Introduction
Raising sibling puppies together can have both advantages and disadvantages. While it may seem appealing to adopt littermates so they can keep each other company, there are important considerations to weigh first. Sibling puppies often form strong bonds with each other that can impede proper socialization and training. However, with plenty of early socialization, training, and attention from owners, siblings can thrive together. It takes extra effort, but can be very rewarding. This article will overview the key pros, cons, and tips for successfully raising puppy siblings under the same roof.
Pros of Raising Siblings
One of the biggest pros of raising puppies from the same litter is the strong bond they share from puppyhood. According to PetHelpful.com, “Having a sibling around full time to roughhouse with and chase around helps puppies burn off excess energy in appropriate ways. Play fighting with a littermate also helps them learn bite inhibition.” Having a built-in playmate can make raising energetic puppies much easier.
Another advantage is that siblings already have that familiarity with each other. As Company of Animals explains, “Growing up together, they are likely to feel more relaxed and reassured by each other’s presence.” The companionship between siblings can help ease the transition of bringing the puppies into a new home environment.
Cons of Raising Siblings
Raising siblings dogs together can lead to some cons, including increased rivalry and competition between the pups. This is sometimes referred to as “littermate syndrome” (https://k9behavioralservices.com/littermate-syndrome/). Littermate syndrome occurs because the sibling pups bond very closely to each other rather than humans. They can become overly dependent on each other, leading to fearfulness when separated.
Dogs affected by littermate syndrome often exhibit signs like aggression towards other dogs or people, anxiety when separated, difficulty learning obedience commands, and lack of confidence. According to dog behaviorists, sibling pups should be adopted into separate homes whenever possible to avoid littermate syndrome. If raised together, special steps should be taken to prevent bonding issues.
Owners of sibling dogs may notice constant fighting or competition over toys, food, and human affection. The rivalry can become dangerous, leading to aggressive fights. Siblings may also “gang up” on other pets in the home. These behaviors stem from unclear boundaries and lack of confidence in the sibling pair (https://www.thewildest.com/dog-behavior/dont-take-two-littermates).
Preventing littermate syndrome requires early intervention, separate training sessions, and one-on-one time with each pup. Sibling dogs should be frequently separated to strengthen bonding with their human family. However, rivalry issues may still occur despite best efforts.
Reducing Rivalry
One of the most important ways to reduce rivalry between dog siblings is to separate resources and give them individual attention. This means keeping food bowls, water bowls, beds, and toys in separate areas so the dogs don’t have to compete for them (vcahospitals.com). Feeding the dogs in separate rooms can also help prevent food aggression and resource guarding.
It’s crucial to walk, train, and play with the siblings separately. Taking them on separate walks allows you to bond one-on-one and prevents leash aggression. Training them individually helps reinforce obedience and prevents competition. Playing with toys with them individually reduces jealousy and redirects frustration onto the toy instead of their sibling (prideandgroom.com).
Giving each dog focused individual attention helps them feel secure. Make a habit of petting, praising, and interacting with each sibling separately every day. This will fulfill their needs for affection and activity.
Housetraining Considerations
Housetraining multiple puppies requires starting with separate routines and schedules to prevent accidents. Puppies from the same litter often develop a habit of “following the leader” and going potty together. This becomes an issue if one puppy has an accident and the others join in. It’s important to establish a system where each puppy has their own potty schedule, even if they share the same home.
Establish separate feeding times and separate potty trips right from the start. Take each puppy out individually on a consistent schedule, whether it’s every hour for young pups or every 4-6 hours for older ones. Praise and reward each pup individually when they go potty in the right spot. Have separate crates to contain accidents and give the pups space from each other.
Accidents will still happen with young puppies, so have cleaning supplies on hand. Use enzyme-based cleaners designed for pet stains and odors so the smell doesn’t encourage repeat accidents. Be patient and consistent, and eventually the pups will get the hang of it.
With diligent separate routines, even siblings can learn to potty train successfully together in one home.
Feeding Logistics
When raising sibling dogs, it’s important to feed them separately to prevent food aggression or resource guarding. Feeding dogs in separate areas of the house can help keep things calm. Use separate food bowls for each dog. If feeding them in the same room, make sure the bowls are far apart to avoid competition over food. Always supervise feeding time and do not leave multiple dogs alone with food bowls, as disagreements can happen in an instant.
As recommended in tips from this source, feed dogs one at a time, removing the bowl after each dog finishes eating before bringing the next dog to their bowl. Feed in order from least to most food motivated so the greedy one eats last.
Benefits of Separating
Separating sibling puppies can have some major advantages for their development and training. According to this source, one of the key benefits is reducing competition between the puppies. Siblings often compete for resources like food, toys, and human attention. When separated, each pup gets individual training and bonding time without having to compete with their brother or sister.
This focused one-on-one time allows for more tailored and effective training. According to experts, separated siblings are less likely to develop littermate syndrome behaviors like anxiety when apart, difficulty learning basic commands, and poor socialization with other dogs. Raising siblings separately from an early age allows their individual personalities to shine through.
Reuniting as Adults
When reuniting adult dog siblings, it’s important to do so gradually and observe their behavior carefully. Introduce them in a neutral location like a park or friend’s home, keeping them on leashes at first so you can control them. Look for signs of recognition like tail wagging, play bows, and relaxed body language.
Let them sniff and greet each other briefly at first, then increase contact time gradually over multiple meetings if reactions are positive. Be ready to intervene if one dog shows aggression or extreme over excitement. Reintroduce them at home only after several successful meetings elsewhere. Sometimes adult siblings will regress to puppy behaviors like wrestling or chasing, which is usually fine if consensual. However, monitor closely and separate if play escalates too far. With patience and proper precautions, many adult siblings can learn to coexist peacefully. (Source)
When to Keep Separated
In some cases, it may be best to permanently separate littermates. If the siblings show ongoing aggression or intense resource guarding even after training and management efforts, keeping them apart may be the safest option.
Signs that littermates should remain separated include:
- Frequent fighting that escalates into vicious attacks
- One dog repeatedly bullying or terrorizing the other
- Guarding food, toys, or other resources to the point of biting
- A persistent hierarchy where one dog asserts dominance
- Refusal to eat, play, or perform tasks with the sibling present
- Stress signals like lip licking, yawning, shaking, or panting around the sibling
If the dogs remain hostile or stressed despite your best efforts, permanent separation could be kindest for their lifelong wellbeing. They may simply be incompatible housemates. While sad for the owner, rehoming one sibling can provide each dog the opportunity to live free of fear and anxiety.
Making It Work
Raising siblings successfully requires patience, proper training, and management. While challenging, littermates can live together harmoniously with the right approach:
Have patience – raising two puppies simultaneously can be demanding. Be prepared for messes, chewing, and barking in stereo. Recognize it will take time for them to learn good behaviors. Celebrate small wins and milestones.
Invest in training – enroll the pups in puppy kindergarten and obedience classes. This socializes them to other dogs and people while instilling important skills. Consider private lessons too. Consistency is key; make sure all family members use the same commands.
Manage the environment – use baby gates to separate the siblings when unsupervised. Feed, walk, and train them apart some of the time. Crate train them to give each alone time. Provide plenty of toys and chews to avoid conflict over resources.
With concerted effort, littermates can coexist amiably. The bond between siblings creates a special dynamic, which, while requiring work, can be exceptionally rewarding.