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Getting a pup at 15-16 weeks

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  • 25-01-2011 11:30am
    #1
    kildaremum
    Registered Users Posts: 212 ✭✭


    My brother is thinking of getting a pup aged 15-16 weeks. Seller still has four of the litter (Bichons - non reg). Although they say they have been around children I think they have been out in the shed most of the time. We have been checking on net and this issue of socialisation before 16 weeks comes up a bit. He has no small kids and he and partner will give it lost of time and training. I'm saying they should get a younger one but he's saying what about rescue dogs that had been neglected and turn out fine. Anyone any advice.


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    #2
    Zapperzy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,524 ✭✭✭Zapperzy


    To be honest Id be more worried about the fact that you think they have been out in the shed and that they are non-reg, you have to ask yourself why they are non-reg, was the mother too young to be bred or has she been bred from too many times.
    And if they've been kept out in a shed they most likely will be nervous and under socialised, they will not have known all the normal household sounds that you take for granted, like the washing machine, doorbell, people coming and going. If they had been kept in the house until they are 15-16 weeks old they would be socialised with normal household sounds at least, but since they've been kept in the shed for this length Id walk away, especially since their non-reg.


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    #3
    cjf
    Registered Users Posts: 294 ✭✭cjf


    Apart from all of that if your brother gives his money for this dog he will encourage the breeder to breed more and more pups in this cruel and wrong way. If your thoughts are right and these dogs have not had the proper socialisation they very well may develop issues as they grow up. You should also consider the possible health risks these pups may have and your brother could end up with massive vet bills.

    Rescue dogs are temperment tested by the shelter or organisation they are being kept in and so if a dog has major aggression issues or other extreme issues that the rescue organisation do not think can be fixed they will make the decision not to put that dog up for adoption. Your brother may think that despite bad starts the rescue dogs turn out fine but in truth so so many of them are put to sleep because the psychological, emotional and often physical damage done to them by cruel and ignorant people is irreversible.

    I would strongly advise that you either buy a puppy from a reputable breeder or consider homing one of the thousands of unwanted puppies currently available.


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    #4
    shell10
    Registered Users Posts: 69 ✭✭shell10


    15-16 weeks isnt a very old puppy expecially for toy dogs lik that . bigger dogs seem to become more dominant and i would highly recommend gettin a bigger dog as young as possible as we got my boxer when he was 5 months and hes now near,ly two an weve tried and tried and still hes not properly trained ! toy dogs are very easy to train! my maltese was trained in a about a week ... if they have the time to be dedicated i dont see why not gettin one this age!


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    #5
    melindaregner
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭melindaregner


    just give them TLC(Tender Loving Care)..
    That's all. :)


    papillon


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    #6
    es2003
    Registered Users Posts: 31 ✭es2003


    I would be wary, our great dane was raised in a shed/kennel outside the house. It looked like a good set up at the time and of course the pups were oh so cute. She has a very nervous temperment now with new people. Socialisition plays a huge part in the puppy's developement I don't know if I would risk it, if it were me I would definitely would run from this breeder.
    The non reg thing as well, how do they know if they're improving the breed without having their dogs evaluated by a non biased third party? (a judge)
    And if they don't show I doubt they know about health tests(this is more then just a check up at the vets). Bichons are very prone to patella problems but you can have the parents tested beforehand to up your chances of a healthy pup. My friend has a bichon who had to get an operation on his knees. I can assure you it probably was not cheap either!


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    #7
    sambuka41
    Registered Users Posts: 1,083 ✭✭✭sambuka41


    I got my pup at 14 weeks and she has bad separation anxiety as well as being a very nervous dog in general. I dont know how much of that is her personality and how much came from the fact that she was also kept in a shed. The vets think that the age we got her def plays a part in her anxiety. It's taken us nearly a year to get her to relax and build up some confidence. ;)


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