I have a special unit where my pregnant Mama's stay until a few weeks after the pups are born.  There are several reasons why I have this method.  First, I have a lot of visitors coming in and out of my house on a weekly basis. People do not realize that they can pick up diseases anywhere! I want to make sure these newborns are kept in the most sanitary conditions.  The other reason I do this is for the bitches' stress level.  I want to keep the environment as quiet and relaxing as possible.  However, when I feel that it is safe between 2 and 4 weeks of age, I let these beautiful pups into my office.  Here, interaction occurs with my family members and very close friends.  From 4 to 6 weeks I am more lenient because they have received their first shots.  They spend more time in my office, in my specially designed office pens.  From 6 to 8 weeks they come in and romp around in my house, on my deck and in the yard until they go to their new forever homes.  This method allows for plenty of socialization and the beginning stages of basic training!