Weaned to soon NN

Baloo

New member
I am not sure if Milo is going to have issues or not. He is a friendly little love bug, but at the same time is very timid...cowers and lowers his head a lot. He is well socialized but these things happen even when returning to the same place....ie pet store. He was, IMO, removed from his mother too soon, 6 weeks?, and I think that might have a lot to do with it. So I am calling on all experts to assist me...what should I expect as far as issues when a pup is weaned too soon? Both long and short term. Thanks all.
 

Ivoryudx

New member
How old is he now, that he is displaying this sort of behavior? There are different stages of development that they will show signs of fear, lack of confidence, and its just a matter of getting them through it without anything major sticking with them. Hopefully that is what your dealing with at the present.

Of course, each pup is different and I agree, 6 weeks is far to young to be seperated from mom. While I've never done it again, I have to admit that my Ivory, my first Newf, was that age when I got her. Of course I didn't know any better, and fortunately for me, she was a very outgoing pup. I had no idea that was her individual personality, and I had no idea how much she really carried me through those developmental phases. The only thing I know that I did do, was that I took her everywhere with me. I had no giant breed experience, and the only goal was that I knew she was going to be large and I wanted a well behaved girl. So we did obedience class after obedience class, because I was clueless and she loved it. I spent hour after hour sitting outside other classes watching and making her behave but be social. I played with her A LOT, we rolled around on the ground together like littermates, and when I told her it was enough, that was the end of it. She knew no stranger, because even though we lived with a cat, we both were each others best friends. She spoke volumes with her eyes, and it ended up being what got her anything she wanted, as she was always aware of people and things around us.

On the flip side, my girl Lu, who is now 12, went through a phase at about 6 months old where she was afraid of my dining room. It was very tramatic for her, and nothing bad had ever happened to her there, and what made it harder was that is the central room in my house. You have to go through it to get to any other room and she ate about three feet into the kitchen which opens off one side. It was carpeted, so that wasn't the problem, she was just to scared to go through it and when I walked her on a leash she would bolt to the other side to get out of there. It lasted for a week, and it was gone as quick as it came. No explanation except it was just a developmental phase.

So to cut this post short, socialize, socialize, socialize....Its okay if he doesn't know he's a dog, we won't tell him, and don't lower your expectations of him just because he didn't have the extra nurturing from mom/littermates. Of course having that extra time, would have been best, but he can still be normal, or crazy, depending on who he is and how he is exposed to things.
 

AngusMcDubhsMom

New member
Really sound advice from Susan. My Gracie was orphaned at 3 weeks, but is very outgoing, headstrong and incredibly sweet. She at least had her littermates around her, but no adult mom to teach her things. Sometimes things aren't optimal in their background, but I think Susan has it nailed...socialize every chance you get and be calm and confident when he comes up against his fears.
 

ladybugnessa

New member
hannah was weaned and removed from her mother at 6 weeks.

the only thing we can find is that she's a velcro dog that loves to lick people.
 

ardeagold

New member
Most Goldens are pushed away by their Mom at about 5 weeks. They're really not nursing at all anymore. But they are there with Mom for several more weeks, to learn dog etiquette.

I've never had a Newf litter, but I'd think that by six weeks, they're not really nursing anymore. But...by being taken from Mom so early, they don't get to develop the doggie social skills, learn doggie language, etc.

I see you have another dog, so hopefully he'll learn that way. I'd expect him to bond to the dog first ... and you second. In time, that will change, but as a youngster, they're more secure with their own kind, and DO learn from them.

I'd just make sure he has lots of interaction with dogs, so he can learn what's socially acceptable, and all of their subtle signals, and of course with humans.

Shyness doesn't necessarily have anything to do with how long they're with their mothers. Sometimes that's just their nature.

Our Ellie came to us at 4 weeks old. Fortunately we have lots of dogs....and a couple who mothered her until she didn't need it anymore. She's certainly NOT shy.

I'd just get him out and about, and slowly get him used to as much as possible. Dog training classes are excellent for this. You don't want to force him and overwhelm him with too much at once....but little by little, daily outings for a few minutes will help build his confidence.

Lots of training programs want a dog at 6 weeks so they'll learn what humans teach them rather than what dogs teach them. Service dogs are often removed from their mothers at 6 weeks ... as are sporting dogs (sometimes 5 weeks), because they want the dog to "imprint" on the human...not other dogs. Makes them easier to train, so "they" say.
 
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R Taft

Active member
Annabelle is a very shy dog. I am not sure if it is due to abuse in hher early life or just her personality. We have found training with lots of other owners and their dogs in a happy environment with no loud or yelling people has just been the best for her. She is now very social in her classes and when she is on the lead she is very confident. Sometimes in a very loud or strange environment she will lean on me. And i know that is when she is lacking confidence. i have found that if i interact more with her during these times, she suddenly seems OK again. The interaction is not soothing and petting, but i get her into training..........Even shacking hands, hang five, drop,sit. She gets distracted and training to her is comfort and she settles down. I do not push strangers at her, i will ask them to ignore her and allow her to sniff if she chooses. It is usually only big burly men that worry her now. And hubby has many of those as friends, so she is getting used to them too.
 

Windancer

New member
I haven't taken time to read the whole thread...but don't think this has anything to do with 'weaning time'...I am bottle feeding a litter of 4 right now, and have done this before, with no ill effects.....lots of mommas wean at 5 weeks routinely...newfs that is.....I think it is most likely genetic...heriditary. Give him some time....
 

Baloo

New member
Okay..I feel better. I will give time time. Maybe it is genetics....I don't know where he came from. Maybe it is personality. It is nice to know that it is some what normal behavior though. Thanks so much for the reassurance.

He just turned 6 months.
 

ozzysma

New member
ozzy came home to us at 6.5 weeks old, you have never met a more social dog in your life. everyone and anyone is his friend. but i guess that is his personality, and he did come from a home where there were lots of activity and children.
 

Erika

New member
Gandolph and Greta both were taken away young, Greta is Demure most times but a fiesty little hussy when the mood pocesses her.Gandolph is very out going but puppy like in a lot of ways at first he was reserved and sorta shy but ......thats OK Mama Gigi takes care of that stuff...........lol
 

victoria1140

Active member
merlin is very shy and yet he has been with us and his mum since he was born. carefully work on socialisation in all situations and even though it may be genetic it just means more training and learning what they can cope with
 
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