without a veterinary health certificate, neither of which applied to you. Prosecution can result in hefty fines and even jail time. Your breeder is breaking the law. (Reply to this)(Parent) cforrester 2004-12-18 22:29 (link) "Who are you to tell me that I'm supposed to breathe? Are you God? No. You're just a human, the same as I am. You have no right to tell me what my body needs to do." Just because someone is a pet owner and you're a pet owner does not mean that the person does not know more than you. (Reply to this)(Parent) silverblaidd 2004-12-18 22:35 (link) How about this... I'm a not "just a pet owner, the same as [you]." As far as rights go, this is the internet. Free Speech capital of the world. And now, I'm going to tell you, from a trainer's point of view, from a behaviorist's point of view and from a rescuer's point of view... Removing any animal from it's mother and litter at too young of an age is a mistake. The time spent with mothers and siblings is detrimental to the puppy's learning and development both now and later in life. If it wasn't so important, pups in the wild wouldn't be hanging around past the time when they learn to eat solid food. The first three months of a puppy's life are the most important, especially for socialization. Dogs need to be socialized not only with people, but with other dogs. It's a fact, and it really is that simple. So, yes, a breeder who is willing to part with pups before they're even eight weeks old is irresponsible. And, in my opinion, a moron. May not be what you want to hear, but it's the truth. Take it or leave it. (Reply to this)(Parent) meankitten 2004-12-18 20:06 (link) Did you pay for him or was he free? (Reply to this)(Parent) (Thread) mintbritchick 2004-12-18 20:12 (link) I bought Charlie from a breeder. (Reply to this)(Parent) mintbritchick 2004-12-18 19:34 (link) How did you get here, anyway? You aren't a member of this group, and it isn't on your watch list. What are you even doing here? (Reply to this)(Parent) (Thread) becky_h 2004-12-18 19:52 (link) I have dogs. I belong to other dog groups and one was linked to this community. I read it. It happens when you put things on the internet that other people do that. Read I mean. Not, of course, that it is any of your busniess, as it has open posting and there's no need for me to become a member. (Reply to this)(Parent)