One Puppy or Two?

Consider carefully if you're prepare for two!

A new puppy is a bundle of joy, so why not get two bundles of joy? Although it costs more, many people find the idea of watching them play, learn and explore the world together appealing. But in reality, there's more to consider than just the extra cost, and raising two puppies opens the door to unique problems. These include behavioral issues that are detrimental to the puppies' wellbeing, and - if not properly addressed - can last their entire lives.

It's not impossible to raise two puppies to be healthy, happy, confident adult dogs. But before you decide to take on that task, it's important to understand what it may entail and what you need to be successful.

First thing's first: know why you want two puppies, and if you can truly provide everything that two puppies need.

Questions to ask yourself when considering getting two puppies:

• Is it fair to the puppies? (does your lifestyle support it?)

• Do you have a practical reason for getting two puppies?

• Will you be able to manage two puppies - separately and together?

• Do you have time to spend training and providing enrichment for both puppies?

• Can you afford double the expenses (grooming, vet bills, feeding, equipment, training)?

• Do you have the physical space for multiple dogs (as they grow in size)?

If you can't confidently say "yes!" to each of those questions, you (and the puppies) may be better off if you choose to raise only one puppy for now. When things are going well, you can always decide to get a second puppy later.

Even if you can provide everything mentioned above, there are still some potential pitfalls to consider before committing to getting two puppies. A common reason for getting two puppies is so that they can occupy each other, serving as playmates and companions when every human in the household is busy. But this should never be the primary reason for getting two puppies, because using puppies as a management tool for each other often leads to the most common problem with multiple puppies; Littermate Syndrome.

Littermate Syndrome

Littermate Syndrome is a pattern of behaviors that occurs when a dog is dependent on another dog for confidence and guidance, instead of being capable of confidence on their own. It most often occurs when two or more puppies are raised together and become dependent on each other. They don't necessarily have to be from the same litter: any puppy who spends a lot of time around another dog may develop Littermate Syndrome.

Littermate Syndrome has devastating effects on a puppy's mental development, and often becomes more severe as the puppies enter adolescence and adulthood. Adult dogs with Littermate Syndrome often experience extreme separation anxiety when they're not with their housemate, which manifestS as whining, drooling, panting, pacing, or other neurotic and destructive habits. They tend to mimic each other's behaviors and reactions, and lack a personality of their own. They often have weaker bonds with humans (if they bond at all), and care more about where their housemate is than where their human is. This can cause difficulties when training them, especially if their housemate is not present. Some even refuse to eat or sleep when they cannot be with their housemate.

Not all puppies raised together develop Littermate Syndrome, but a significant number do. Some puppies are genetically more likely to develop Littermate Syndrome than others: sometimes one pup will display it and the other will not. But there is no sure way to be sure ahead of time that a puppy will not be prone to Littermate Syndrome. It is very likely that if you get two puppies, you will have to take active measures to prevent them from developing Littermate Syndrome.

Signs that puppies are developing Littermate Syndrome:

• Whining/anxious when separated from each other

• Less confident when the other puppy is not present

• Refusing to eat (or less interested in food) when separated from each other

• More interested in interacting with the other puppy than with their human

• One puppy seems "protective" of the other (resource guarding their housemate)

• One copies the behavior of the other

It is possible to avoid Littermate Syndrome, but it takes a lot of management. Littermate Syndrome is not the only problem that you may face with two puppies.

Other Potential Problems

You've likely considered that two puppies will be twice as expensive as one, and twice as difficult to raise. But depending on the puppies, the management and training often end up being more than twice as difficult. The puppies should be trained, played with and socialized together and separately. They should learn to eat, drink and potty when they can see each other and when they cannot. They should be kenneled near each other and in separate rooms. If one starts displaying behavioral issues (reactivity, resource guarding, etc.) in certain contexts, the puppies should be kept separate in those contexts until the issue has been addressed. Otherwise, the puppy who was not displaying behavioral issues may begin to learn and copy those unwanted behaviors. Separating the puppies will also allow you to better help the struggling puppy and teach them how to behave appropriately (in that context) before adding a second dog to the situation.

Another downside that often gets overlooked is the difficulty of giving verbal commands to one puppy while both are present, causing "command confusion." For example, if one puppy is chewing on a shoe and the other is chewing on an appropriate toy, when you tell the first puppy to "leave it!" the second will likely respond as well. For a sensitive puppy, this can be confusing and stressful. Conversely, some puppies will learn to ignore important commands because half of the time, the command isn't enforced for them (since it wasn't meant for them).

The Least Ideal Situations

Some living situations can work well for two puppies. But for most people (and most puppies), it's better to start with one puppy and raise them individually before getting another. Especially if:

• You've never raised a puppy before

Regardless of the breed you get, puppies are a handful for the first year (or two) of their life. They take a lot of time, energy and thoughtfulness. They are messy and sometimes destructive. No matter how much you prepare, you're bound to come across multiple unexpected challenges. If you are planning on getting your very first puppy, save all your best for that one puppy: don't try to split your time and resources between two.

• All adults in the home work full time

Puppies require extensive supervision and frequent attention so they do not rehearse unwanted behaviors. Furthermore, young puppies cannot control their bladder or their bodies very well. They know almost nothing and act purely off survival instincts, sometimes to their detriment. Raising one puppy when working full time is difficult enough: adding a second puppy and still providing quality attention is often not feasible. Consider carefully whether you would benefit from having two puppies instead of one - and if the puppies would benefit.

• You are expecting a big change in your life (a baby, moving, changing jobs, etc.)

If you're already expecting to face uncertain circumstances, wait on getting even one puppy. Good puppies will always come around- make sure you're ready to give your future puppy a stable, structured start at life.

How to Manage Two Puppies

If you are going to get (or already have) multiple puppies, start making a plan right away.

To avoid littermate syndrome, command confusion, and learned bad behaviors, ensure the puppies are fully separated for several hours each day. The puppies should practice relaxation separately (crate time, pen time, etc.), training separately, and even fun activities like toy play and walks separately. When you teach commands (sit, down, come, etc.), always use their name before the command ("Rover, Come!" "Rover, Sit!") to help mitigate command confusion when they are together.

Make sure each puppy has their own resources - bed, crate, food bowl, chew toys, etc. The puppies should never have to push each other around for a resource: that can amplify resource guarding later in life and cause the dogs see each other as competition.

Always supervise their playtime together: one puppy may be more rambunctious and overwhelm the other one. The quieter one might tolerate this for a time, but as the two reach maturity, rough play may turn into aggression - which is not uncommon when both puppies are the same sex. Teach the puppies to play politely with each other, so they don't face undue stress and develop a grudge.

If you take puppy class with them, have them in separate classes - or at least have them separated during class.

If one starts to display bad habits (reactivity, resource guarding, nuisance behaviors, etc.), keep the puppies separated in those situations. For example, if one puppy is reactive while out on a walk, then walk the puppies separately until you have taught that puppy to not be reactive on walks.

Keep track of your puppies' behaviors and how they function together and separately. If you notice any symptoms of Littermate Syndrome, consider contacting a professional trainer to assist you.

Focus on your Bond!

The lifelong bond that you form with your puppy is unique and special, and benefits both you and your puppy in so many ways. Take your time building and enjoying that bond with one puppy before you decide to bring another one home, and you will have a dog who loves you for life!