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Youre thinking of adding a new puppy to your family.
In fact, the puppies are so cute that you may even be tempted to adopt two at once.
The information provided herein is for informational purposes only.
hey refer to ourdisclaimerfor more details..
What Is Littermate Syndrome?
This syndrome can occur with sibling puppies or with two puppies from different litters who are close in age.
Littermate syndrome is a term often used to describe certain behavioral patterns in two puppies raised together.
However, littermate syndrome is not recognized by veterinary behavior specialists as a true syndrome.
After all, raising one puppy, let alone two requires a great deal of time and effort.
What Does Littermate Syndrome Look Like?
During this period, puppies begin to explore new surroundings and learn social cues.
As part of social development, this is the period during which puppies become interested in interacting with people.
These dogs may reinforce each others undesirable behaviors and ignore their owners instructions.
A good first step as an owner is to familiarize yourself with canine body language.
Another important point is to provide enrichment and training to the puppies separately when possible.
This includes walking, socializing, and one-on-one attention with you as the owner.
attempt to do these activities with one puppy at a time.
This is necessary to get the two dogs accustomed to being apart without becoming anxious.
Owners can implement tools and strategies like crate training in separate crates and muzzle training if necessary.
Additionally, pet parents can utilize management strategies addressing environmental considerations.
For example, owners should provide multiple sleeping places or beds and separate food bowls.
There are misconceptions about socialization among dogs who live in pairs.
Practice socializing your dogs with other dogs individually and together.
This is not true.
Even pairs of dogs need additional and individual mental stimulation and physical exercise.
FAQs
Is Littermate Syndrome Guaranteed?
No, littermate syndrome does not occur in all pairs of puppies who are raised together.
Plenty of breeders successfully raise pairs of puppies without these undesirable behaviors.
The best way to avoid littermate syndrome is to avoid adopting two puppies at the same time.
How Long Does It Take for Dogs to Bond With Each Other?
There is no set amount of time that it takes for two dogs to bond with each other.
Does Littermate Syndrome Ever Go Away?
Yes, littermate syndrome can go away with consistent and appropriate training and intervention.
However, littermate syndrome wont go away on its own.
Littermate syndrome is essentially a set of unwanted behaviors.
Like any unwanted behavior, littermate syndrome requires training in the form of tools like desensitization and counterconditioning.
Veterinarians and veterinary behaviorists can serve as great resources in this regard.
