I will be getting a corgi puppy soon, they were born at the beginning of the month.

The breeder said she sends puppies home between 10 and 15 weeks. I am not certain but I believe the latter would be to further test personality and conformation as breeder plans to keep one or two from the litter.

Anyhow, I was talking to my boss (she is a behaviorist and does positive reinforcement training) and she said I should try to get the puppy at 8 weeks, or even sooner. She has seen a lot of puppies with modification issues lately (from breeders even) and suggests this to make sure puppy is properly socialized. That time period, 8-12 weeks, is very important.

I know it's great if puppy can stay as long as possible with mom and siblings for socialization and bite inhibition. I get to meet puppies at 6 weeks. I really like this breeder so far, but am worried if puppies are getting enough positive socialization. I am simply worried because I'm a worrier though, and this is my first puppy. I have met and worked with quite a few troublesome puppies, a lot of them need constant work and behavior modification for the rest of their lives. I don't want my puppy to be like this, as my current dog has issues that limit what I can do with him.


So anyhow, I was wondering what you all thought from experience??

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This is breeder is very nice so far, I'm sure if I wanted my puppy around 10 weeks she would be willing to do that. I met a couple last summer who had gotten a 6 month female from them, I guess she hadn't matured out to what they had wanted in the ring and so had found her a good home.

That would be in line with one of Beth's comments and is usually a good deal.

Young minds are like sponges. I would definitely prefer a puppy under 15 weeks of age. That said, I have no experience with Corgis, except for our much-loved Izzy that we brought home at 10 weeks of age.  

We have had several non-Corgi puppies as young as five weeks (which is not a very good idea, partly due to immunizations).  If the breeder has a well-socialized setting, which includes many people, it actually might be an advantage, to leave Pup there a little longer?  Our Izzy was very well socialized,  being in an incredibly busy household packed with many children and adults.  If the breeder has dogs more-or-less "locked away" from real life (via kennel, or no "outside contacts"), then the breeder is not doing her puppies, or buyers, a favor. 

One-size-fits-all doesn't apply to puppies, or any other young animal.   We have also dealt with much older pups (not Corgis). If the temperament  is there, the outcome should still be good.  Personally, I think 15 weeks to "re home" is a little too long, given how rapidly these young brains soak up information. But it does depend on the environments of both seller, and buyer. 

Thanks for the info on your experiences! I do believe this breeder is good with socialization. I've met a few of her corgis, including the father of this litter. They were all very well mannered and behaved, and not afraid to come up an greet a perfect stranger and get pets! I am just so excited to begin training and get into a routine, I don't think I could wait for 15 weeks!

I have had two puppies at over 3 months, Izzy and my Standard Poodle. The Poodle was a very well adjusted, and friendly dog for 18 years and Izzy is very friendly and well adjusted as well. It probably depends more on the socialization that the breeder does. Some see many different experiences as a priority and some don't. Also, I am guessing that the tempermant in their line is also a very important factor. Yet another reason to buy from a good breeder! I got my previous corgis at 6 weeks and I think that was too young, one was JAWS for several months and the other was quite fearful  her whole life.

I agree with you Bev and,  come to think of it, my idea that 10 wks is the best age to get a puppy assumes that the person getting the puppy has the time and willingness to do all that is required to raise a well adjusted puppy.  If a puppy, for example,  is going to be in a home where it's mostly confined to a crate all day because no one is there, then that puppy would be better off in the hands of a good the breeder. There are indeed too many variable to make hard and fast rules.  

We do know, however, that pups are generally best to stay with littermates until 7 wks of age and that socialization to strange people and different environments is a window that progressively closes as it approaches the 16 wk. mark, if little or no socialization occurs during that time.

I have met the father and a few other corgis from this breeder, so I am comfortable that they will have a nice base temperament. I suppose that is what went "wrong" for the puppies that I have met that have behaviours that do not fit an 8 week puppy! Plus bad breeders, and I am certain that my breeder is very good. I have done my research and talked to quite a few people who know them.

The father was very friendly, and not at all shy to come up and get pets from me (a complete stranger) and we were at a very busy dog show, ringside! :) I don't know much about dog shows and the sort, but I felt that if a dog can be friendly and comfortable with all the chaos going on around him, then he/she is a good dog!
I haven't yet met the mother of the litter, but the breeder said she is a classic high energy, super friendly corgi on the smaller side. They were hoping to get a happy medium by breeding the tornado corgi with an "eeyore" type.

We got ours at 10 weeks, that is the club requirement and most breeders want their puppies to get proper socialization with their mother/littermates at a young age as you won't really be able to socialize them with other dogs too much in the beginning, especially before he gets all the required shots.

A good breeder will spend plenty of time with the pups and make sure they play and socialize with each other as well as humans.  If you know that your breeder is good and you trust that she will take good care of your pup for the first 10 weeks of his life, you should trust that she will do the right thing for another 2-5 weeks, especially if she's planning to keep a puppy or two but doesn't know which one(s), she will want to make sure that they're all well behaved and healthy dogs.

We were lucky enough to have our puppy crate and leash trained by the breeder and he understands the concept of only going potty outside but sometimes can't hold it and has accidents.  It's also obvious that she spent a lot of time with him because he loves human attention and already knew basic commands (no, off, etc.)

I wish you the best of luck and don't worry too much, I know I did and at the end of the day it all worked out :)

I know my breeder is handling them regularly, and I talked with her about what kind of socialization they get (kids, cats, other dogs, people, etc). The only thing is, her life does not mimic mine in that I will be taking my dog to different places than that which she may socialize for. For instance, I plan on taking my puppy to work with me (I work at a facility that offers training, day camp, boarding, and grooming) so puppy will have to get used to working for many other people, and around other dogs and distractions. I also go to the barn where my horse is boarded very regularly, and expect to take my puppy there and eventually allow him some freedoms once he earns them. These are some things the breeder would not think to socialize for, and that I will need to do when I get the puppy.

Those are some of the things I worry about, especially if I get my puppy on the latter end of 10-15 weeks.

I would maybe tell the breeder that you need to socialize to horses and so would really prefer a pup she is ready to release at 10 weeks. That should not make her feel you are questioning her judgement. :-)

Grace...all my Corgi go to work with me and Sage grew up coming to work with me(she is my own pup). I believe as long as pups get the basics...they can adjust well. Sage was quite young when she started going to work with me because we took off and went to classes every Tuesday during work. My others also occasionally went to work with me and did just fine. All of mine are fine being left with others.

After your pup has all the shots then it shouldn't be a problem as long as he/she doesn't get frightened. I would consider having a crate there to be able to give your pup some much needed nap/break time if you plan on doing this when the pup is young.

All my pups were 8 weeks old when I got them and they did fine...granted they are all over 6.

I have found that many Corgis who live with their breeders til the end of the socialization window are good with dogs corgi-sized and below, but not big dogs. That tells me that perhaps most breeders socialize with PEOPLE and dogs in their yard, but not with strange dogs.

That may or may not be important to you. But if a puppy is not exposed to big dogs before the window closes, they may be a bit pushy with them or afraid of them for the entire time you have the dog.

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