Question:
Three days ago I brought home an 8 week old weaned Scottish Terrier pup. He was the runt of the litter (not smaller than the rest by much) but he was also the most playful, active and feisty of all of them. I bought him from a very loving breeder who was supplementing him twice a day with boiled chicken and rice and he ate the first night I brought him home. He has not eaten since then but is drinking plenty of water. I took him to my vet yesterday and she says he's healthy but she thinks he may be missing his siblings and have been too young to be separated from his brothers and sisters and he needs to go back for a week or two. If that is what is best for him I have no problem doing that. I would like to know what you think is the best age to separate a pup from its brothers and sisters?

Answer:
8 weeks is the minimum, but if you can go up to 10 or 12, even better!

Answer:
I brought my dog home at 8 weeks exactly, and he was fine. No crying the first night or anything!

For a runt it might be different. If you can, return the pup for a few weeks. You can still visit it, to. These weeks might make all the difference to make a happy, healthy, well adjusted dog.

Answer:
I would say 10-12 weeks is better then anything less.
The socialization is critical at that age, as is the feeding from mama to establish a healthy immune system.

Answer:
What are you feeding him, besides the chicken and rice (which is far from being adequate)? He should be eating 3 or 4 times a day.

Answer:
Originally Posted by Luba
I would say 10-12 weeks is better then anything less.
The socialization is critical at that age, as is the feeding from mama to establish a healthy immune system.

Mom has usually weaned her pup's by 8 weeks of age. (Think of those budding, needle sharp puppy teeth.) The optimum immunity comes from the mothers colostrum or "first milk" which the mother has for only the first few day's after whelping.

And what if the litter mates have already gone to their new homes also?

If you decide to keep your puppy home you can try a small stuffed animal, (with chew proof eyes & nose) as a comfort for the wee one. Add ton's of attention and plenty of sleep and I'm will to bet your pup will eat like it has two rear ends.

Answer:
The breeder gave me a bag of food of the type he was eating at her house, which is Avo Derm (as well as the supplement of chicken and rice). Avo Derm is all natural and as Scotties inherently have problems with staph skin problems (I have a full grown Scotty) they are to be kept away from any food with wheat or corn in it because it makes skin problems crop up. Believe me I checked out the skin on her adult male and female because I've had a lot of problems with my Scotty. Her dogs both had beautiful skin, coat and teeth. I've spoken to the breeder since I posted the message and she said she would be happy to take the puppy back for as long as I need to make sure that when he does go home with me again, he's more well adjusted. To Karin: thank you so much for your message. I've tried the stuffed bear and the cuddling and lots of attention but it's not working. I think the little guy misses his brothers and sisters - four of which are still with the breeder as of now. I'll take him back tonight and call every day like a good mommie and try again in a week or two. The only thing I'm concerned about is he still going to bond with me at 10 weeks of age versus 8 weeks of age? The puppy wants to play so badly with my full grown Scotty but she won't have anything to do with him and he isn't eating and seems depressed so I want to do the best thing for him.

Answer:
My g/f breeds newfs and the mothers nurse the pups to 10 week sometimes 11 but by 9 weeks they are on mothers milk plus puppy food.

Now my other friend who breeds cockers say they nurse to 7/8 weeks then add some puppy food but are fully weaned by 10 weeks.

So there u have it, different for different breeders/breeds.



Answer:
Dogs can bond deeply with you at 10 YEARS old. I wouldn't worry about that!

Answer:
I brought my pup home three days ago at 7 weeks..He's a lab mix..hmm...

Answer:
8 weeks is the norm....Some places it is ilegal for them to leave younger than this.I know many breeders that place their pups at this age,and they have grown up with no issues...I also know breeders of small breeds who wait till they are 10-12 weeks of age...So yes,it varies from breeder to breeder.

LR is so right about the chicken and rice not being adequate enough.I hope this isn't all that the puppy is getting.

Pups do miss their siblings.Just so you know,even at 10 weeks or 12 weeks,they will still miss their siblings.I got my previous GSD at 12 weeks,all siblings where gone at the same time.When I got him home,he still missed them.Even my 2 I have now where the same way..

I just wanted to make a point that it doesn't matter if they are 8 weeks or 12 weeks,it's still going to happen.....

Answer:
I will probably get a lot of flak for this, but keep in mind I have always had a small housedog. Every one of my puppies (I've had 4 over the last 40 or so years) I've let sleep with me. The very 1st night, each one has snuggled up against my neck and slept contentedly through the night. No crying; no problem bonding.

Answer:
Puppies have always slept with me as well

Answer:
I have always said, "allowing a puppy share your bed is a bad habit to start, for many reason's!"







Funny, I forgot all the reasons on May 8th, 1999, when I brought my uber goober home.

Answer:
Happiness IS a warm puppy! "Uber Goober"? Punky Pie

Answer:
Great big wet nose kisses! ahhhh

Answer:
Snuggle bunnies, cuddle bunnies.

Then we play..."fleas gunna get yuooooo..." and I tickle her..











Oops, thinking out loud again.

Answer:
ROTFLMFAO @ Karin.


To funny.....

Answer: