Bringing puppy home: what would you do?

[sdkath]

Hi there,

New here and I already appreciate all of the friendly advice and welcomes from this board! I am so glad I found you all...

We are getting a maltese little pup girl in the next few weeks. She is in IL so we are flying out to get her. The trouble is the timing. She's 11 weeks old and according to the breeder she will be safe to go home next week. DH and I can fly out and get her next weekend but the trouble is that we have a week long cruise coming up for Thanksgiving week (Nov 21-18th). We will be gone for that week and the pup would be left in the care of our wonderful neighbors who have agreed to take care of our other dog too.

The breeder kindly agreed to keep Ginger until we return so we can pick her up after the 28th of Nov. I don't mind doing that either but I guess I am concerned about her being older and not getting as much attention from the breeder during the next month than from us, her future family.

I am reading this wonderful book about raising puppies and they all say that this is a critical time in pup development and I want everything to go ok for her. I know this breeder well and I know she does a good job with the pups, but still, it's not the same as Ginger being in her new home and being loved and cared for by us.

So what would you do? Would you go get her now and then hope the week goes ok without us when we are gone? Or would you just leave her with her breeder and other puppy sister until late November, when she'll be about 16 weeks old?

Thanks in advance!

Katherine

[Punky]

Greetng's and nice to meet you! I'm in IL myself glad you got great advise on all the stuff that you need saves money buying what you need first time around, then extra is for all fun stuff!

If was me I would pick her up ASAP and let her be babied at your friends home while your gone :) I just got my other little boy a couple months ago and glad I did to me not wanting to have to housebreak up here with the cold. I like my pups to pottie outside not inside so to me was more fair on both pup and me.

I think you will do great on any choice mine would be friend of course to have her spoiled to pieces not to mention all warm and snuggley.

Also might check into this as when I was looking at other pups for around this time would not work as shipping from temps was a limt they said of 40 degree's BUT this was right after the airlines had that big puppy lose at O'Hare.

Oh we are flyng to Maine for the day on Saturday to get a pup so will let you know about how the airline was

Glad your here and best advise I have is love her to bits and lots of kisses!

[bellaratamalt]

Hi there,

New here and I already appreciate all of the friendly advice and welcomes from this board! I am so glad I found you all...

We are getting a maltese little pup girl in the next few weeks. She is in IL so we are flying out to get her. The trouble is the timing. She's 11 weeks old and according to the breeder she will be safe to go home next week. DH and I can fly out and get her next weekend but the trouble is that we have a week long cruise coming up for Thanksgiving week (Nov 21-18th). We will be gone for that week and the pup would be left in the care of our wonderful neighbors who have agreed to take care of our other dog too.

The breeder kindly agreed to keep Ginger until we return so we can pick her up after the 28th of Nov. I don't mind doing that either but I guess I am concerned about her being older and not getting as much attention from the breeder during the next month than from us, her future family.

I am reading this wonderful book about raising puppies and they all say that this is a critical time in pup development and I want everything to go ok for her. I know this breeder well and I know she does a good job with the pups, but still, it's not the same as Ginger being in her new home and being loved and cared for by us.

So what would you do? Would you go get her now and then hope the week goes ok without us when we are gone? Or would you just leave her with her breeder and other puppy sister until late November, when she'll be about 16 weeks old?

Thanks in advance!

Katherine

Personally, i would have the breeder hold on to her, although I know that is sooo hard to wait!

My reasons are this - she is used to a 'routine' at your breeders house. She will go to your house and get used to another routine, then will have to go to your neighbors. Depending on the puppy's temperament, this could be very scary for her. But if she is out going and 'bomb proof' it might not be too bad.

Also from a vaccination standpoint, she will not have completed her vaccinations and taking her to your neighbors could add to the risk of parvo, esp if she is let outside.

You also have to think -

While on your cruise, will you worry about her more if she is with your neighbor or if she is still with the breeder? Think about your enjoyment! You dont' want to spend the whole time stressing about her!

really though, there is no right or wrong answer here. A lot depends on your puppy's temperament. Does your breeder have a lot of litters right now? Having her littermate there is also good, they learn bite inhibition from their siblings.

Do you have any pics of her? Would love to see her!

[2morkies]

Even though your neighbors may take great care of her, I would have the breeder hold her until you can get her. The first few weeks in a new home are so important and you want to be there for her when she comes home...not your neighbors. She already knows the breeder so it's not like she'll bond more with her. I would for sure have the breeder hold on to her until you can give her your full attention in her new forever home. :)

[JesBred]

I have to agree. I don't think a few extra weeks at the breeders is going to affect anything. She is already used to the breeder and her routine there. If you leave her at the breeders then go pick her up she will only have to transition ONCE, rather than two or three times if she stays with the neighbors, which will probably be alot easier on her. Puppies need a routine and if you keep changing its just going make training harder on the both of you.

So my advice would be to enjoy your cruise and when you get back then you can enjoy Ginger!!

I got my Mitzy at 4 months old and she is ATTACHED to my hip :tongue: I don't even go to the bathroom without her at my heels :)

[sdkath]

Thanks for the advice. We decided to have the breeder hang on to her until we get back. I think you all are right -- we'll have a more carefree vacation that way and can spend more time with Ginger when we get back, hopefully renewed from our week long cruise!

As always, thanks for the advice! Katherine

[Eklectic]

Thanks for the advice. We decided to have the breeder hang on to her until we get back. I think you all are right -- we'll have a more carefree vacation that way and can spend more time with Ginger when we get back, hopefully renewed from our week long cruise!

As always, thanks for the advice! Katherine

That is definitely the best way to handle your situation! Less stress on all of you and that way your puppy will bond with you and not the neighbor!
BTW Congratulations on the new baby!

[Morkie4]

Thanks for the advice. We decided to have the breeder hang on to her until we get back. I think you all are right -- we'll have a more carefree vacation that way and can spend more time with Ginger when we get back, hopefully renewed from our week long cruise!

As always, thanks for the advice! Katherine

Sounds like a plan! :) :)

[CinttisLuke]

Glad that you made a decision that it's good for your family!:wink5:


I can't wait to see your baby pictures!!!!!!

[Emma's Mama]

I think that you made the right decision for you and your new baby - can't wait to see pics when she gets home, though!

[sdkath]

Thank you! We are so excited to get her. I now have a countdown clock for my cruise AND a countdown clock for my baby Ginger too! :hearter:

Looks like she will be arriving the Friday after we get back, so Dec 3rd!

I will post pix as soon as I possibly can...

Katherine

[BowBizDogBows]

First off, welcome to MT Katherine! :)

Congratulations on your new baby arriving... that IS very exciting! Have fun on your cruise - and be sure to post pics of Ginger on Dec 3rd! :D