I doubt the breeder is separating them during eating only. Chances are, he has separated them permanantly. That is sad. One of the main reasons a chi pup should stay longer is simply due to size. It isn't that they take longer to wean, or anything like that, but due to the fact that often times the new owner does not have the know how to properly care for such a small dog. A breeder, on the other hand, should know how to take care of it, thus it is better staying with an experienced person untill it is a bit older. So many chi pups suffer injuries, not because the new owner is careless, per se, but because they just don't realise how fragile the chi pup is. I have heard everything from broken legs due to jumping off furniture, to pups getting killed after climbing inside a recliner and the owner not knowing before they let the recliner down.
Then of course is the sugar issues, the feeding needs, the shot reactions, ect...all things an experienced breeder should be better equiped to deal with than a new owner. I would not be so concerned letting a younger pup go to a new home where an an experienced chi person is....for instance, I would let Cindy take a pup home at 7 weeks.....but I would not let a new chi person, or even a person with unknown or limited experience. The ads for the DVDs and books are all over the internet. It is true that chis are unique from most breeds, but I would think it would be more dependant on your own ability to train, than on the breed you have. Some people benefit from seeing examples on a DVD, some do better seeing the words written in a book, and some are just naturals at it. Still others learn more just from talking with people such as this group. As to whether the books and DVDs are worth it would depend on you and how you like to get info. But yea, chis are different. Every breed is different. You can take a sweet lab who is desperate to please and train it easily, but sometimes, trying to train a chi is like trying to train a cat, lol. Once you learn the personality of the chi, you can better understand how to approach training. And no two chis are alike. Marsha > I appreciate the advice several of you have given me regarding the pup > being too young to be away from it's mother at 7.5 weeks. I will call > the breeder tonight. When I was there he had the four pups together in a > playpen and they were eating puppy chow and they had water. He said the > first time he gave the pups the puppy chow they went right to it and ate > it readily. The mother and father were nearby, but not with the pups. I > believe he said he does put the pups together with the mother most of > the time, but separates them so the pups can eat the chow. Is this the > correct thing for him to be doing? They are 6.5 weeks old. > > I have another question. I've seen online DVDs claiming to tell you > how to train chis specifically. In the ads they say that chis require > training methods that differ from other breeds and their product will > let you in on the 'secrets'. Any truth to this?? > > Lucy in NJ > > > Nonnie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > 7.5 weeks is TOO YOUNG FOR IT TO BE TAKEN FROM ITS MOTHER > BEWARE. It may be cute but you don't want to take it that > young. > > Nonnie > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Chihuahuas@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On > Behalf Of jerseeegirl Sent: Sunday, July 02, 2006 9:11 PM > To: Chihuahuas@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [Chihuahuas] New Chi Mommy Needs Advice > > > Hi! I met my new 6 1/2-week old baby chi today and put a deposit > down. > I'll get her next week. She's SO cute! She's mainly white with some tan > spots. Her parents were there at the breeders. Nice people.. nice dogs > too! Thinking of names... I went and bought her a layette LOL... a > little pink tank dress, a little pink flowered collar, leash, > carrier, bowls, toys, blanket... all in pink!. > Anyway, I've rescued a few adult beagles and a pom, but have only had > one pup (a beagle) ever in my life. Does anyone have any advice on > housebreaking my chi? Feeding her? When are they old enough to begin > obedience training? > > Lucy in NJ > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Great things are happening at Yahoo! Groups. See the new email design. http://us.click.yahoo.com/TISQkA/hOaOAA/yQLSAA/MJOolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> " Lets talk about our wonderful little friends! Join today! " Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chihuahuas/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/