It is important for you to make sure that the puppies are old enough before you let them go to their new homes. You’ll want to wait until they are at least 8 weeks old, but also until they are fully weaned. Some breeds take longer, and some breeders like to have the puppies stay longer so that they can be sure they are healthy.
No matter what you decide for yourself, it is important to continue to train and socialize the dog while they are with you. By 8 to 10 weeks of age (Editor’s note: Adam recommends eight weeks!) a puppy should be having a good idea of what it means to go potty outside, and should be eating on his own. Then, you can feel free to have them go to their new homes. Just make sure that you feel ready and that you think the puppies are ready.
Remember that sometimes the mother dog has things to teach the puppies even after they have been weaned, so you might want to wait for this to happen.
Please note: This article is from a contributor. Opinions expressed may or may not agree with those of Master Dog Trainer Adam G. Katz. When in doubt, please refer to the advice given in Adam’s dog training book. This article is provided for your enjoyment, only.