In the cases I’ve witnessed, the puppies have not been raised in the same household, but have seen each other regularly throughout adolescence at dog shows, family events, etc, and upon social maturity (or in one case earlier) these … Many experts including trainers, behaviourist, breeders and rescues these days are discouraging people to take on canine siblings. Extreme co-dependence leads to separation anxiety, which sometimes gets so severe that the dogs can't even be walked separately just a few feet apart without complete emotional meltdowns. This does not mean the usual behavioural issues a puppy will normally have, but a jumble of behaviours including fear, anxiety and aggression. These littermates then become dependent on one another for almost literally EVERYTHING. There is strong evidence for littermate syndrome. Separation anxiety. Has Littermate Syndrome Been Studied by Scientists? As opposed to raising two puppies from the different litters, how to raise two puppies successfully from the same litter can be an even bigger challenge. Anecdotally, in raising litters of puppies, I have seen a tendency toward aggression between same sex littermates in both my breeds, Border Collies and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Your puppies should do everything separately: The goal isn't to have your dogs living together in the same house completely unaware of the other's existence like some cheesy, straight to DVD long-lost sibling movie. These include a fear of strangers, both human and canine; a fear of … “Littermate syndrome in dogs occurs when two puppies from the same litter living together develop such a strong attachment to each other that it interferes with their ability to interact in a normal manner with other people, other dogs, or any situation where they are not together,” says Collier. That is just speculation and is probably not true unless the puppies grew up together from birth. For a few minutes when they first go outside (from their crates), they play with each other to the exclusion of anyone or anything else. The title of this post is a bit strong, but I do want to caution people from adopting two dogs from the same litter because “it’s easier” to raise two at once (ask someone with twins if it’s easier than having one child) or “we don’t want our dog to be lonely.” (Because you might be if the dogs are so enchanted with each other that they ignore you). "Littermate Syndrome" refers to any undesired behavior expressed by a pet (usually a dog) that was raised with another animal from its own litter. Early training is so important in your dog's development, so small mistakes at this juncture can make everything 100 times worse down the road. Raising two puppies from different litters is a challenge, but not quite as huge of an undertaking as raising two puppies from the same litter. These common problems, which I'll describe below, stem from improper socialization during a puppy's crucial first 6 months. If you are determined to adopt canine siblings, you must be aware of the risks. Now that your dogs can deal with being apart, it's time to give them separate obedience training. The most common reason why people rehome a dog is for safety reasons. In fact, there has … When two puppies are raised together beyond their first 3 months, they can form a deeply co-dependent relationship that insulates them from the outside world. Perhaps we’d be better off not answering at all instead of providing such sweeping statements. Outside their bond, other dogs don't speak the same language. Unless you're truly up for the challenge of raising two puppies separately, just get one. The best vitamins and supplements for senior dogs, 8 experts share their best dog training tips, The fully accessible guide to training an emotional support dog, Here's how to give special dogs a special home, The best cat backpack carriers, according to travelers, The cost of a cat, from adoption to emergencies, objections is that new owners with sibling dogs will jump to the re-homing solution, an accepted phenomenon observed and treated by professionals, What I learned from fostering a puppy during COVID-19, How to crush the first thirty days with your new puppy, What to do if you already adopted littermates, Here are the 13 most important questions to ask when adopting a dog. Also, start as early as possible — day one if possible. This means you'll need two properly-sized crates. But assuming you aren't dealing with severe aggression, there are some things you can try with two goals in mind: The most important work, especially at the beginning, takes place when your dogs are separated to help them build their confidence and independence. That's when you spot the adorable pair of puppies clumsily tumbling on the ground as they wrestle for control of a small stuffed duck. A litter is the live birth of multiple offspring at one time in animals from the same mother and usually from one set of parents, particularly from three to eight offspring. If you're worried that your dogs are struggling with Littermate Syndrome, talk to your vet or reach out to trainers and behaviorists in your area to discuss the proper course of action for your unique situation. Right? While adopting two Littermates is not often recommended, it can be done IF you know what you are getting … Watching sweeping statements come in about “Littermate Syndrome” (like, “it will get worse” or “most dogs in this situation end up in a shelter”), I realized that I might be doing a disservice to people by giving incomplete answers. They have perceived hierarchies in their brains. Littermate Syndrome (sometimes called Sibling Puppy Syndrome) refers to issues that are more likely to arise when puppies from the same litter (or puppies from different litters under 6 months of age) are raised in the same household together. Littermate syndrome is a social 'disorder' characterized by intensive bonding of two littermates to the extent of excluding most animals and people out of their own social circle. There's no set timeline for how long this takes, but it can take over a year before unbonded littermates can be trained together. More specifically, it seems that the behaviour problems reported to surface in siblings homed together fall into four main categories: 1. The idea is that the pre-existing dog limits the two new puppies from bonding solely with each other. Your good intentions could backfire. It's because of their animal instinct and pack mentality. Again, it isn't like your dogs never see each other during this whole process, but only after they can be content apart and train apart should you consider reintroducing shared activities like dog park trips and doubled-up obedience training. Something went wrong while submitting the form. This includes taking your dogs on separate walks and having them sleep in separate crates. Confidence can be taught — and is key to a happy pupper. If you have two puppies, Littermate Syndrome isn't some fated, foregone conclusion. We even took to Reddit to see what life anecdotes were out there. Because each puppy comes from the encounter of a father’s sperm cell and one of the mother’s eggs, if the female is penetrated by several males and she holds their semen inside her uterus, she may have her eggs sired by different males. Dog adoption of any kind is a very big and complicated undertaking that is better handled on a situation-by-situation basis. Basically, you are teaching your dogs how to be OK without their sibling who they have a natural and deep bond with. Having two dogs however, will eliminate these 2 problems. Littermate syndrome is the term used when two sibling pups, or two pups from different litters but of similar age, are raised in the same household and start to develop behavioural issues. It is important to realize, however, that littermate … As the name suggests, littermate syndrome generally exists in two puppies from the same litter, however it can also be present when two puppies of a similar age are raised together. Beyond teaching them to be apart and training them individually, it's important to approach each dog as their own separate dog. These common problems, which I'll describe below, stem from improper socialization during a puppy's crucial first 6 months. Dachshunds, Terriers, Border Collies, and Shepherds are often cited as having a high propensity for littermate syndrome, but there is no clear scientific evidence that certain breeds experience littermate syndrome more or less than other breeds. Most would encourage new owners to adopt a single puppy who suits their lifestyle and to focus on the training and socialization that strengthens the interspecies bond unique to humans and dogs. Signs of Littermate Syndrome. Littermate syndrome affects dogs over 8-10 weeks of age, which is typically when young puppies join their forever homes. Two puppies from separate litters, however, will bond with you as well as each other. They have completely different personalities and will require different approaches to training accordingly. Your dogs can still see, smell, and touch each other, but they'll have a physical barrier between them. Don’t let those other online blogs tell you that you cannot. While this is a relatively common phenomenon among … Separation anxiety and general fearfulness can take a serious toll on your dog's mental health. We’ll wait. One of the most common signs of littermate syndrome is fearfulness around people or dogs. Behaviour problems that arise in one or more of these siblings are then labelled “Littermate Syndrome”. Whenever some new, scary thing presents itself, your dogs retreat to the safety of their bond and fail to grow through their new experiences. Thew two puppies don’t actually have to be from the same litter to develop “littermate” syndrome. Instead, go slow. ‘Syndrome’ is a scary word, so it’s important to understand what the littermate syndrome can mean and what can be done about it. Over the years, I can recall at least 4 pairs of dogs brought in as 8-week-old puppies and raised as 1 inseparable canine entity. As a result, dogs with Littermate Syndrome are fearful of anything new, including both dogs and people. The dogs could also become aggressive towards each other, especially if they are both female. But there are ways to stop your clingy “velcro dog” from sticking to your side. This is when you do all of the things I mentioned in the "How To Avoid Littermate Syndrome" section above. Aggression isn't as common as the others on this list, but it's definitely the most serious. Often, when an owner cannot address the aggression with their two dogs, they will be forced to rehome one of the dogs. Dogs learn from repeated positive experiences, so give your separated dogs a frozen Kong, their favorite toy, or anything else of high value to distract them from their feelings. For info specific to housetraining, here’s our handy step-by-step guide. It’s not a conspiracy theory against puppies, but an accepted phenomenon observed and treated by professionals. Because the puppies may bond so closely with each other that it makes bonding with their human caretakers and other dogs more difficult. This is called “littermate syndrome.” Be sure to get them separate crates. Littermate Syndrome and why you should take it seriously! The only “littermate syndrome” I’ve experienced is the way they play with each other. Not every pair of dog siblings will experience littermate syndrome, but there is no way for a potential pet owner to know that. You CAN adopt two littermates and bring home two puppies from the same litter at the same time. Aggression should never be taken lightly or overlooked. The problem is that their relationship with each other can stop them from creating proper bonds with humans and hinder their … That over-broad description alone should cause anyone with a training in science to wince. The two had been … However, some dog owners have raised multiple pairs of siblings without incident. (But experts recommend you wait at least one year to allow your first dog to grow and settle into its new home and routine.). There isn’t aggression or behavioral problems between them. There are explanations as to why behaviour problems may seem more common or obvious among siblings. Don’t you think that any 2 pups will struggle with the possibility of littermate syndrome whether they are 2 pups from the same breed and litter OR 2 pups the same age but different litters and/or breeds even. Email this page. Reply. It can affect both male and female puppies and frequently leads to one of the … They are typically very fearful and have poor social and learning skills. You will need to double your training efforts in instilling … Often, the extreme bonding can lead to training and socialization issues that may cause unhappy adopters to return one pup. Although littermate syndrome doesn’t develop every time two puppies are raised together, it is common enough that we warn against getting two puppies at the same time. Only when they're fine being crated separately for 30-60 minutes should you try to crate them out of sight of each other. This bond and the personality traits and training challenges associated, is littermate syndrome Littermate syndrome is when two puppies from the same litter are raised in the same home and develop a bond with each other. They love each other so much! The email described a familiar scenario: “We were planning to adopt one puppy, but the breeder said that raising two sisters would be easier. These littermates are dependent on each other and suffer severe separation anxiety. Although littermate syndrome doesn’t develop every time two puppies are raised together, it is common enough that we warn against getting two puppies at the same time. Dog training issues. Two puppies of similar ages can become just as co-dependant as two from the same litter. It isn't impossible to correct (some tips below), but it's much easier to prevent your pups from forming this co-dependent relationship from the start. Some pet owners may find that formal training classes are required. No matter how hard you wish, your dog won’t stay puppy-size forever. If one puppy requires work, then you need to be ready to work yourself out in handling two puppies. But I also often see people claiming that littermate syndrome applies to dogs that are not actually littermates, i.e. Two puppies, twice the fun. Ultimately, at its most extreme, one will die before the other, which can be emotionally catastrophic to the surviving sibling. It takes time, but slow and steady wins the race. Your submission has been received! The most common definition is that it is when two puppies from the same litter are raised together and develop a bond with each other that prevents the puppies from bonding with the owner. You've made up your mind. This is crucial, because correcting Littermate Syndrome is much easier during this window compared to when your dogs are older: Basically, look for anything that doesn't present as normal puppy development. Also, in some cases, two dogs from the same litter may turn out OK. Some owners have even had to separate and rehome one of the siblings to protect the submissive one. This is especially true when considering adopting two puppies from the same litter. ADVERTISEMENT. Littermate Syndrome and why you should take it seriously! 4 Early Warning Signs of Littermate Syndrome. After a few minutes, they are happy to play with my other dogs and listen to me. ANSWER: Two dogs from the same parents are brother and sister regardless of whether they are from the same litter or different litters. Littermate Syndrome is a serious problem dog owners face, and with your busy life it can be hard to find the time to raise two puppies properly while avoiding all of the little moments throughout the day that can snowball into bigger problems down the line. It’s also been “proven” that raw feeding is dangerous for the dogs and their humans. By Nicole Wilde. Your co-dependent dogs struggle to pay attention to anything else. I could Google this to see if I can find studies, but I don’t put a lot of stock in the scientific evidence we can find online. Remember, you're looking for these issues when your dogs are 3-6 months old. Doggie psychology and brain chemistry, much like our own, is complicated. Other issues cited are escalating aggression between the puppies or panic when they are separated. This has … What is the science behind Littermate Syndrome? Experienced breeders sometimes inbreed to fix an exceptional dog's breed traits in the subsequent puppies. You walk into your local shelter or meet with the awesome breeder your friend recommended to find a new fur friend to take home. French bulldog coat color genetics (101) Can you have two puppies from the same litter? Any time there's a new, stressful stimulus, your dogs will retreat to the comfort of their relationship, unwilling and unable to deal with anything new. Let's talk about Littermate Syndrome. My husband and I could not get their attention for more than a second or two—it was as if we weren’t even in the same room. Well research produced has suggested that the potential for behavioural issues arising is higher during key development periods in siblings due to their deep routed bond. If you’ve ever experienced raising a puppy, you know how … But this is just my own individual experience. Two is harder, but two whose focus is only on their sibling is way worse. Dog siblings may play rougher with one another, and this can cause severe injuries. While siblings blessed with extraordinary genes and socialization-forward owners may avoid littermate syndrome, the consensus among canine professionals is that it’s not worth the risk. Essentially, the more you get each dog comfortable with being alone, the better. But the amount of time it takes for dogs to reach their final size varies. Each dog is an individual with their own experiences and quirks which shape how they regard and cope with the world around them. One of the things you should be aware of is that two puppies demand double the attention. As such, the label “Littermate Syndrome” warrants some discussion, clarification and debunking. The pups may not show obedience and will exhibit anxiety when they are separated from each other. Littermate Syndrome . The query was from a gentleman who wanted to take on two puppies from the same litter and has been advised that this could lead to 'litter-mate syndrome', which is explained as the negative affect on one of the puppies, prevented from reaching its full potential and mental development by … Just try to teach two puppies to sit at the same time. But the dogs have had three huge fights were they have been pulled apart before the male killed the female, but then when it has all … This does not mean the usual behavioural issues a puppy will normally have, but a jumble of behaviours including fear, anxiety and aggression. What makes training littermates exponentially harder? No_Gains said they had no issue outside of rougher play. This is difficult for the dogs as well as the mental health of the owner who has to make arguably a lose-lose decision. Other Redditors reported multiple issues with sibling puppies. Littermate syndrome will make training harder. The problem is that your two dogs simply can't be together all of the time. The dogs could also become aggressive towards each other, especially if they are both female. Eating, playing, walking, vet visits — each dog should learn to do these things without the other. Unfortunately, this is not a guaranteed solution to this problem. It's quite the understandable misunderstanding. Usually, one is more dominant. Following a recent query from a concerned, prospsective, owner, I thought I would take this opportunity to dispel yet another commonly held belief, one which only serves to prevent good people from taking lovely dogs into their families.
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