Usually if people are going to buy puppy from either a Breeder or a Dogs Home, the conventional wisdom states that it is usually roundabout between six to eight weeks before you can take a new puppy home.
This actually is for several rather good reasons not the least the fact that this is the time a puppy would be weaned from its mother anyway but also it would coincide with the responsible authorities making sure that the puppy has all the necessary injections and vaccinations taken care of. It makes bonding much easier because you have immediately replaced the puppy's mother with yourself
Now from time to time that there is an occasional requirement for people to acquire puppies who are slightly older. This is not necessarily a bad thing and indeed in certain cases can be a very thing but you just have to be aware that there are a different set of observations and questions that you will ask.
These dogs may be older than 10 weeks, 12 weeks, or even up to six months and still considered to be puppies. Like making any decision out of the norm, there are pros and cons to bringing home and older puppy.
What are the key questions and considerations you should ask if you are considering getting an older puppy?
One of the biggest benefits of getting an older puppy right off the bat is that their behavior is a lot more calm than a younger pup and the dog has usually been socialized to a small degree when it comes to the day-to-day chaos of living in a house with other people. Their first home has already conditioned them for you.
Watch out for older puppies that may have been neglected. It is important not to be too naive when you are discussing the option of buying an older puppy from someone. Not everybody sells their dogs for positive reasons. Some owners are trying to get rid of them simply because they couldn't take care of the puppy's needs and due to this reason they probably neglected the dog for a long period of time.
The results of this unfortunate living situation could have produced anxiety and stress related disorders to the dog. Because you cannot get all of this information with your first meeting of your potential new puppy, it is important to bring all the members of your family with you to look at the dog. Make sure they all get a chance meet the dog. Look closely at how he interacts with the other members of your family. Does he seem nervous? Do you sense any aggression? Is his approach with confidence or shyness? These are possible signs that the animal has developed some sort of mental condition as a result of the lack of human contact.
And of course, you'll want to ask the owner a few basic questions before making a buying decision. Ask if the dog has had any type of training. Find out firsthand if the puppy displays any behavioral bad habits such as aggression, chewing, or excessive barking. Also, make sure that this is the first and only home the dog has been in. If he has lived elsewhere before the current owner then find out why he was sold. These are just a few of the basic questions you should know to ask. Add more questions to your list for better due diligence.
