How to Avoid “Week Dogs”: A Complete Guide for New Puppy Owners​

Adorable little puppies are hard to resist—who can say no to those wiggly tails and soft fur? But many new owners have faced a heart-wrenching experience: their puppy seems healthy for the first few days at home, then suddenly grows listless, gets sick, and even passes away within a week. If you’ve felt guilty thinking it was your fault, you might not have known—this is likely a “week dog” scenario. Let’s break down what week dogs are, why they happen, and how to protect yourself (and your future pup).

What Exactly Is a “Week Dog”?

A “week dog” refers to puppies that appear totally normal—active, playful, and energetic—when you first bring them home. But within 3 to 7 days, they start showing terrifying symptoms: extreme tiredness, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood), and loss of appetite. Tragically, many of these puppies don’t survive more than a week after the first signs appear—that’s where the name comes from.

These puppies aren’t just “unlucky”—their illness almost always stems from neglect or dishonest practices before you even meet them.

Where Do “Week Dogs” Come From?

You’ve probably seen them: street vendors or unlicensed sellers with crates of tiny puppies, all looking cute and eager. But behind that adorable facade, most of these pups come from terrible conditions:

• Backyard breeders or puppy mills: These operations prioritize profit over health. Puppies are kept in overcrowded, dirty cages with no proper food, water, or vet care. Diseases like parvovirus, distemper, and kennel cough spread like wildfire here.
• Dishonest resellers: Many street vendors buy these sickly puppies cheaply, then try to sell them quickly before symptoms show. They don’t care if the pup is ill—they just want to make a sale.

A Better Option: If you want a puppy without supporting these practices, try adoption instead of buying. Check local animal shelters, vet clinics, or reputable rescue groups (like the ASPCA or local breed-specific rescues). You can also find adoptable pups on trusted online platforms—all it takes is patience to find your perfect furry match.

Why Are “Week Dogs” So Hard to Spot?

Even careful owners get tricked by week dogs—and it’s not your fault. Here’s why they’re so sneaky:

1. Disease incubation periods: Most illnesses that kill week dogs (like parvo or distemper) have a 1-2 week incubation period. During this time, the puppy looks healthy—no symptoms at all. By the time signs show up, the disease is already advanced.
2. Sellers use quick fixes: Unscrupulous vendors often inject puppies with serum or steroids to “mask” symptoms temporarily. This makes the pup seem lively for a few days, but it doesn’t cure the disease. Worse, standard test strips (for parvo or distemper) can’t detect the virus during incubation—so a “negative” test doesn’t always mean your pup is safe.

7 Tips to Avoid Buying a “Week Dog”

The best way to protect yourself is to be proactive. Follow these steps to find a healthy puppy:

1. Buy from Reputable Sources Only

Skip street vendors, random online ads, or “popup” puppy sellers. Stick to:

• Licensed kennels: Look for breeders who are registered with organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) or United Kennel Club (UKC). They follow strict health standards and let you visit the puppy’s birthplace.
• Trusted pet stores: Ask if they source puppies from ethical breeders (not mills). Avoid stores that can’t tell you where their pups come from.

2. Observe the Puppy’s Energy Level

A healthy puppy is curious and playful. If the pup:

• Sits quietly in the corner, not reacting to toys or people
• Seems weak, wobbly, or sleepy all the time
• Tries to hide instead of approaching you

It’s a red flag—walk away.

3. Check Their Appetite and Mouth

Healthy puppies love food! Ask the seller to feed the pup while you’re there—they should eat eagerly. Also:

• Look inside their mouth: Gums and tongue should be bright pink (pale gums mean anemia or illness).
• No bad breath, swollen gums, or missing teeth (for their age).

4. Inspect Eyes, Nose, and Ears

These areas reveal a lot about a pup’s health:

• Eyes: Clear, bright, and free of discharge (no redness or crusty corners).
• Nose: Cool and slightly moist (dry, cracked, or runny noses are signs of sickness).
• Ears: Clean, pink inside, and odor-free (no brown/black gunk or scratching).

5. Check Coat and Skin

A healthy puppy’s coat is soft, shiny, and even. Avoid pups with:

• Bald spots, flaky skin, or red, itchy patches (signs of mange or allergies).
• Matted fur (shows neglect).

6. Ask About Vaccinations and Vet Records

Reputable sellers will have written vet records proving:

• The puppy has had age-appropriate vaccines (e.g., first parvo/distemper shot at 6-8 weeks).
• Deworming treatments (puppies need these regularly).

If a seller says “they don’t need shots yet” or can’t show records—don’t trust them.

7. Visit the Puppy’s Living Space

If possible, see where the puppy was born and raised. A clean, spacious area with access to food, water, and their mom (if she’s still around) means the breeder cares about health. Dirty, cramped cages are a huge warning sign.

What to Do If You Think You Have a “Week Dog”

If your new puppy starts showing symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy), act fast:

1. Go to the vet immediately: Don’t wait—diseases like parvo are fatal without treatment. Bring any records the seller gave you (even if they’re incomplete).
2. Don’t give up too soon: While week dogs are sick, many can recover with prompt care. Your vet may use IV fluids, antibiotics, or antiviral meds to fight the infection.
3. Report the seller: If you confirm it’s a week dog, report the seller to local animal control or consumer protection agencies. This helps stop them from scamming other people.

Your Role as a New Puppy Owner (To Keep Them Healthy)

Even if you get a healthy puppy, the first few weeks at home are critical. Avoid turning a healthy pup into a “week dog” by:

• No baths for the first 2 weeks: Puppies get cold easily, and baths stress them out—weakening their immune system. Spot-clean dirty areas with a damp cloth instead.
• Skip deworming/boosters at first: Wait 1-2 weeks after bringing your pup home before giving dewormers or extra vaccines. Their body needs time to adjust to the new environment.
• Don’t take them outside: Until they’re fully vaccinated (usually 16 weeks old), keep them indoors. Unvaccinated puppies are at risk of catching parvo or distemper from other dogs’ waste.

Final Thoughts

Bringing home a new puppy should be a happy moment—not a nightmare. By avoiding shady sellers, checking for key health signs, and taking it slow in the first few weeks, you can protect yourself from “week dogs” and build a long, loving life with your pup. Remember: A little patience now saves you heartache later.