Help! Should I take off work or not?

[RLC12345678]

As most of you know, I'm getting a new baby black lab on Sunday! I'm so excited! He is only 6 weeks old. I have been told by many black lab enthusists that 6 weeks is too young...kinda like brining a yorkie home before 12 weeks is too young. But I have had other lab owners say that 6 weeks will be fine. So, my question is, considering how young this itty bitty boy will be and considering I don't want to traumatize him the first day or two we have him, should I take off work a couple of days to take care of him and make sure he is adjusting well to his new environment? I have plenty of vacation time and generally my office doesn't really care when I use my vacation time. The only thing that is holding me back really is that I took off the whole week of Christmas for vacation and almost the whole week before Christmas because I was sick. So what do you think? Is it too soon to take a day or two more of vacation time? Those with big dogs, will my new baby be traumatized if I leave him alone the day after we get him? What do you think?

[rivermom]

Taking time off to bond with the pup whether large or small can only be beneficial imo. But if taking time is not an option right now possibly you can take a few hours off or come home for lunch, etc.

Best of luck with your new pup and have fun!

[RLC12345678]

Well, I just emailed my boss and asked for vacation on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week (I have Monday off for MLK's birthday). Hope she doesn't get mad!

[Janet]

We've always gotten our labs at 6-8 weeks and they did fine. We also worked and they did fine. Of course, prepared meals went by the wayside, because as soon as we got home we paid a lot of attention to our labs in play and training. Of course, we were always able to bring them home on a Saturday morning. I prefer to pick them up in the morning so they have all day to adjust and then have Sunday also. Even with my Yorkie babies....I prefer the new owners to pick them up of a morning. An extra day is always nice, but ours did fine over the weekend.

[RLC12345678]

People on the lab forum are giving me such a hard time about brining him home at 6 weeks. It's really getting annoying. I said I had yorkies and am a responsible dog owner, and then they criticize me for thinking that labs and yorkies are anything alike...that is NOT what I was saying. I am such a good dog owner and it really hurts my feelings that they are saying I'm not simply because I'm bringing my new baby home at 6 weeks rather than 8 weeks. Get over it!

[RLC12345678]

P.S. -- We are getting him on Sunday afternoon bc the breeder is out of town and won't be home until then. But both hubby and I are off of work on Monday, then I'm taking off Tuesday and Wednesday to care for the little guy. Then, starting on Thursday when I go back to work, I'll go home every 2 hours or so to check on him and tend to him. I think if I can successfully raise two 3lb yorkies, whom I brought home one at 7 weeks and the other at 8 weeks, then I can successfully handle a 6 week old lab puppy. What do yall think?

[rivermom]

Originally Posted by RLC12345678

People on the lab forum are giving me such a hard time about brining him home at 6 weeks. It's really getting annoying. I said I had yorkies and am a responsible dog owner, and then they criticize me for thinking that labs and yorkies are anything alike...that is NOT what I was saying. I am such a good dog owner and it really hurts my feelings that they are saying I'm not simply because I'm bringing my new baby home at 6 weeks rather than 8 weeks. Get over it!

Rebecca ~ Of course you are a very responsible dog owner. Don't allow the one's who criticize you to get under your skin. You do what you feel is best for you and the pup, bottom line. Just take a deep breath and focus on what matters most.

[SweetCuteness]

Originally Posted by RLC12345678

People on the lab forum are giving me such a hard time about brining him home at 6 weeks. It's really getting annoying. I said I had yorkies and am a responsible dog owner, and then they criticize me for thinking that labs and yorkies are anything alike...that is NOT what I was saying. I am such a good dog owner and it really hurts my feelings that they are saying I'm not simply because I'm bringing my new baby home at 6 weeks rather than 8 weeks. Get over it!

I'm sure you'll be fine bringing him home at 6 weeks. You're definitely a responsible dog owner and have an excellent plan to take care of him (the 2 hour thing). That's crummy that they're being such bums about you bringing him home at that age. Like Janet says, I'm sure most of them don't "practice their preaching" anyway.

[Gina]

Originally Posted by RLC12345678

People on the lab forum are giving me such a hard time about brining him home at 6 weeks. It's really getting annoying. I said I had yorkies and am a responsible dog owner, and then they criticize me for thinking that labs and yorkies are anything alike...that is NOT what I was saying. I am such a good dog owner and it really hurts my feelings that they are saying I'm not simply because I'm bringing my new baby home at 6 weeks rather than 8 weeks. Get over it!

Rebecca honey, you do want you feel is right. I don't own a Lab, just a yorkie, and I myself hardly go on YT, because there seems to be many people who seem to know it all and get nasty on there.Like a few have brought up on here. Don't let anyone tell you that you are not responsible , because you are very much so. Think of it this way if they had a new mommy website, I am sure many would think they know it all. Like having children and raising them, no one can tell you, just offer advice, just do what you think its best, your mother instincts come right out. So if you can get a few days off go for it, bond with the puppy. Your mature and you will do the right thing.. This little puppy is lucky to have you and your hubby.
Good Luck!

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by RLC12345678

People on the lab forum are giving me such a hard time about brining him home at 6 weeks. It's really getting annoying. I said I had yorkies and am a responsible dog owner, and then they criticize me for thinking that labs and yorkies are anything alike...that is NOT what I was saying. I am such a good dog owner and it really hurts my feelings that they are saying I'm not simply because I'm bringing my new baby home at 6 weeks rather than 8 weeks. Get over it!

I know what you mean, been there LOL... i was on a Dutch lab forum, even though my baby came home at 10 weeks due to her size, they still critisized me, but i knew i had to stick around for a while to learn as much as possible in a short period of time, so basically i sat and read all i could, bought books, found an excellent training class, and off we went.
Rebecca, your baby will be fine. Those lab forums are much like yorkie forums, and i can respect they too want the best for the breed, but i did not like the attitude i got over a few questions i asked.
Just take what you need from that forum, and ignore the critisism. I learnt a lot on there from reading things.
I know you are a responsible parent, and you will do what's best for him. If you are able to spend the first few days with him, what a bonus.

Enjoy him