Raising Two Puppies Together: Tips for Harmonious Growth

Bringing not just one, but two furry bundles of joy into your home might sound like double the fun, right? As an experienced dog trainer, people ask me all the time if raising two puppies together is a good idea.

Honestly? It’s usually a recipe for disaster. This doesn't mean it can't be done, but you need a realistic view of the challenges of puppy training simultaneously.

Why Raising Two Puppies Together Is So Hard

First, let's understand why having two puppies is exponentially harder than one.

Imagine trying to teach two toddlers to share, use the potty, and refrain from biting all while they’re egging each other on. This is the puppy equivalent. Two puppies form an strong bond, often becoming more focused on each other than on you.

This ‘doggy’ dynamic makes training and bonding with each puppy individually really hard. This means less attention on your commands and more on their rambunctious play that quickly becomes difficult to manage.

You also have an increased risk of behavioural problems down the line. It’s much harder to establish a good pack structure when you are raising two puppies together.

The Pack Mentality Mayhem

Dogs, even tiny fluffballs, are pack animals. Now, amplify this natural pack drive because they've got a built-in buddy from day one. When you are raising two puppies together, even sibling puppies, establishing yourself as the firm, but loving pack leader is essential, but also more difficult.

Puppies might see each other as their primary playmates and companions, undermining your leadership role. This can lead to them struggle with basic dog obedience and behaviour problems. Even more difficult when multiple dogs are fully grown.

You might even find yourself needing extra training supplies or help from dog trainers if things get out of hand.

The Competition Conundrum

Think resource guarding over a favourite chew toy is tough with one pup? Try two. Food bowls, toys, even attention from you becomes a potential competition zone. Constant vigilance is needed to manage these situations before they escalate into a free-for-all.

While some competition can be healthy, it can easily tip into possessiveness and aggression, which can be a nightmare to address. It’s not just toys and food you have to worry about, this can even happen with simple things like dog crates.

Socialisation Suffers

Socialisation means exposing your pup to various sights, sounds, people, and especially other dogs, which is crucial during puppyhood. This is hard enough for a pet owner with one puppy, let alone two.

But when you're raising two puppies simultaneously, they may become overly reliant on each other, potentially leading to fear or aggression towards unfamiliar dogs or people. This can be the start of major behaviour problems.

Separate socialisation is essential, meaning twice the effort, but is vital for well-adjusted dogs. They also need time to learn how to interact with other dogs appropriately.

Tips for Raising Two Puppies Together

Despite the challenges, I know some of you are heart-set on a two-puppy household. With careful planning and consistent effort, raising two well-adjusted dogs is possible. So, how do you navigate these potential puppy pitfalls? It comes down to a few things:

Individual Attention is Key

Think of this as double the love, but also, double the work. Puppies raised together need dedicated one-on-one time with you for training, playtime, and cuddles. Training sessions are critical to help puppies grow, and develop an understanding of basic commands.

It’s the best way to build those strong, individual bonds and help to prevent separation anxiety down the line. It's like having two kids in different grades - both need their own individual time for homework help. Make sure you are giving them plenty of separate play time.

Crate Training Is Your Best Friend

Remember the 'separate but equal' approach? Crates are your saving grace when you are raising two puppies together. Giving them their own safe space prevents constant competition and enforces that 'me time' even when you can’t supervise. It’ll save your sanity and your furniture.

It’s not cruel, think of it as their own little puppy apartments. It can also prevent potential conflicts between the puppies and give them a chance to decompress.

Make sure each has their own designated crate to keep the puppies seperate, and allow them to spend time in it throughout the day.

Staggered Dog Training

Training puppies is hard enough and trying to teach two puppies 'sit' at the same time is a recipe for, well, chaos. Especially if you have an older dog vying for attention. Instead, train them separately to prevent distractions and let each puppy develop their skills.

It'll also give you time to address individual needs without the other pup stealing the show…or the dog treats. You can even have other family members get involved and help out with training.

Prevent Littermate Syndrome

This behavioural issue is common in puppies from the same litter raised together. These litter mates become overly dependent, anxious when separated, and may even exhibit aggression. This happens because the puppies are always together and don't learn to be independent.

You can help to prevent littermate syndrome by providing lots of individual attention, socialising them separately, and establishing clear boundaries and routines. It is also a good idea to make sure they sleep separately.

Signs of Littermate Syndrome How to Prevent Littermate Syndrome
- Excessive anxiety when separated even for a short time.
- Following each other constantly.
- Difficulty learning basic commands or focusing during training when separated.
- Whining or barking when separated.
- Fighting that results in injury.
- Separate their play time for at least an hour each day.
- Provide separate training and puppy play sessions. 
- Crate train them in separate crates.
- Feed them in separate rooms.
- Keep puppies separate for some walks walks and try separate training classes.
- Feed dog food separately.


Conclusion

Raising two puppies together can feel like herding cats—chaotic and challenging. However, armed with the right information and realistic expectations, it is achievable. You must provide individual attention, training, socialisation, and plenty of love for solid relationship building.

This journey will undoubtedly test your patience, but the bond you nurture with your furry companions can be twice as rewarding. Raising two puppies together can be a wild ride, but with the right approach, you can raise two happy and well-adjusted dogs.