How early to take lab pup home

[Duckslayer89]

How early is the earliest to bring them home?

[jackelope]

I think 8 weeks is the standard.

[callturner]

42 days, 6 weeks.

[ghosthunter]

Ok this

But 8 weeks is better in my opinion.
Because the breeder can switch them to solid food for you.


3 and 6 weeks
Labrador puppies should be weaned between 3 and 6 weeks. It is a process that begins with introducing puppies to a warm canine replacement milk and puppy mash at 3 weeks and then slowly reducing how much time they spend with mom to eat. Puppies should be eating dry puppy dog food by 6 weeks old.

[Duckslayer89]

Ok this

But 8 weeks is better in my opinion.
Because the breeder can switch them to solid food for you.


3 and 6 weeks
Labrador puppies should be weaned between 3 and 6 weeks. It is a process that begins with introducing puppies to a warm canine replacement milk and puppy mash at 3 weeks and then slowly reducing how much time they spend with mom to eat. Puppies should be eating dry puppy dog food by 6 weeks old.

She says they are already on dry puppy food and they have been for a while. I heard something about time with litter mates is important but I’ve heard 6 weeks is ok but some say 8

[HillHound]

In my experience the longer time they have with the litter the more understanding and respect they get for their bite. It seems like the dogs I have had and been around that were separated earlier had more of a tendency to playfully bite. Longer with their brothers and sisters they realize the pain they can inflict and the pain that comes back on them when bitten. But I’m sure this can all be taught By you, just a little less pain letting the other puppies learn together. My brother actually used to hold his puppies down and bite them back if they bit him. He doesn’t have a dog that bites now so I guess I can’t argue with the method

[KP-Skagit]

Wolters says in Waterdog that 49 days is the best. I am not sure it matters a ton but that's what my dad and I have always done. Its worked.

Theory presented in the book is at 7 weeks the pecking order in the litter has not been established so you get a blank slate. No bullies and bullied.

[Duckslayer89]

Sweet thanks for all the advice guys much appreciated. I’m just getting antsy and want him home as soon as possible but responsible as well lol

[tank21]

 

Wolters says in Waterdog that 49 days is the best. I am not sure it matters a ton but that's what my dad and I have always done. Its worked.

Theory presented in the book is at 7 weeks the pecking order in the litter has not been established so you get a blank slate. No bullies and bullied.

 

[JBG]

8-10 weeks is what the last few professional trainers/breeders would let me take a pup home.  I have taken some home at 7 weeks but it is just more work.  At 8 weeks minimum they've gotten all the worm treatments and 1-2 vax. 

Also get your dog on a good training program.  Anything by Bill Hillman or the Smartworks series.  Actually anything by anyone other than Wolters. 

[Fl0und3rz]

Conflicting advice on Wolters versus others.  At the risk of threadkjacking, please be more clear on your preferences and why for noobs, like me.

[vandeman17]

I have always lived by the 8 week rule of thumb. There are exceptions but for the most part, 8 weeks is safe.

[JBG]

Wolters at his core was a writer.  He was not a dog trainer who decided to write a book about the years of expertise he had gained.  His books water dog came out in the early 1960's and much has changed in the way professionals train dogs.  In his books he doesn't cover ecollar conditioning or force fetch which are modern tools and building blocks for retrievers today.  If a person follows one of the more modern programs they can take their dog way farther than they could if they just followed Wolters program.  I am saying this as someone who as a teenager trained two labs following Wolters.  They were fine dogs but once I started using Smartworks my eyes were opened (written by a 2x or 3x Field Trial winner).  Many of these authors are active on internet forums or available by phone for consultation if you have issues during your training.  The differece in methods and technology used would be like someone saying "I want to type a letter" you could hand them a type writer or an internet connected computer.  The job would get done but one can go much further with greater ease using the computer than the type writer. 

[BD1]

My dog's breeder required 8 weeks unless you wanted to wait and pay boarding fees. It has been perfect for me. 

[Fl0und3rz]

Wolters at his core was a writer.  He was not a dog trainer who decided to write a book about the years of expertise he had gained.  His books water dog came out in the early 1960's and much has changed in the way professionals train dogs.  In his books he doesn't cover ecollar conditioning or force fetch which are modern tools and building blocks for retrievers today.  If a person follows one of the more modern programs they can take their dog way farther than they could if they just followed Wolters program.  I am saying this as someone who as a teenager trained two labs following Wolters.  They were fine dogs but once I started using Smartworks my eyes were opened (written by a 2x or 3x Field Trial winner).  Many of these authors are active on internet forums or available by phone for consultation if you have issues during your training.  The differece in methods and technology used would be like someone saying "I want to type a letter" you could hand them a type writer or an internet connected computer.  The job would get done but one can go much further with greater ease using the computer than the type writer. 

Ahh.  Thank you.

[Come Get Some]

I have sold many litters. My pups are introduced to a mom supplement as soon as they are on their feet. Usually about 2-1/2-3 weeks. They take to other food options very fast and do well taking some pressure off of mom. I have weaned pups as early as 4weeks. They get their first round of shots usually a 5 way at 6 weeks. They have been wormed several times by now. I have not noticed any difference in the behavior going at 6 weeks vs 8 or more weeks. I work with all of my pups as soon as they can stand, come to a whistle, sit, no jumping up with sharp nails and depending on how well certain pups do I expand on that. By 8 weeks all of my pups willingly stay on their dog bed in the house without ever straying from their spot and most are completely house broken.

[trophyhunt]

I have sold many litters. My pups are introduced to a mom supplement as soon as they are on their feet. Usually about 2-1/2-3 weeks. They take to other food options very fast and do well taking some pressure off of mom. I have weaned pups as early as 4weeks. They get their first round of shots usually a 5 way at 6 weeks. They have been wormed several times by now. I have not noticed any difference in the behavior going at 6 weeks vs 8 or more weeks. I work with all of my pups as soon as they can stand, come to a whistle, sit, no jumping up with sharp nails and depending on how well certain pups do I expand on that. By 8 weeks all of my pups willingly stay on their dog bed in the house without ever straying from their spot and most are completely house broken.

that is a heck of a benefit for the new owners, do you charge extra for that training?  What is the name of your business? 

[Come Get Some]

I do t charge extra. I love having puppies. They are extremely calm and easy to train as well as great hunting dogs. I have pups out at 8-10 weeks retrieving birds.

[Come Get Some]

Very athletic

[Come Get Some]

I usually have all 4 colors in my litters. Chocolate, charcoal, silver and black

[trophyhunt]

I’m a chocolate fan myself, but those silver ones are beautiful. We raised 2 litters of chocolates, lots of work but a blast! What is the name of your business? Curious about prices.

[rainshadow1]

I agree with 8 weeks with the litter mates, I've seen needy puppies, but it's likely not a 100% thing. I require 8 weeks and start them with some manners, then prefer 10 weeks.

[Duckslayer89]

I have sold many litters. My pups are introduced to a mom supplement as soon as they are on their feet. Usually about 2-1/2-3 weeks. They take to other food options very fast and do well taking some pressure off of mom. I have weaned pups as early as 4weeks. They get their first round of shots usually a 5 way at 6 weeks. They have been wormed several times by now. I have not noticed any difference in the behavior going at 6 weeks vs 8 or more weeks. I work with all of my pups as soon as they can stand, come to a whistle, sit, no jumping up with sharp nails and depending on how well certain pups do I expand on that. By 8 weeks all of my pups willingly stay on their dog bed in the house without ever straying from their spot and most are completely house broken.

So do you think 6 weeks old with all vaccines and worming would be acceptable

[highside74]

With no other dogs at home your puppy is best with its littermates and mom until 8 weeks. You are acting like my kids relax. 😁🤣😂

[trophyhunt]

 

[Duckslayer89]

With no other dogs at home your puppy is best with its littermates and mom until 8 weeks. You are acting like my kids relax. 😁🤣😂

Lmao I guarantee I’m worse than your kids when it comes to waiting for anything relating to hunting or dogs

[hollymaster]

Wolters says in Waterdog that 49 days is the best. I am not sure it matters a ton but that's what my dad and I have always done. Its worked.

Theory presented in the book is at 7 weeks the pecking order in the litter has not been established so you get a blank slate. No bullies and bullied.

This

[Come Get Some]

At 6 weeks they have only had their first week of shots which does not include parvo. 6 weeks is fine depending on the breeder, dog and how the litter is cared for. I drop garbage can lids, rustle tarps, clang feeding bowls. Lots of things that help shape their personalities. And I disagree regarding pecking order. As soon as they are mobile and moving well. Certain dogs definately start showing dominance. Sometimes it is the runt who is most dominant even as a female. I watch them carefully and cater to certain pups as differently as you would a whole family of. Children.

[Come Get Some]

The 5 way doesn't have the caronavirus it does have parvo.

[Come Get Some]

I get $3500.00 for silver and Charcoal, $3000.00 for chocolate and $2500.00 for blacks. We have several businesses. JL outdoors does most of the archery, and dogs. We have a honey bee business, commercial construction Company and run a charter/guide business.  They say you can sleep when you are dead.

[Come Get Some]

I get $3500.00 for silver and Charcoal, $3000.00 for chocolate and $2500.00 for blacks. We have several businesses. JL outdoors does most of the archery, and dogs. We have a honey bee business, commercial construction Company and run a charter/guide business.  They say you can sleep when you are dead.

[Come Get Some]

That's mom and a charcoal and silver pup

[2MANY]

Purdy dogs.

[trophyhunt]

Oh my God, what beautiful dogs. 

[Come Get Some]

Here is my 6 month old female this year

[Come Get Some]

There is no substitution for quiet well behaved dogs whether In the blind or around your 95 year old mother. This breeding has been the best I have ever had. I use a couple of studs from Circle B kennel. The studs compliment my females very well. I have females who carry the silver gene. When bred with a charcoal, a black with the silver gene, I get all 4 colors. Very quiet and easy to train. Wonderful pets as well as super great hunting dogs