When double is trouble! Yes, we can clearly say that adopting a single dog is better than 2 dogs at the same. When two dogs are being raised at the same time or at the same age, that makes quite a hassle for you. Often, they don’t get interested in any other activities or being near you. Also, they lack communication skills to develop.
However, if you get them trained at a very young age, it can be reduced. Raising them together requires a lot more patience and effort. Notice when their dependency issues appear and what is causing them to develop this behavior. Look out for the signs that may appear when you make them separate from each other; fighting over stuff is a common symptom you may notice.
In this blog, we will go to the length of littermate syndrome issues in your dog so that you will understand how to fix these issues.
What is Littermate Syndrome?
Littermate syndrome is a behavioral term. Littermate syndrome occurs in dogs over 8 to 10 weeks of age when they are brought to their foster home. Dachshunds, Terriers, Border Collies, and Shepherds are often identified as having a high chance of littermate syndrome.
Littermate syndrome forms when dogs bond with each other so tightly that they really don’t develop as they should, which leads to socialization, aggression, fear issues, and develops dependency in training.
It is a non-scientific term that happens in dogs, which causes a whole host of behavioral issues when they are raised together in the same litter. They adopt each other’s behavior. They become too much dependent on each other, leading to their behavioral issues. That can also happen when two dogs are being together in the same home. These siblings are inclined to be together all the time, and little separation might fear them. Sometimes, that bonding prevents them from bonding with their human family and other dogs.
At What Age Does Littermate Syndrome Appear in Dogs?
While it may seem like a good decision to have two puppies to adopt at the same time. It might feel like two dogs will make good friends, and your house would be cheerful.
If you are intrigued about taking puppy siblings, keep in mind that by keeping them closely together after 12 weeks of age, they become the habit of each other’s company. That may or may not be prevented later if things go beyond your hand. You will witness that kind of behavior when both dogs are below the age of 6 months. During their first 8 weeks, they eat, sleep, and play together constantly.
4-5.5-week-old puppies identify their siblings and mother. After giving birth to her puppies, 2 years later, the mother dog can recognize them. However, if the puppies are not living together, they can’t seem to recognize their siblings so soon.
However, getting two puppies at the same time decreases their mental health, and sometimes that makes them anti-social. They close all the doors from bonding with people and other dogs. Their littermate syndrome behavior appears when they are between 3-12 weeks old, at their mature age.
Reason for Developing Littermate Syndrome in Dogs
Littermates spend every second of their lives with each other when they are younger. This bond is really important to have at an early age. However, that does get problematic as they get a little bit older. So, Pointing out the reason for developing littermate syndrome in dogs will resolve your littermate dependency problem.
1. Struggle With Socialization
Puppies learn their social skills at a very young age. At that time, if they come to the touch of people, they learn so much stuff with humans. That helps them to grow. They learn to socialize with people and other dogs.
However, being raised in litter decreases their chance of becoming social. They rely on each other, and they become anti-social, which is not helpful to their mental health. If you adopt littermate dogs then they might not look in your direction, not interact with you. Simply, they become autistic. They might not get bonded with you.
2. Insufficient Individual Training
If two puppies grow together, it is important to provide proper training. Especially, don’t train them together. Since they are together all the time, training them together will not work for them. You will not get the outcome you were hoping for if you are training them together. Individual training sessions will help puppies concentrate on commands.
3. Over dependent Issues
When two puppies are raised together, they rely on each other overly. One of the puppies becomes timid, even if they always stay together. The shy one never becomes confident or reaches their potential of becoming independent.
Slowly, the shy puppy becomes introverted and uninterested in interacting with other dogs and humans. That happens mostly in siblings if they stay together. They seem to fail to bond with their pet parents as they should.
Raising two or more dogs together might create a problem with dependency. They might become too dependent on each other, which could be the reason for littermate syndrome. They literally feel comfortable with each other. They don’t want to mix up with other dogs and humans.
4 Signs of Littermate Syndrome in Dogs
Littermate syndrome appears in those dogs when they are being raised together, or it can happen when two dogs are similar in age. Some pet owners think that getting 2 dogs is better than a single dog. However, it can go in the opposite direction. Getting two dogs at the same time can bring a lot more chaos. You may notice some symptoms of having littermate syndrome in your dogs.
Let’s keep diving and learn about the behavior of littermate syndrome.
1. Separation Anxiety
When puppies are being raised together, they don’t leave each other’s side. They do everything together. Since they rely on each other too much, when they are apart, they feel separation anxiety.
From eating to playing together, not a single activity they don’t separately. So, when they are apart from each other, they face anxiety and fear. That results in the inability to settle or relax. Their anxiety happens in their adulthood, which almost makes it impossible for their owners to handle them or leave dogs alone or separate them for training.
2. Fear of People and Other Dogs
Littermates may face interacting with other dogs, leading to fear or aggression of other dogs and humans. Since they haven’t learned social skills like interacting with others, they see other individuals as their threat, resulting in barking, growling, and whining.
3. Distractions During Training
The presence of each other keeps them distracted from doing activities. They can’t seem to focus on learning new skills. That also results in irregular responses to commands. During training, they often get distracted. Pet owners have difficulties in training because these dogs constantly distract themselves.
4. Fighting Over Toys and Food
Those dogs who are raised together fight a lot. This also happens when they are adopted into the same home, which leads them to fight all the time. Fighting habits develop when they reach their maturity age around 6 months of age. Often, they fight over toys and food.
Sometimes, one puppy gets aggressive over their food and toys; they lash out at other puppy. That can create quite chaos at home. The pet owner has quite a hard time handling them both at the same time.
Prevention of Littermate Syndrome in Dogs
The best way to prevent littermate syndrome is not to adopt dogs from the same litter. As a pet owner, it will make quite a mess if you bring two dogs from the same litter or raise two dogs of similar age.
However, to resolve the littermate issues, you need to note down some important facts. Let’s learn about how you can fix the littermate issues if you have brought two puppies from the same litter.
1. Train Each Dog Separately
Professional trainers suggested against having two puppies within six months of one another because the risk of getting two puppies at the same time can be quite a handful for pet owners.
If you have adopted two dogs from a littermate, you might face some trouble with managing them. That also involves training them together. Training them separately will decrease their sibling syndrome or littermate syndrome. Individual training will help them learn about the ability to adopt new things. They would be able to focus on learning communication skills, and that would be a lot more easier to grow fonder of their pet owner and new environments.
2. Socialize Puppies Early and Individually
Dogs are quick learners; they learn new skills and other stuff at a very young age. In 3 to 14 weeks of age is the best time for puppies to socialize.
If you have adopted two dogs from the same litter, try them to socialize individually at a young age. Getting them at an early age will help their communication skills.
3. Consult With Vet
It is important to see the vet when you are facing this littermate issue. Littermate problems within dogs develop with time if you don’t take action. If the littermate’s behavior doesn’t stop, you should consult a professional. They can provide the right medication and behavioral exercises that will surely come in handy.
Is It OK to Get 2 Dogs From the Same Litter?
Most pet owners are intrigued to adopt 2 puppies at the same time or siblings. But that is the most bad decision you could ever make. You can bring two puppies home, but not from the same litter mate or sibling puppies.
Can Littermate Syndrome Affect Puppies From Different Litters?
No, that sibling syndrome or littermate syndrome only happens when two puppies are being raised together. That may happen if they are the same age and being raised together.
Are Certain Breeds More Prone to Littermate Syndrome?
Dachshunds, Terriers, Border Collies, and Shepherds are often mentioned as having a high chance of littermate syndrome.
Can Littermate Syndrome Be Cured?
Yes, it can be cured if you bring puppies from the same litter. Individual training, making them socialize, and a consistent daily routine can resolve their littermate syndrome properly.
Conclusion
Finally, it has to be said that raising two dogs at the same time is not a good decision you must take. You can adopt two dogs, but not at the same time. It gets quite chaotic while raising them together. They lack focus on training, and learning new stuff, and socializing with you.
Even if you have brought two puppies at the same time, try to train them individually at a young age because dogs are able to learn new things at a very young age. Also, if handling 2 dogs gets hectic for you, consult with your vet. They can provide you with proper medication and exercises that can surely help to raise them.
