Partner and I took on 2 pups from the same litter. Week 2…

[17xande]

@beaconlight94 Our breeder was telling us a story of someone who picked up 2 pups from the same litter... it doesn't turn out well. This person had worked with horses and dogs all their life and thought they could handle 2x GSD pups, needless to say, one of them ended up back with the breeder.

 

[survive777]

@beaconlight94 My wife and I are raising two frenchie puppies that are the same age. It can be done, but you really need to raise them separately. Eating, walking/playing, potty training, etc. Ours only interact once or twice per day, which is a ton of extra work on top of the normal puppy drama.

 

[beaconlight94]

@survive777 I took this advice and separated the two into two separate rooms. Hopefully when my partner comes back home we can figure out a schedule to help us ALL out.

 

[abrother]

@beaconlight94 Just realise it will likely be double the work and half the fun. Theres no shame in giving one back to the so called breeder. In fact, it would probably be the best thing to do for everyone involved.

 

[taz77777]

@abrother It’s twice the fun, and you are doing the work anyway!

 

[abrother]

@taz77777 To keep them separated and rotate? Why even bother?

 

[taz77777]

@abrother Yep, keeping them separated would definitely not be for me. My two are way too happy together to want to mess that up.

 

[abrother]

@taz77777 So yours are still puppies? As ive understood it the possible issues will show when they are older if they are not raised mostly separately. They may bond to each other more than you. This can cause severe anxiety if they ever need to be apart (like vet visit or whatever). It can be very difficult to train them together. They will be less socialised with other dogs. They might turn aggressive towards each other when they reach adolesence.

Im sure it can be done, but every single breeder and trainer i know do not recommend it. If you still decide to the most important thing seem to be separation most of the day and a lot of one on one time for training and socialisation. Make them bond with you first.

 

[taz77777]

@survive777 This sounds sad. I get so much joy out of seeing mine discover the world together. They do eat separately in their crates but they happily do all those other things together. Is this a Frenchie thing?

 

[survive777]

@taz77777 It’s for the best when you consider the long term! What we’re trying to avoid is the pups becoming too codependent on one another and not forming a bond with us, which can happen if they spend too much time together as they experience the world during their first year.

 

[taz77777]

@survive777 Mine hang out together all the time and they think I hung the moon. I had a mobile groomer come last week and while one was in the truck the other one took a nap in my lap. Totally depends on the breed and the dog and the training but I wouldn’t have two dogs if I couldn’t keep them together, pack life for me!

 

[cartesian12]

@beaconlight94 You live and you learn. It’s okay to admit you bit off more than you can chew and if you don’t want to continue pursuing this path, just know… that is okay and now you know better for next time!

But if you decide you are committed to keeping them both, then taking deep breaths and closing your eyes for even just 30 seconds in the moments that they’re both going crazy and you feel extremely overwhelmed is INCREDIBLY helpful!

 

[timtams]

@beaconlight94 I had two puppies at the same time, two different litters, but same age. Littermate syndrome isn’t a thing that just happens to littermates, it is an umbrella term for undesirable behaviours that come from treating two dogs as a single entity, and not giving each individual dog time and training one-on-one. It is a risk, obviously, but if you put the time you will get two normal, we’ll balanced dogs. Just meet their needs separately.

Our biggest issue with two (Vs the normal issues of puppies being puppies) was getting them to settle, as they were always winding each other up when one wanted to sleep. Crate training was invaluable then, enforced naps saved my sanity.

 

[josh_ats]

@beaconlight94 The rescue I fostered with would not, under any circumstances, adopt out two dogs from the same litter because of littermate syndrome. I started seeing signs of it if I had two from the same litter just to foster after 3-4 weeks. It's a real concern and takes a lot of work and a lot of training if you were to keep both.

 

[taz77777]

@beaconlight94 There is debate whether littermate syndrome even exists. Get some input from people who have successfully raised puppies from the same letter or from the same age group, it is absolutely not all doom and gloom. There are two of you so that will make it much easier, I am raising two by myself and at times it is a challenge but it is also a joy.

Don’t freak out about separating them all the time, they do need time apart as time goes on but there are advantages to them learning about the world together as well. I kept mine in a kids playpen on a sheet of vinyl when I first brought them home, then made the pen smaller and attached it to their kennels. They got used to being in the kennels when I left the house and as they became more housetrained I got rid of the pen and they slept in their individual crates overnight.

They can be a challenge just like any puppy, but I am thankful every day that they wear each other out playing, and for the entertainment seeing what kind of mischief they can cook up. I read up extensively on littermate syndrome before I picked them up, and I’m so glad I didn’t listen to people who had no personal experience raising similar age puppies. There are many positive articles about it and really good pointers to help you raise adaptable, affectionate, balanced dogs.

 

[kurat]

@beaconlight94 Do research on littermate syndrome. Either take one puppy back to the person you got it from, or rehome it yourself. It is a mega commitment to try and raise 2 siblings for the long haul. Often it ends up causing serious behavioral issues in both dogs if they are kept together.

 

[boatjourney]

@beaconlight94 Two puppies is about four times the work! It’s doable but intense.

 

[joshuasamuelquiroz]

@beaconlight94 My bostie is a return due to littermate syndrome.

 

[patriciaaa]

@beaconlight94 Hi! My husband and I adopted two male Yorkies from the same litter. They are one year old today! It’s like having twin babies at first. It gets better I think this past week my little monsters have been much calmer. Separate crates is a good call. We waited too long to separate them. We finally did this when they started fighting a lot. My advice: treats, lots of treats. And plastic water bottles!

 

[patriciaaa]

Forgot to add: playpens and baby gates are your friends!