2 Puppies At Once?

[corrie]

So are you looking at having 3 pups together because i thought you had just got a cocker baby?? or didnt that work out

This is an old topic from months ago when ABC123 was doing her research and it just got bumped to the first page from a new post.

[Dogsfevr]

So are you looking at having 3 pups together because i thought you had just got a cocker baby?? or didnt that work out

This is an old topic from months ago when ABC123 was doing her research and it just got bumped to the first page from a new post.

Argh that explains things,couldnt be bothered reading the date posts

[Hello Gorgeous]

We've previously brought home two kittens at once, but that's a different scenario because they weren't as destructive as puppies can be, but they did bond more with each other initially which was great as they kept each other company and didn't cry at night or when they were alone.

As they grew up, they bonded more with individual humans but it's really sweet to see how they have a natural bond (they're sisters as well) and tend to stick close to each other.

I wouldn't do it with puppies because it would mean twice the headache! Although they may keep each other company and so on, it's a small reward for the 'double trouble' they could cause I'd prefer bringing in a puppy to a home where there's already a mature dog.

[Starkehre]

Hi just browsing the forum and noticed this post, I know its old and the poster has most likely decided but I'm replying with our experience with two pups for future potential dog owners thinking the same thing.

We have a 5 month old Ridgeback Max and a 4 month old Border Collie Hugo, we have both had experience with raising/owning dogs and cats previously (we are by no means experts) but never had two puppies at once. The logic for our decision was to allow the two to keep each other company during the week as we both work 8-9 hour working days.

We were aware of the possible bonding issues and to balance this out we spend alot of time with each dog seperately. This is working well and we have no regrets at all getting two pups. Saying that however it does take alot of time and depending on each individuals situation, having kids for example, this might not be possible.

They have of course bonded with each other but we have kept down the seperation anxiety and been able to train them without any major dramas. The most "fun" we've had is the slightly younger Border Collie trying to assert his dominance and occasionally trying to start a fight with the Ridgy, we keep an eye on them however during feeding time and after a walk when this happens, we can now pick the dogs body language and we seperate them before it escalates into a fight which is working well and is becoming less and less of an issue.

To ensure they are as socially independent and bond with us as much as possible we on most days will:

- walk them twice seperately, morning and night for 40-60min per walk, and have them socialise and play with other dogs

- spend 40-60min time with them inside seperately playing and teaching

- feed them seperately

Weekly make sure as soon as they are old enough they go to puppy school and continue their training as they get older. We learnt so much from doing this and have no plans to stop their weekly group training sessions any time soon!

We will rotate the dogs between us on walks, training etc. as well.

They are still young and we have a while to go before they are mature dogs, but it's working out well and we love them both. I occasionally wonder how it would be if we'd just got the one but its now a pointless thought and the reality of it is we wouldnt be without either.

In summary I think having 2 pups at the same time is fine, and it is extremely rewarding. However a few hours per day (with the occasional day off) must be set aside for each dog! If single or the only one in the house raising them, work long hours or simply cannot afford the time then I'd not suggest it.

My 2c

Dippa, you have done well, and obviously plan to continue to put in the required work to ensure it all goes well. good on you.

I do hope that your post shows others thinking of doing it that getting 2, similar age, same time is extra work if done properly, can be done but takes a lot of planning, extra time and effort.

If you don't mind, may I add a suggestion to your regime (and pardon me if you already do this), but as well as taking the dogs walking separately, it is every bit as important to practise leaving one dog at home alone whilst the other goes out walking.

Have a great weekend.

[Raelene]

I wouldn't do it either..... It is dependent on breeds however it is a LOT of work to get it right. The consequences of "partners in crime" can also be a lot to deal with if they are active, playful types. Unless you have a lot of training experience, you may find it very time consuming and at times frustrating. You need to ensure that the commitment you start with will continue until the dogs mature. I find in rescue that a lot over people over estimate their "true commitment" to their pets training. Training takes a lot of dedication and if you have a puppy it is critical to train and socialise it, for it to become a happy and balanced adult.

With regard to getting kitten and puppies separately - if you do get them at separate times it is important to ensure that puppies are well socialised with kittens/dog friendly cats as part of their normal socialisation/training regime from an early age. Even if you don't own a cat, it will lay down a great foundation for a well-balanced dog and will mean it will be easier when you do get kitty.

Like-wise if you get kitty first, try to set up plenty of positive situations with cat-friendly dogs, so that when the pup is introduced the cat isn't too overwhelmed and just becomes a "runner" which is likely to incite play or prey drives in the dog. Getting a kitten that has already been raised with dogs is good too, and a great base to start working on the socialising side.

Dippa, sounds like you are doing a great job. Possibly watch the length of walks and type of surface you are walking on for such babies, in particular the Ridgeback (large breed), as it may be a bit hard on the joints and cause arthritis later in life. Breeder and vet should be able to advise. Be very careful if you are walking on concrete.

Re the aggression issues, if the BC is deliberately starting fights at 4mths, it may be an idea to seek professional advice (recommended professional - there are lots of people/vets who may not give right advice and make it worse). Desexing is important too. Separating them may not be the answer, it is not "fixing" the problem but in a way avoiding it. If you are not there to separate, later on it could get nasty. The pup needs to know that what he is doing is not appropriate nor allowed - he needs to "learn" how to behave appropriately. To me this is a very big "red flag" situation. Many people don't seek advice early enough and it is MUCH harder to fix later and people tend to wait until the issue escalates. Aggression needs to be taken very seriously.

Good luck with your babies and so great to see you are so committed to them, keep up the good work!

R

[lucylotto]

Ok can anyone shed some light on their experiences of 2 puppies at once? I know someone told me that the toilet training would drive me nuts but I was thinking can they both be in the same crate at night to keep each other company (less crying as they have companionship) and I take them both out to toilet train at the same time? Please tell me if that is idealistic & not reality as I have no idea as I've never done two puppies at once.

Also, if you know that you will also be getting a kitten at some stage, do you time it for the same time you get the pups so that they socialise & integrate well together? Or will the pups grow up to be dogs that will then not tolerate a kitten if we don't get it at the same time as when they are pups? That sounds confusing but what I mean is, if I introduce the kitten when the dogs are already fully grown will they be aggressive?

Thanks!

We got a pup at 8 weeks and added a 4 month old that had NO training, when first pup was 6 months. Hard work. I found it challenging to train x2 dogs at once, different personalities from different sources/backgrounds with different issues. I had lots of help and support from my OH. They are close friends now and we are pretty on top of obedience (to the degree that we 'lay' people are happy with).

It is hard to train two dogs at once. .....did I say its hard...

If I did it again, I'd get one and then wait a 12-14months and then add the second. Good luck.

[Guest belgian.blue]

I waited until my first dog was around 20 months old before we added another puppy and it was the best plan ever. First dog has had nearly two years to bond with me [VERY strong bond might I add] and my new puppy adores me to bits, plus they are so happy to be around each other.

Though working out how to share my cuddles between TWO large loving dogs .. It's tough but I wouldn't have it any other way

[Just love my dogs!]

We got our Goldie puppy first and then 7 weeks later we got our Lab puppy.

There are pros and cons to the situation.

Pros

They keep each other company during the day when we are at work.

They're normally best of friends.

We got all the puppy behaviour over and done with at the same time.

Cons

They hate being apart. They're really attached to one another

It was bloody hard work raising two puppies!

Our house and back yard was totally wrecked!

[Bellatrix]

I did it.

No problems what so ever.

Training was a breeze and I would happily do it again

[Luvmy4]

We tried it with kelpie pups (working)ended up rehoming one, they were to high energy and mischieve making together led each oth astray to smart. It would depend on the pups personalities