There are different opinions, as well as a variety of factors, that influence the answer to this question. However, most veterinarians and breeders would put the optimum age to bring home a puppy somewhere between 8-to-10 weeks old.
Dog breeders and behavioral specialists feel that the 8-12 week range is the adequate age for most dogs to leave their mother for their new homes.
10 weeks is also considered a developmentally appropriate age for a pup to go to his new home. Developmentally speaking, roughly any time during his 8-10 week window is considered the perfect time for a pup to join his new pack as he is still in this critical fear period that makes him very impressionable.
Puppies can go to their new homes from 8 weeks, but holding on a little longer and letting them go around 12 weeks can be really beneficial, as their development and socialising will be a lot more established by that point. Those few extra weeks can make a big difference.
A puppy should be at least 8 to 14 weeks old before being adopted. You can adopt puppies aged older than 14 weeks, although they may need more guidance at first.
Between 12-16 weeks of age, your puppy will begin to look a little bit less like a baby puppy and a little more like a miniature version of the dog she will become. She will likely grow rapidly from four to six months of age. By six months of age, your puppy will be closer to her future adult size.
In terms of whether or not 13 weeks is too late - that very much depends on what the breeder has done with the puppies in the last few weeks. If they've been exposed to all the same situations as you would expose them too then the extra time is unlikely to cause an issue.
Frankly, there's just no one size fits all answer, it depends on your dog's age, breed, and overall personality. Young puppies under 6 months old should not be left alone for more than 2 or 3 hours because of their bladder control and risk of separation anxiety.
They learn social skills, and are ready for consistent human interaction. By the start of their second month of life, puppies are developing emotions. And at 6-8 weeks old, they start forming attachments to humans. At this point, they can be separated from their mother and go to their new home.
When to Start Walking Your Puppy. You can start walking your puppy after one to two weeks of them being fully vaccinated. This is usually around the 8-week mark. However, make sure you keep a strict eye on them and ask your vet to confirm when they're allowed out on a walk.
Puppy difficulty at ages 2-3 months
A smaller percentage of owners voted 8-12 weeks as the toughest age.
10-12 Weeks Old
At this point, you will begin to expand on your pup's commands, socialization, and impulse control. Introduce more basic obedience commands such as Place, Down, and Heel inside the home, still using food rewards.
Research has found that puppies who are separated from the litter too early are more likely to show fear, aggression, anxiety, resource guarding, reactivity and inappropriate play biting than puppies who stay with the litter for at least eight weeks.
Young puppies under six months shouldn't really be left alone for more than two hours.
Some puppies can sleep through the night by 12 weeks old, but it could take longer for them to hold their bladders for 6-8 hours through the night.
Typically, dogs between 7-16 weeks can sleep 6-8 hours, but they still need to take a potty break at night. So if your dog wakes up at night, it means it needs to pee. Do not play or pay attention to it during this time.
Stage 5: Adolescence (6 – 18 months) This can be the most difficult time during a puppy's development – adolescence. Your cute little puppy is becoming a teenager and will start producing hormones which may result in changes in behaviour.
Bonding Occurs Naturally
It's okay when dogs choose a favorite person. In fact, it's natural! As social animals, dogs choose the person or people who give them plenty of love, attention, and positive experiences.
Littermate syndrome is an unscientific term that describes unwanted behaviors among sibling dogs, including aggression and intense attachment. The phrase is often used to describe behavioral issues that occur when two or more dogs from the same litter are raised together and adopted into the same home.
Create a Safe Confinement Area
Crate training is a great way to keep older puppies safely sequestered while you're at work. (Tip: You can help your puppy build positive associations with the crate by leaving the door open and putting tasty chew treats inside.)
Unlike the crate where you can't leave a young puppy for long periods; the puppy will be fine in the playpen and you can go out for longer periods. Just make sure your dog is ready before you leave for a long period so the puppy does not feel left alone form the start and associate that with the playpen itself.
Crate training is necessary for when your canine is a puppy—sleeping in a crate at night teaches puppies how to control their bladder and bowels since they don't like to relieve themselves in the same space that they sleep. Kennels are also excellent for the times that no one can be home to supervise your new puppy.
In general, however, the best age to adopt a puppy is eight to ten weeks. This will give your puppy plenty of time to work through the developmental stages that take place while the puppy is still with its mother.
However, many experts agree that the best time to socialize a dog is before they reach six months old. This is because puppies are more open to new experiences and learning during this stage of their lives. After six months, dogs can still be socialized, but it may take more effort and patience on your part.