Can I buy a puppy that is younger than 8 weeks?

Question

It seems you always have to get them when their 8 weeks or older, but I want one thats a few weeks old, is it illegal or something?

Answer 1

Puppies that are with their mothers longer learn how to behave well faster. So  the nursing, yes, is very important, but it's also about having a role model to learn from, too.  

Answer 2

no that is to young they cant leave there mother till they r 8 week old

Answer 3

I think its legal

Answer 4

The puppy must (in many places, by law) be sold no younger than 8 weeks of age (10 is preferable).

In the last few weeks with the dam, the pup learns valuable social skills. Denying the pup that by taking him too soon can lead to serious behavioral problems as an adult.

Answer 5

There are people that will sell you a puppy younger than 8 weeks but noone who really cares about dogs would do this.

Puppies need to be with there mother for at least 7-8 weeks in order to feed properly.

If you buy a puppy at only a couple of weeks, it will have a very high chance of dying.

Answer 6

a few weeks old as in 6 or 7 weeks old or as in 2 or 3 weeks old. its ok to get a puppy at 7 weeks old, but any younger is not good. i really hope you dont mean at 2 or 3 weeks old, because they may or may not be starting to eat puppy food, and they still need their mother

Answer 7

i wouldnt accept one any younger no  

Answer 8

Are you planning to suckle it yourself then?

It takes at least 8 weeks for the pup to be weaned, most reputable kennels won't let a dog go under 10 weeks to be honest.  So if you DO get one younger than 8 weeks you are dealing with someone that does not care at all for the animal.

Answer 9

you shouldn't take a puppy away from its mother before then as it is still being nurtured by her and it needs time to get used to eating proper food rather than milk.

Answer 10

In many places, yes it is illegal to sell or give away pups under 8 weeks.

You think you want one that young.. but you really dont.  Every dog I've seen given away under 8 weeks has some anxiety issues, OCD etc..  Its even worse in pups given away at 6 weeks or less... many of them are neurotic!  Its very hard to properly socialize a pup that young to prevent behavoirs.  Pups dont even start weaning until about 3-4 weeks, so it also wouldnt be healthy to the pup to get one thats a few weeks old.  They need mom's milk as they get natural immunity from it.

Pups should stay with mom until 8 weeks minimum.. they learn valuable social skills from mom and litter mates during that time..  actually 10-12 weeks is even better!

Answer 11

When a puppy is born it needs the mother's milk for important nutrients and after 8 weeks they don't NEED the milk.

Answer 12

Please don't get one under 8 weeks old or you will probably have problems when you finally meet other dogs, as puppies should stay with the mother and the other puppies to learn how to socialise properly with other dogs.

Answer 13

probably only at the pound will you find them that young. its not good for their development to separate them from their parents that young. i got a five week old kitten at the pound a few years back and she is just fine, playful, people-friendly, and always uses the litter box. :)

Answer 14

I'm sorry, but i really really dont' know, but i think you should ask like Petsmart, or Petco or one of the pet places. Very sorry if this didn't help. :)

Answer 15

yes

Answer 16

No! ALL dogs need to be at LEAST 8 weeks old to be separated from their mother. If it's younger the "breeder" most likely runs a puppy mill.

Pups NEED to be with their mothers until a certain age. It's just sick and cruel to tear a puppy away from its mother when it's only a couple weeks old :(  

Answer 17

It IS illegal in some states to buy a puppy under 8 weeks old, it just depends on which state you live in. You don't want to adopt a puppy under 8 weeks old, puppies that leave their mom at too early an age might not live and if they do, they grow up to have serious emotional problems. My friend Kelly has a dog that was separted from its mom at 4 weeks when the mother died from being hit by a car. She loves her dog to death but honestly the dog is a FREAK, she has all kinds of weird phobeas, she has the worst separation anxiety I've ever seen (Kelly can't even even take a shower or use the bathroom without the dog scratching, crying and screaming at the door like someones hurting her), Kelly brings her everywhere with her, she's never left her anywhere, its like the dog is scarred permanently from being separated from her mother at such a young age. There is a reason those laws where created. Just keep in mind there are plenty of absolutely adorable 8 week old small breed puppies for adoption that are sooo tiny and small that they look only a few weeks old, but they are actually ready to leave their mom. I've seen small "teacup" Poodles, Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Maltese, Pomeranian, Shih-Tzu, and every kind of tiny "designer" mixed-breed you could imagine. I have a very small 10 week old Chi-s**+ (Chihuahua x Shih-Tzu) Mr. Higgins, he is the best dog in the world, and he probably won't be over 6 lbs. full grown, both his parents are tiny. Also my aunt has a 1 year old Maltipoo who is just about 5 lbs. Good Luck

Answer 18

NO. they can't be seperated form their mom until 8 weeks old so i guess you can a puppy if  you have the mom with them =) other wise the answer is NO.

Kassondre*<3

Answer 19

No its not illegal but it is not a good idea because the puppy needs its mothers milk for nutrients and they learn a lot from their litter mates like not to bite so it is not a good idea to get a puppy earlier than 8 weeks. They also could develope behavior issues.

Answer 20

Thats horrible in SEVERAL ways.

For one, a puppy that is only 2-3 weeks old isn't even weaned yet. They don't wean themselves until about 5 weeks or so. And I HIGHLY doubt you could properly bottle raise a puppy. If you could, you wouldn't be asking such a stupid question like this.

For two, between 5-8 weeks is a VERY important time as far as socialization and mental stimulation and growth goes. It is between these weeks that puppies learn "manners" and how to properly act from their mom and littermate. Their mom does teach them a lot. One of the biggest things she teaches them is that biting too hard hurts. Puppies taken away before 8 weeks usually have a problem with biting too hard during play. Also, puppies taken away before this time can have severe social issues.

And yes, it is illegal in a lot of places to take a puppy before 8 weeks. If it is not illegal in your area, it is still very wrong and selfish to do so

Answer 21

Not a good idea. The pup needs its mum for at least 8 weeks. Taking it earlier may well lead to behavioural problems as it grows up.

Answer 22

you shouldn't because a puppy that young isn't ready to be away from it's mother yet

Answer 23

6 weeks old is the average.  You have to wait until the puppy is done nursing from it's mom, earlier than that it is very dangerous for the puppy.

Answer 24

It is illegal to get a puppy younger then eight weeks. And there's no reason why you should want to get a puppy that's a few weeks old. That's bad for the puppy's future development. I suggest you do some more research before you even think about getting a dog.

Answer 25

I don't recommend doing that.

A dog should be even older before it leaves the littermates and mom it should be 10-12 weeks old.

Many dogs taken away under this age have behavioral issues that are serious and also have socialization issues.

You do not want a dog with these issues.

So wait until the puppy is 10-12 weeks old and is well socialized. It is easier for the puppy who is socializded and older to adjust to a new home.  

Answer 26

no its not good for the puppy by 8 weeks they should be able to eat and drink with out the mom. If you take the puppy away before its ready you will end up with a puppy with problems he will be harder to train and you wont be able to ever leave it alone. Our puppy was 8 weeks but was still sucking from the mom and we have dependent issues with him if we leave he is attached and freaks out even if its for the mail. make sure he is fully eating and drinking alone.  

Answer 27

It's not illegal, but it's a bad idea.

Puppies need to be with their birth mama to learn how to be a good dog and they are not mature enough to be separated from their mothers before 8 weeks of age.  

They should not be weaned till they are 5-6 weeks old, and then there's a lot of learning.  

Taking a pup from mama before age 8 weeks is like making a human child move out and become self supporting at age 10 or 12.  It's just harmful emotionally, and there's a lot to be learned.

cw

Answer 28

It isn't Illegal but is very unhealthy for you to take the puppy at just a couple weeks. The puppies need to learn from their litter mates as well as their mother. When the puppies play (play full bite with each other and they bite too hard the litter mates will let the puppy know. Therefore if you get a puppy too young he/she will most likely be very mouthy (and i don't mean aggressive) plus the pup needs the milk from his mother. I have a dog that was the only pup in the litter and he is very mouthy. I would not recommend getting a puppy that early

Answer 29

No reputable breeder will sell you one until they are eight weeks old.  I use to breed poms, and would never let a baby go until then.  This ensures that they puppy is eating good and well enough to be weaned from it's mom, it should also have it's first set of shots before you get it.  If you get one thats only 2-3 weeks old, you will have a hard time keeping it alive.  They have to be tube fed to make sure they are getting enough to eat.  Stimulation and cleaning to make sure they go potty, and this has to be done every couple of hours.  Let the baby stay with it's mama as long as possible, because you'll have a better pet.  When you get it home, there will still be enough baby in it for you to become it's new mama.