Littermate Syndrome In Dogs: Should You Get Two Puppies At Once?

When a decision to adopt a puppy is made, it is natural to desire to adopt two puppies at once. Training two puppies together is more accessible than teaching them one after the other. However, being a responsible dog owner, there is something that you should be aware of. That is Littermate Syndrome.

When people adopt two puppies together, many a time, it is seen what they thought should have happened; exactly happened the opposite. They might have thought the training process would be easy and fast, the two pups would get along well together, and so on. Understandably, you would not want to separate the siblings and thus desire to bring both homes.

However, the bitter truth is that there are reasons why it is highly advisable not to get two puppies from the same litter. Bringing up two puppies might be challenging for dog owners, as they belong to the same litter. Therefore, they might start showing behavioral issues commonly known as Littermate Syndrome.

When people adopt two puppies, what they thought should have happened exactly the opposite happens. They might have thought the training process would be easier and faster; the two pups would get along well, etc.

Although it is much understandable that you would not want to separate the siblings and have the desire to bring both homes, the bitter truth is that there are reasons why it is highly advisable not to get two puppies from the same litter.

Bringing up two puppies might be quite a challenge for dog owners, as they belong to the same litter, and they might start showing behavioral issues commonly known as Littermate Syndrome.

Do dogs recognize their siblings?

It is a common question that comes to mind among all dog owners. Do we seldom think that dogs recognize their siblings? Well, the answer to that is Yes. Since birth, they have realized their siblings through their sense of smell. Additionally, this sense of recognition is the strongest when they are in the puppy stage.

When two pups get adopted by different families, they tend to forget the smell of their siblings after a period.

When dogs belonging to the same litter live under the same roof, they recognize each other odor even when they are grown up. Just as we humans, puppies belonging to the same litter can gel with one another from the beginning. Although the bonding might be tricky, it can strengthen or weaken over time.

Littermate Syndrome is the prime reason for the bond weakening and eventual misbehavior in puppies. The puppies with littermate syndrome will never bond well with their siblings and keep misbehaving. Now that the primary cause of littermate syndrome is explained, it is time to understand what littermate syndrome is.

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What is Littermate Syndrome?

Littermate syndrome can also be known as littermate aggression or sibling aggression. It is a non-scientific term used to refer to the behavior problems observed in the case of pups if they are brought into the same house when they are 8 to 10 weeks old.

As mentioned before, the primary meaning of littermate syndrome is behavioral issues occurring in puppies when they belong to the same litter and are adopted by one family. The puppies tend to develop strong attachments to their siblings. The extension gets strong enough to minimize the dog’s ability to interact with humans or other dogs.

Slowly, the dogs must help understand what their owner is trying to convey. In other words, they start losing the ability to follow commands. They become so dependent on one another. Hence, they do not know how to behave or respond when not together.

The prime cause is littermates bond firmly with one another. And this deep bonding is a barrier for them to understand their owner or dogs of other litters. An intense level of bond develops between the two pups. Hence, that makes it impossible for the pups to reach their optimum level of good behavior. Puppies that suffer from littermate syndrome refrain from interacting with other dogs. They only interact with their sibling and become over-dependent on each other for normalcy and safety.

Littermate syndrome is not restricted to one or a few dog breeds. It can happen to a pup from any dog breed. Surprisingly, it can happen between unrelated puppies, for instance, pups who do not belong to the same litter. If the pups get adopted, their ages are the same, and they are raised in the same house.

With pups suffering from littermate syndrome, either one will be shy. It happens even if they were initially outgoing as well as bold. It is indeed an issue. The shy puppy will never be able to reach its full potential in training and behavior. However, every story has a positive side. Not all pups raised in pairs develop littermate syndrome.

If the dog owners make an extra effort to use specialized training methods, these symptoms of littermate syndrome can be averted.

Which are the general indications of Littermate Syndrome?

A usual and recognizable symptom is pups getting scared of other dogs, people, or any unknown stimuli. Puppies of this kind show severe high levels of fear when separated from each other, even for a short period. Following instructions and compliance skills, puppies with this syndrome will never reach their full potential.

Various situations arise wherein the puppies always get into fight mode. Even this, as per experts, is an indication of littermate syndrome. Having said this, proper consultation with the doctors and investing your hours and energy in specialized training will protect your dog from this syndrome.

Conclusion

While getting two puppies at once may seem appealing, it’s essential to understand the risks and challenges associated with Littermate Syndrome. Proper training, socialization, and individual attention can help mitigate these issues and ensure a harmonious life with your furry companions.

FAQs

Q: What is Littermate Syndrome in Dogs?

A: Littermate Syndrome arises when two puppies from the same litter are raised together, resulting in behavioral problems and excessive reliance on each other.

Q: What are the potential challenges of getting two puppies at once?

A: Some challenges include difficulty with individual training and socialization, increased competition and rivalry between the puppies, and a higher likelihood of separation anxiety when apart.

Q: How can Littermate Syndrome be prevented or managed?

A: Preventing Littermate Syndrome involves careful planning, separate training sessions, socializing each puppy independently, and ensuring they have individual time with their human family members. Professional help from trainers or behaviorists can also be beneficial in managing the syndrome.