Hi,
After much diliberations and calculations we have decided to get a new family member, a puppy, to join our 3 kids a cat and a rabbit We decided on getting a puppy from a friends litter as i know both parents and temperments, The pup is a purebred staffordshire bull terrier, Now since talking to her im getting a little concerned as she has told me pups will be ready in 6-8 weeks, I thought they are supposed to be with mum longer than this, what is the proper age to separate mum and pups and if separated at 6weeks old what proplems may this result in, What can i do to prevent these problems, I fed our last pup from a bottle under vetinary supervision as he was not feeding from his mum and was getting weak, but that was a need and he died young from digestive problems i do not want to go through that again and i have kids, I understand some people may have reservations about staffs and children but i would like to stress that i truely believe its how the pups are raised, obediance classes are a must.
Secondly, i cannot decide on a name, he is a black staff with a white "bib" any ideas would be greatly appreciated,
We are getting a cage for him, not to keep him in all the time, but for going out and bed, and also for if he becomes too exitable , I was going to get a huge cage but i was told a smaller one would be better so he feels secure, what are your thoughts on this? is small or big better, as i said wouldnt be long periods, just nights and for half hour or so in day, .
Huge Thanks!
Rachael

I think its how the pup is raised as to how it behaves when its older! Its just some people treat their dogs with disrespect and they become like their owners!

When we got our puppy, he was about 12 weeks old, and I thought that was the best time they could leave mum and the litter! I think they can leave at 8 weeks, but its better if they are kept that little bit longer!

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I would recommend you get the puppy at 8 weeks not before they have socialisation problems and bite inhibiton issues. I don't have any issues with Staffs and children I would trust them with children more than other dogs they're known as the nanny dogs. I would get a crate that is the right size for the breed there are charts online and section it off until the puppy is bigger. If it's too big the puppy will go in one corner and lie in the other defeating the purpose of crate training.

Shadow, Milo, Teigan, Blue, Buster, Bracken, Race, Jake, Marley, Jacco, or you could call him " bloodyhell" coz by the time he gets the hang of things he will think thats his name coz you will be saying it to him all the time lololol
Bloody hell dont pee there
Bloody hell look what you did
Bloody hell he's chewing the furniture etc etc lololol xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

thanks for suggestions,
lol at bloodyhell ya cant wait for all the puppy madness, getting my cat used to him isnt going to be easy, but do it slow they should be fine, she was fine with our other dogs,

8 weeks is supposed to be the best time to take a puppy home. To early and they haven't learned everything they can from mum and littermates, to late and they are harder to socialize. Remember 8-12 weeks is the optimum time to socialise your dog - so start building up your muscles because ideally you need to be taking him out and about to get used to the world before he's had all his jabs which means carrying him everywhere

I'm rubbish with names, just make sure you pick something you are happy to call out across the park

A crate should be big enough to stand up, stretch out and turn around. I would buy a big one with a divider so as he grows you can give him more room.

Good luck.

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A dog Possesses Beauty without Vanity,Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.