Adopting sibling dogs together can have many benefits. Two puppies from the same litter provide constant companionship and built-in playmates (Pros And Cons Of Having Two Dogs From The Same Litter). They can keep each other occupied and provide emotional support so neither feels lonely (Pros and Cons of Raising Two Littermate Puppies). Having litter mates makes socialization easier since the puppies have each other for comfort in new situations. Overall, many owners find great joy in watching sibling puppies play and grow up together.
Bond Between Littermates
Puppies from the same litter share an especially strong bond. According to Veterinary Partner, littermate syndrome refers to behaviors that can develop when two puppies from the same litter are raised together (https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102897&Id=11564754). This tight bond begins in the womb and continues as the puppies grow. Siblings play, eat, sleep and explore the world together from birth, forming an intense attachment. K9 Behavioral Services explains that even non-sibling puppies placed together can exhibit littermate syndrome when adopting a puppy within 6 months of age of another (https://k9behavioralservices.com/littermate-syndrome/). Experts advise monitoring sibling puppies closely for signs of an overly dependent relationship as they mature.
Easier Transition
Bringing home sibling puppies together can make the transition to a new home easier on them. Puppies are social creatures and like to be with other dogs they know. Having a sibling around in an unfamiliar environment provides them comfort and security. According to the article “Sibling Puppies in the Same Home” on Meyer’s Pet Care website, “Being introduced to a new home can already be a challenging and scary time for a puppy. It helps when they have their brother or sister with them. The sibling puppy provides a sense of safety and reassurance.” Siblings that enter a new home together don’t have to cope with the stress of the change alone. They can rely on each other for support.
Reduced Stress
Having a sibling to share the experience with is thought to reduce anxiety and stress levels in puppies transitioning to their new home. Littermates offer companionship and comfort to one another as they adjust to their new environment, routines, and people (Meyer’s Tailsup Farm). Being separated from their mother and littermates for the first time can be an extremely stressful experience for young puppies, but having a familiar playmate alongside can provide reassurance and alleviate this stress substantially. Sibling pups tend to rely on each other for security which may minimize fearful or anxious behaviors like whining, chewing, and soiling accidents in the house. According to experts, when puppies have a bonded companion with them, they will feel less alone which reduces feelings of anxiety and distress (The Company of Animals).
Overall, puppies with a sibling are likely to have an easier time adapting to changes and taking things in their stride. The security and confidence fostered by their relationship helps lower stress levels and prevents dogs from becoming over-dependent on their human owners (The Company of Animals).
Built-In Playmates
One of the benefits of adopting siblings or littermates is that they often make great built-in playmates for each other. Puppies and young dogs have a lot of energy and require plenty of playtime and exercise. Siblings will likely enjoy playing together and be able to burn off some of that boundless puppy energy by entertaining each other. Having a sibling around provides them with a readily available playmate and can reduce boredom or anxiety when left alone. According to the AKC article “Should You Adopt Two Puppies at Once?” https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/should-you-adopt-two-puppies-at-once/, pairs of puppy siblings can often be observed playing together, providing social interaction, exercise, and entertainment.
Training Considerations
When getting sibling puppies, it’s important to consider how you will handle their training. Joint training allows the puppies to learn together, while separate training helps them build independence. According to Meyer’s Pet Care, you should do some training separately and other training together.
Doing obedience training separately will help each puppy learn to focus on you, rather than always relying on their sibling. It’s recommended to start separate training after about 2-3 days at home. You can substitute one daily play session with solo training for each pup. This allows you to bond one-on-one and prevents littermate syndrome, where the puppies become overly reliant on each other.
You’ll also want to do some joint training, such as teaching them to walk nicely on leash together. This allows them to learn in the environment they’ll be in regularly. Other good joint training includes tricks, socialization outings, and games like fetch. The key is finding a balance between joint and solo training for sibling pups.
Watch for Rivalry
It’s common for littermates or other sibling dogs in a household to develop some degree of rivalry as they mature (source). This is often referred to as “sibling syndrome” or “littermate syndrome.” As puppies grow into adolescence and adulthood, competition can arise around resources like food, toys, space, and attention from owners. One dog may try to assert dominance over the other, which can result in aggression in the form of fighting, biting, resource guarding, and bullying.
Some signs of sibling rivalry to watch for include tension or posturing around resources, outright fighting and aggression, avoidance behaviors by the more submissive dog, destructive behaviors when separated, and obsessive attachment behaviors. Owners should be prepared to intervene and manage sibling dogs carefully to prevent rivalry from escalating into a serious problem. Proper training, one-on-one bonding time, designated personal spaces, and clear structure are important for maintaining harmony.
Separation Planning
If you decide to separate your sibling dogs in the future, it’s important to do so gradually to ease the transition. Start with short periods of separation where each dog has their own fun activity or toy to focus on. Feed them in separate areas and slowly move their crates or beds further apart over time. As recommended by DogTime, “Start small. Leave the dogs alone for short periods before you leave them overnight. Crate them in separate rooms. Then work up to leaving them loose in separate rooms.”
Some other tips for eventually separating sibling dogs include:
- Introduce separate daily walks and one-on-one playtime with each dog.
- Give each dog their own space, bed, crate and bowls.
- Stick to a consistent routine when you’re gone to avoid anxiety.
- Use calming aids like pheromone diffusers if needed.
- Be patient and move at the dogs’ pace without forcing interactions.
While littermates often share an unbreakable bond, separation may become necessary as they mature if rivalry or codependent behaviors emerge. Planning ahead makes this transition easier on both sibling dogs.
The Right Match
When adopting sibling puppies, it’s crucial that their energy levels, size, and temperaments are a good match for your lifestyle and living situation. As the Whole Dog Journal explains, “Two high-energy, dominant puppies can overwhelm an owner.” 1 Both puppies should have calm, biddable temperaments that mesh with your personality. Furthermore, their predicted adult size should suit your home, yard size, and ability to transport them together.
Take the time to meet and interact with each puppy separately. Ensure they don’t exhibit signs of aggression or anxiety when separated from each other. Well-matched, bold puppies do better together than timid ones prone to fear. In addition, prioritize adopting same-sex siblings when possible, as this dynamic tends to work better than a brother-sister pair.
Most importantly, the pups should complement your lifestyle. For a laidback household, mellow siblings are ideal. In a very active home, higher drive puppies can thrive. The keys are understanding your needs and finding a personality match. With the right temperaments and energy levels, sibling dogs can be wonderful additions to an attentive, prepared family.
Conclusion
In summary, there are pros and cons to adopting sibling dogs. The main advantages are the pre-existing bond, reduced stress from having a companion, built-in playmates, and easier training in some areas like bite inhibition. However, considerations need to be made around potential increased rivalry, the need for separate training and socialization, and proper planning for any future separation. With proper preparation, training and management, many sibling dogs can live happily together. The most important factors are picking a compatible match and providing what each individual dog needs. While there are certainly challenges, the rewards of their lifelong bond can make raising sibling dogs very rewarding.
