Article: Problems Associated With Adopting Two Puppies at the Same Time

[Normo]

I have not been involved in any of the threads discussing the perils of getting two puppies at the same time, but I did read all of them. I just saw this article from Whole Dog Journal that seems to do a great job of summarizing all of the concerns with this issue. I don't think it's been posted on here before, but then again I didn't check to see if it has been

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/iss...e_16190-1.html

[myboy]

excellent excellent article, IMO should be a sticky!!

[sticksnstring]

Wow! That does pretty much sum up what it's like to live with two puppies of about the same age. My dogs are 1 month apart in age and we got them 6 weeks apart. We don't have kids and have dedicated almost all of our "free" time to training and caring for them. We love them, but it's also hard, and sometimes I can't help but wonder what it would be like if we just had Finnegan (even though I love George to pieces). We did separate training classes, separate crates, etc. Now they are in the same training class, learning to work separately together. It's a hard lesson for them, because they are very bonded to each other. They are also very bonded to us, though. If I had it to do over again, I think I'd have waited a bit longer to get George (like at least a year or more).

[HarlequinHorror]

agree, should be a sticky, maybe some people might see it before getting two pups at once

[mistified247]

I just wanted to "bump" up this thread and keep it up front for newbies, lurkers and anyone who may be considering this.

[brianmil]

Just wanted to chime in here and summarize the main objection. Raising 2 puppies at the same time interrupts normal socialization. The extreme of this is called "littermate syndrome". In littermate syndrome the 2 puppies attach to each other to the exclusion of humans and other dogs. Dogs that are not properly socialized and desensitized to different situations can become fear biters. You know the rest of this story.....

The other problems are purely logistical - much like having twins.

[myboy]

If it is not a sticky we'll all take turns on bumpin!!

[dolmod]

It's a sticky. Good article-Thanks!

[HossMom]

Great article ...

For those considering a second dog, would you get a dog that differs in age from your current one, or does it matter after a certain age?

Just curious what others though after reading this article.

[ouesi]

Another article, by a credentialed trainer, saying the same thing.
This is a recurring theme in dog training circles. Two pups of the same age rarely ends well....
http://thepuppynannyponders.blogspot...-than-one.html

[Arienrhod11]

Littermates

I think part of the issue does also relate to the personalities of the puppies. I have littermates and they have bonded wonderfully with us as well as each other.
I have to add a caveat that you should not get littermates if you don't have the time to spend with them - and CERTAINLY not if you think that they will "entertain each other", because that WILL result in problems!

[SAMom]

My puppies are three days apart in age, though we adopted them five weeks apart, and I have not had a single one of these problems. While they love to play together, they certainly are not co-dependent. They spend a lot of time playing by themselves and with my other dog (who is never excluded if she wants to join in the fun). They are both extremely bonded to the humans in their lives. Perhaps because I am home all the time and have a lot of opportunity for one-on-one attention, or I was just blessed with good dogs, but I really haven't found the downside of having two puppies at once.

[DaneFolly]

My puppies are three days apart in age, though we adopted them five weeks apart, and I have not had a single one of these problems. While they love to play together, they certainly are not co-dependent. They spend a lot of time playing by themselves and with my other dog (who is never excluded if she wants to join in the fun). They are both extremely bonded to the humans in their lives. Perhaps because I am home all the time and have a lot of opportunity for one-on-one attention, or I was just blessed with good dogs, but I really haven't found the downside of having two puppies at once.

How old are your dogs now?

[SAMom]

They are just over seven months old.

[DaneFolly]

They are just over seven months old.

Well please give us an update when your pups get through the "teenage" months and let us know if your smooth sailing continued. It's difficult to draw any definitive conclusions when the pups are just now reaching the age for sexual maturity.