Is 12 weeks a bit too old?

angielee001 said:
My puppy was almost 13 weeks old when we took him home and it didn't seem to make a difference. I'd prefer to take a 12 week puppy home over an 8 week old as they may be easier to house train. Some breeders actually work with their puppies on house training so having an older puppy might be to your benefit.
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We brought Sadie home when she was 9 weeks old. Our breeder had started crate training all the pups, which helped immensely. She new she wasn't supposed to potty in the crate and that outside meant potty time. All we had to do was get the timing right and watch for signs. :smile2:

The only draw back to an older puppy is that you may miss out a bit on some of the cuteness of an 8 week old puppy, as they can change a lot physically in a month. But for many its a price worth paying for, if it means a better adjusted and better socialized puppy.
 
Is my sheltie too old

I brought my first sheltie home at 3 years, the next at 6 months, the next at 10 months, my only pup at 10 weeks, and finally my next at 14 months.
They all achieved obediience titles - Shelties are the smartest dogs I know as they are so willing to learn -So in my opinion a 12 week pup will do well in learning whatever you want them to do. Keep in mind that patience and constitancy (sp.) when teaching a pup is very very important.
Good luck, and have lots of fun with your possible new family member that will bring you joy happiness and companionship for a long time.
from Sylvia & my 4 shelties.:smile2:
 
yip older the better...12 weeks is a great age to go to a new home..Congrats and we need to see pictures i love baby pictures :smile2:
 
I think 12 weeks is a great age to bring pup home! While someone pointed out that you miss out on the cute pudgy puppy phase, it goes by so fast anyone that all you really have is the photos!

At 12 weeks, pup should be well socialized and largely house-trained, if the breeder is doing all the right things. Of course, you'll need to meet the dog first and see if there is a "match". Truly!

I got Bacca at 8 weeks, already crate trained by the breeder, Yey! And Indy just joined us 3 weeks ago, and he's 10 months. No problem with him integrating into the family (he's top dog, btw! Poor Bacca!)

Good luck and how exciting!
 
I brought Romeo home at 13 weeks! The more time a pup spends with its mum and littermates, the faster it learns bite inhibition amongst other things!

I also read somewhere that by that time, the "sensitive period" when a pup absorbs the most (and when positive socialisation to all things/people/animals, etc should be done intensively) would have already ended. So just check that the breeder has properly socialised the pup to all sorts of people, sights, sounds, animals etc.
 
I have to agree with everyone else that 12 weeks is a good age. My sheltie came to live with me at the age of 5 years and no problems :smile2:
 
I agree with everyone, I brought Lexi home at 13 weeks and she was absolutely smitten with me and got attached to me quickly. She whined one night for about an hour and after that she was fine. She was also extremely eager to learn. I think 12 weeks is just about perfect :smile2:
 
I got Sophie at 12 weeks and she bonded very well with me. As a matter of fact, I like that she was 12 weeks when I got her. It gave her 4 extra weeks with her litter mates and her mom. The more time a pup spends with the them, the better. At least I think so. I wouldn't worry, you guys will bond just fine.
 
I think 12 weeks is fine since they are still at a very impressionable age. I personally like to take pups home earlier but I just guess that's a personal preference. I don't think it really makes much difference because they'll have to adjust to a new home and lifestyle whatever age you bring them home.
 
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