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Is 6 weeks too young for a puppy to leave its mom and come home?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

The breeder that I'm purchasing a puppy from wants the puppies to go to their new homes a 6 weeks old. I've always heard that 8 weeks old is more ideal. Is it okay to take the puppy home at 6 weeks old?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Daniel Fonza, DVM

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 7th, 2019

I typically try to encourage breeders to adopt out around 7-8 weeks of age. It comes down to socialization and being around the mom as long as possible. Socialization has been known to begin between 3-6 weeks and if you take the puppy away from the littermates too early, then this benefit of socialization could be harmed. I would encourage the breeder to hold on to the puppy for another 1-2 weeks longer than normal. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 1st, 2020

    Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Puppies should be together and with the mum for a bit longer as this is the time when they learn social skills. If all of his litter-mates are gone, you can take your puppy home as well. Physically, he is ok to be weaned.
    Your puppy will need to be seen by the vet at the age of about 7 weeks to get his first vaccination and to be de-wormed. He will have to be de-wormed a few times more as a puppy
    Until he is about 13-15 weeks old (depending on the vaccination program) he should not go out and meet other dogs.
    Please, keep him on the same food that he is at the breeder. You can expect diarrhoea for a few days once you take him from the breeder but the symptoms should be only mild.
    Good luck !

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 7th, 2020

    Hello. Ideally, a puppy should remain with its mother & siblings until 8-12 weeks to learn proper puppy behavior, but this is often not possible. Many puppies that are adopted early do just fine, so it might be best to get your puppy out of a potentially hazardous environment. You can bring your pup for "playdays" with its siblings for several weeks until the other pups are placed with new homes. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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