Lasareina Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 We got our two pups about 3 weeks apart from seperate litters ... we both work full time and didn;t think it was fair for one dog to be left alone for the 8 or so hours a day minimum that we would not be home. We also wanted to go through the 'puppy stage' once like someone else mentioned with the twin idea :laugh: It has worked out pretty well for us - we don't have any major issues although we do find it is better to seperate them to do one on one training or they get distracted quite easily. However, I am guilty of what someone said earlier about taking them both to the vet together - I now have to work on correcting this problem, caused by not thinking the consequences through earlier. That being said, I think it is me that stresses most about seperating them - I think the pups are quite ok with it. Overall, they are best of friends, and so much happier than I think they would be if we just had the one puppy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckybecbec Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Oh we even go to the vet together when we can... so they don't associate all visits with negative experiences... Once a week or so we will leave either/or alone at home while we take one out to the grandparents or something. And we can log into our networked "Pet Cam" to make sure the one at home is not freaking put. So far so good *shrug* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marion 01 Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 The two bitches in my avatar are litter sisters and have just turned 11 months old, and I have 4 litter sisters from a litter that shouldn't have happened nearly 11 years ago which we kept. What is wrong with having multiple dogs, they live with us and are loved equally, and I have always subscribed to the theory that it is better to have more than one so that they can be company for each other, being of the same species. I can't understand your reasoning MissyMoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lasareina Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Oh we even go to the vet together when we can... so they don't associate all visits with negative experiences... Once a week or so we will leave either/or alone at home while we take one out to the grandparents or something. And we can log into our networked "Pet Cam" to make sure the one at home is not freaking put. So far so good *shrug* That's a good point I hadn't thought of... my pups absolutely LOVE going to the vet (weirdos) so that may well be part of it! I also think that since my partner and I own the dogs as a couple, it works well with the two dogs where as if it was me by myself I think would struggle to give both the amount of attention that they get now, if that makes any sense. As it is, Juno really bonded with my OH and Hunter really bonded with me, and we both get to have a pup to cuddle with on the couch and walk, train etc without the other human feeling left out (like what happened with the single cat who completely ignored me, and loved my OH) :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Yes - a generalisation that doesn't always ring true. I have brother and sister from my last litter with no issues at all. I had two brothers go to another home together with no dramas (except that one was a bit naughty sometimes - just him, his brother was more of a calming influence than anything!), and a brother and sister go to another home together with huge success. Depends on the home, the owner, the experience and the individual dogs. Yes they stay close, but not inseparable. And yes they can be mischievous, what young dogs can't?? My two older half sisters - 4 & 5 years old - are just as close, and yes sometimes just as naughty... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 As far as littermates go, breed is a factor too. I'd not recommend anyone get littermates for a number of reasons but there are some breeds where getting littermates can be a disaster. Having two dogs so that the dog spends less time completely alone is not a bad thing in most cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Something to remember when adding two litter mates to your family is that they will also be two elderly litter mates together. This could mean double the expense of an elderly dog and also, sadly the chance of losing them within a short time of each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missymoo Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 As far as littermates go, breed is a factor too. I'd not recommend anyone get littermates for a number of reasons but there are some breeds where getting littermates can be a disaster. Having two dogs so that the dog spends less time completely alone is not a bad thing in most cases. I replied thoughtfully dont worry, I suggested at least 6 month gap and to make sure the breeds were compatible... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 I don't think two pups at the same time is automatically fraught with danger. Plenty of breeders run on 2 or more pups at a time for several months. If you have you head screwed on straight and, depending on the breed, it can work out quite well. I agree totally. I kept a brother and sister from my last litter. They're wonderful together but not obsessive about it. That being said I was very careful about training them to except being apart early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 (edited) I'm pretty sure that from a dog's perspective it beats complete isolation in a back yard for animals left alone 24/7. Like a lot of ideas though, it has to be thought through carefully and generally isn't. I've certainly seen a few littermates that the owners left to their own devices rather than taking the time to socialise and train them independently. The result has been problematic. So much depends on how its handled but I'd certainly not recommend it to most folk. Edited October 1, 2013 by Haredown Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rozzie Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 We brought home littermates. He was mine and she was Mr R's. No dramas. They were GSDs and we couldn't have asked for a more balanced pair of dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 It really depends on the owner and the temperaments of the 2 pups - and does the owner realise that with 2, they are in for double the trouble - or double the fun... it's all relative, isn't it? I wouldn't blanket ban the practice - but it needs to be done with care and consideration of the needs of both pups. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Can't see a problem as long as its not because the owners can't be bothered with them. I have almost always kept animals in 2's when I wasn't breeding, cats, dogs, birds, mice, rabbits etc as I think its nice for them to have a friend of their own species as well as human companions. Never found it a problem re training, bonding etc & as for the separation thing why seperate unless one is injured or ill & then it just has to be dealt with as needed. Some people can't cope with one dog I agree but that is not because having 2 is difficult. Its the person not the 2 thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackJaq Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 It will be interesting to see which of the pups that currently are doing great will have issues in a few months... I'm not being sarcastic but I can't help but notice that some of you have already mentioned problems with your pups.... Those owning older dogs who grew up together obviously made it work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I've run on pairs of pups to six months a couple times. Never was a problem. The pups do like the company . . . though they get into more stuff and dig deeper holes when there are two. Don't a lot of breeders do this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 It will be interesting to see which of the pups that currently are doing great will have issues in a few months... I'm not being sarcastic but I can't help but notice that some of you have already mentioned problems with your pups.... Those owning older dogs who grew up together obviously made it work I'll report back! So far so good though. Everyone is happy and well and no naughtier than one! (I've jinxed myself now, I bet! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah82 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 We've had ours for a few months now and ok they're not puppies but all we've ever had is this.... and this.. and this.. and then this.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lasareina Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 we have the typical puppy dramas of chewing everything to pieces ... that is our only major issue at the moment. I am actually confused as to whether this is something that we should just accept as part of the puppy stage (although they are more adolescents now I suppose) or if it is something that we should have been able to put a stop to? I don't think this issue is a result of having 2 though... although they probably compound the end results with twice as many teeth going into the effort I suppose. It is possible they would chew more if they were a single dog - instead of chasing each other around like loonies or wressling on the couch they would be bored and of looking for mischeif. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lasareina Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 aww so cute Leah ... my 2 share their bed as well, although Hunter takes up twice as much room :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah82 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 ours will insist on sharing a bed no matter how small it is :) Will be interesting to see if things change in summer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now