Some ten years ago, my behaviour practice reviewed our cases of dog-to-dog aggression. Watching two or more play together and collapse in exhaustion together is pure entertainment. But, it takes double the work and double the patience as it would if you were raising one instead. I like having two, especially if they are a bit different. It is also not advisable to get two puppies at the same age. I hope you guys enjoy! Right now I have a 6.5 year old and 4.5 year old and will hopefully be getting a puppy this summer (by my 4.5 year old). It's not a good idea!!!" More time was spent in the home. We're drawn to our same kind. Raising 2 Puppies at the Same Time by Leah Spitzer. Go solo! The difficulties of getting two puppies together. How to Raise Two Dogs. Puppies are a lot of work. The incidence of owners purchasing "Siblings", either same-sex or brother and sister from the same litter or two puppies from different litters and breeds but of similar ages is now more prevalent than at any other time in living memory. Take extra care in case you are raising sibling puppies of the same age and gender. What I suggest is to get your first dog, work on house training, obedience, house manners, crate training. So far all my dogs have had 2 or more years between them. If you’re considering adopting two puppies at the same time, it’s important to consider the challenges that may come along with this decision, so that you can devote the time and energy to positive-reinforcement training. Within two weeks of coming home, your puppies should be trained to sleep in separate dog crates. When puppies ingest food at the same time each day, they're more likely to eliminate in a predictable manner. We all realise this at the time but, a bit like the pain of childbirth, everyone seems to forget what the first few months were like once they have an older and settled pet. Some thoughts about two training multiple puppies in one session. I’ve been at this for decades now! Your may be surprised to know that they need MORE individual socialisation, not less! I've usually had two, but not the same age and not acquired at the same time. Puppies require a lot of time, effort, love and attention that will be a significant part of your life when they come home with you. That's just a fact. Getting two puppies at once can seem like a good idea when you’re looking for a furry friend for the family.. After all, with two puppies, you have a built-in buddy system when you have to be away from home for a period of time.. I hope you find the information helpful. Whether it be humans or dogs, blood is thicker than water. Why Does This Matter? Raising two dogs can be a wonderful and rewarding experience. When two puppies of the same age are adopted, this can lead to several issues which occur as a result of the excess bonding and developmental deficits that takes place inevitably if no steps are taken. I am constantly asked if I think it's a good idea to buy two puppies and raise them together, or people ask what I think about getting their older dog a puppy to keep the older dog company. Buying Two Puppies. Let your dogs establish their hierarchy. They tend to bond with each other instead of bonding with their owner. You’ll be a happy two-dog household in no time. Sure, certain similarities string all puppies together. Because multi-dog household aggression is real! My answer is simple - "NO!!! Waiting 6 months to a year will be easier in the long run, believe me. They're dogs, you're not. So, really, what could be better than a dog? Reputable breeders often raise promising show or working puppies in the homes of friends or family to allow the youngsters to blossom in environments free of bossier siblings. However, don’t combine the stress of a new home with that of being separated immediately. Learn More → Getting two puppies at once means constant companionship. It’s one of the signs of Littermate Syndrome when you’re raising two puppies. Occasionally, it possible to successfully raise two puppies together – but this very much depends on the owner’s ability to be a good pack leader along with experience in training and behaviour. You can raise 2 puppies at the same time, yes. Before you start picking out the typeface for that adoption announcement, consider what you’re in for. The most important step is to spend time alone with each puppy daily. Sibling puppies, therefore, will be as difficult to handle as two fighting human siblings. Rearing two puppies is not an easy task. That’s a question I asked myself for years -- until I decided to try owning multiple dogs (usually 2, but sometimes 3) at the same time. That can be a good thing. Like any dog owner, I think that my two are the greatest creatures in the canine world, but would I recommend getting two puppies at the same time? On the surface, adopting two puppies from the same litter may seem like a no-brainer. Another good article can be found here: "Raising Siblings" (Littermates) or Raising 2 Puppies at the Same Time, by Leah Spitzer Raising Two Puppies At Once! In fact, back when I bred dogs I would not sell 2 of my puppies to people that want to raise them together. If your puppy would rather play fight with his buddy than listen to you, you need to take action NOW! Jul 21, 2019 - The thought of raising two puppies at the same time can be very appealing. Mar 27, 2019 - Tips for Raising Two Puppies at the Same Time #millandgrace This makes it very difficult to properly train the puppies and socialize them. It was a completely different experience! Puppies from the same litter, especially those of the same sex, may have dominance issues. Top three rules of owning two puppies. Unimaginably Helpful Tips for Raising Sibling Puppies Together. Raising a single puppy is the kind of project that has people muttering “Never again” under their breaths. They also have a buddy to play with no matter what time of day, whether you’re able to play with them or not. I’ve raised several dogs in my lifetime — from puppies through their senior years.. And I’ve raised two dogs at the same time before.In fact, several times. Two puppies is twice the amount of time, effort, love and attention and twice the responsibility. But this is the first time that I’ve raised sibling puppies from the same litter.. Well, how about two dogs?. Having more than one puppy is a lot of fun. The first and most difficult is that two puppies who grow up together will become very, very close. Predictability gives you an advantage so you'll know around what time the puppies should be taken out. What we don't realize is that it doesn't take two times the work...it takes three times the work. Puppies, even if they are from different litters, have a tendency to form very close bonds with each other, often failing to build relationships with their owners. Should you raise one dog or two dogs? Take heart: The problems you describe are common in households with two puppies, and you can make the situation better. Your littermate pups may be so besotted with each other that they will have little time for you. When I first started training dogs 25 years ago, lifestyles were different. ", by Nancy Vollmer. Unfortunately this bond is often at the expense of a bond with the owner. Raising more than one puppy at a time presents many challenges. Also, they are muttering it at two a.m. Here I discuss the very controversial subject of whether or not someone should raise two puppies at once and the risk of litter mate syndrome, plus i introduce my two puppies … More time was available to raise a pup. They learn LOADS socialization and behaviour wise in the 8 weeks they need to be with their mother and siblings. Tips for Successfully Raising Two Puppies Puppies Should Sleep Separately. Maybe getting two puppies at once sounds reasonable, but many dog trainers, breeders, and shelters say that it’s much better for everyone involved if you add just one puppy at a time … Once you make it into or past the ‘teenager’ stage, then add in a second puppy! Should You Get Two Puppies at the Same Time? Besides helping you build a strong relationship with each of the dogs, this will also accustom them to being separated. However, like humans, each one has her own unique personality and temperament that affect the way she relates to her world. Training two puppies from the same litter may take longer than expected because puppies are so distracted by one another. Think again. Here are additional tips for making life a little easier for everyone in the two-puppy house: Remember that each puppy is different. Some I got as puppies, some as adults. With two puppies from the same litter you are dealing with a pair who are already bonded to each other, and it takes a great deal of effort on your part to become part of their group. Be sure that you have the desire and the resources to offer that to two new family members. Before adopting a second dog to join your current canine companion or bringing home two dogs together, keep a couple factors in mind to make sure the process goes smoothly. Dogs can bring so much joy into our lives: They’re loving, loyal, hilarious, and adorable, and many dog parents truly see them as family members. You may think getting two puppies at once won't require that much more work and expense. Here are five things to consider before taking home two. Unless you already have two or more puppies, you may want to reconsider. Raising two puppies from different litters is a challenge, but not quite as huge of an undertaking as raising two puppies from the same litter. Raising two dogs vs one dog. Got two puppies from the same litter? Think again. One thing hasn’t changed though - our desire for the loyal dog, for … Many of the pit falls listed here we saw first hand and had to address as they came up. Also, if you get puppies at 4 weeks old, they wont know how to behave as dogs. Raising two puppies at the same time to get those two adult dogs might not be the best choice for most homes. They'll be closer with each other than either will be with the human members of the household. Two puppies at the same time is double the food, double the toys, double the accidents, double the training time, double the chewing, and double everything else that comes with having a puppy. It matters because building a bond between you and your dog is very important if you are to be successful in training the dog. Two puppies of the same or a similar age, form a terrific bond. Avoid adopting two or more puppies at the same time. There are many negatives about raising two puppies at the same time. This leads to significant problems later on, as the pups reach maturity. There are a number of reasons for this. But two instead of one is twice as expensive -- and twice the trouble, at least until they're older. Start out by placing the crates side by side. It is crucial that if two puppies are brought into a household at the same time that they are kept separate for much of the time and socialised and trained separately. (Usually, we add a new puppy to our single-dog household during each dog’s senior years.) Housebreaking two puppies simultaneously can be a challenge. You have the desire and the resources to offer that to two new family.. 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