You’re considering bringing home two puppies from the same litter? Sounds like double the fun, right?

However, the Littermate Syndrome often throws a wrench into your plans. You’ll learn exactly what it is and the problems it can lead to here.

Puppies from the Same Litter: Danger of Littermate Syndrome

The Littermate Syndrome occurs when two puppies from the same litter grow up together in the same house.

Sometimes, these puppies develop such a strong bond with each other that they have difficulty befriending humans and other dogs.

If separated even briefly, they may become restless. They might whine, destroy things, bark excessively, or behave very anxiously in new situations.

Raising two puppies of the same age together poses the risk of developing the Littermate Syndrome. This can happen regardless of whether they are from the same litter or not, so the term “littermates” is somewhat misleading.

Generally, it is much better to get one puppy first and then wait one or two years before bringing in a second. If you want to have two dogs at the same time, adopting an older dog from a shelter is also an option.

The Littermate Syndrome is not an illness that a vet can diagnose. A significant issue with it is that the puppies might not form as strong a bond with you.

And the main reason you got a dog in the first place is for it to become a close friend, right?

What Leads to the Littermate Syndrome?

Puppies are usually ready to live without their mother and siblings at around 8-12 weeks. At this age, they start becoming independent and confident dogs.

However, if sibling puppies are always together after the 12th week, they may see each other as a kind of “security blanket.”

This means they might not learn how to properly interact with other dogs or humans. They could miss out on crucial social skills, leading to undesirable behaviors.

What Symptoms Exist, and How Common is the Problem?

If puppies are still closely together after three months of age, they can become very dependent on each other.

This means they are so closely connected that they feel like they are in their own little secure bubble.

They care so much for each other that they may have difficulty living alone or getting along with other dogs or humans.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

Even though there is no official diagnosis for the Littermate Syndrome, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. There’s just no precise overview of how often it actually occurs.

Theoretically, it is possible to circumvent this syndrome through training and education. However, this is an extreme challenge even for experienced dog trainers and is likely to be unsuccessful for the average dog owner.

How This Affects You

1. Extreme dependence of the puppies on each other:

Imagine two puppies growing up together and being like best friends who always want to be together. Sounds cute, right?

However, it becomes problematic when they fear being without each other. It’s as if they only want to play with their sibling and don’t want to meet anyone else.

They’re like two children who only play with each other and don’t want anyone else in their group.

2. Separation Anxiety:

Now, imagine these two puppies suddenly need to be separated. Maybe just for a short walk on different leashes or with different people.

They might become so sad and frightened that they start whining or even panic. That’s because they have separation anxiety.

These dogs can’t fathom being without the other, even for a short time, and this can be very stressful for you as a dog owner in the long run.

3. Weak Social Skills:

There’s another issue: Just because these puppies play with each other all the time doesn’t mean they know how to interact with other dogs or humans.

It’s like children who only talk to each other and never learn how to speak with other children or adults.

So, if these puppies only play with each other and never with other dogs or humans, they have no idea what socially appropriate behavior is and how to behave in specific situations.

Therefore, it’s crucial for puppies to learn how to play with others so that they can seamlessly integrate into your daily life.

4. Anxieties:

Two puppies heavily dependent on each other often miss out on many adventures. Instead of exploring the world around them, they focus only on each other.

But what happens when something new or unexpected comes along? They don’t know how to deal with it! Because they’ve never learned to be curious and brave, they become fearful of new things.

Instead of being curious, dogs with Littermate Syndrome quickly seek their siblings because that’s their comfort zone.

5. Training Difficulties:

Imagine trying to train two overactive puppies simultaneously. It’s like having two friends talking at the same time and trying to tell them something important. That can be really tricky!

Training should start from the moment the puppies come home. But if these puppies are affected by the Littermate Syndrome, they focus so much on each other that it’s hard to get their attention.

It’s as if they are in their own little world, forgetting or ignoring everything else.

6. Sibling Aggression:

Sometimes, when puppies grow up together, one may be stronger or braver than the other. This is similar to siblings, where sometimes the older one bosses the younger one around.

In puppies, one might bully the other or take away its favorite toy.

This bullying can worsen over time, especially as they get bigger and stronger.

Does the Littermate Syndrome ever stop?

No, the Littermate Syndrome doesn’t just disappear on its own. But don’t worry, something can be done about it.

It’s like with us humans. Sometimes we need a little help to understand each other better and get along.

For dogs, this means they have to learn how to interact properly with each other and with other dogs.

If you have two puppies showing signs of this syndrome, you’ll need to invest a lot (!) of time and patience. You must help them become properly socialized and teach them what good behavior is.

The problem is: You have to train both dogs separately for this to work. Better yet, walk them separately, let them play separately, and pet them separately.

For most people, this is not really feasible time-wise. Even if it were, you’ve essentially gotten two dogs to do things together.

Some people have another idea that sounds interesting. They think that having a third, older dog might help.

The puppies could build a bond not only with each other but also with the older dog. This might help them develop better social skills.

But beware: There is no solid evidence that this idea really works. Every family and every dog is different. Sometimes, you hear stories where it worked, and sometimes it doesn’t.

Therefore, getting another dog only makes sense if you really want it and not just in the hope of solving another problem.

Conclusion: Avoid Two Puppies of the Same Age

It is now clear that puppies develop better when they grow up without peers of the same age. This way, they have a stronger bond with their family and are much easier to train.

Getting two puppies of the same age at once is not beneficial for you or the dogs.

But what if you really want two dogs? No problem! There is a better solution. Instead of getting two puppies at the same time, start with one and then get the second one a year or two later.

Why? Because then you have enough time to focus on one puppy. You can teach it everything it needs to know. And when it’s older, and you decide to get a second dog, your first dog can help it learn everything.

And if you absolutely want two dogs right now without waiting, why not get two adult dogs?

They are already fully grown and have developed their personalities. Therefore, it is much easier to train and take care of them.

FAQ

What is the Littermate Syndrome?

The Littermate Syndrome occurs when two puppies from the same litter or of the same age are raised together and then become so strongly bonded that they experience difficulties in their development and behavior. This can lead to aggression, fear, and other behavioral issues.

Why is cohabiting two puppies from the same litter problematic?

Puppies that grow up together tend to form stronger bonds with each other than with their human owners. This can complicate socialization, training, and bonding with humans. Often, they exhibit dependency behavior or engage in sibling rivalry.

What behavioral problems can arise?

The most common behavioral problems include excessive dependence on each other, aggression towards other dogs or humans, training difficulties, and a lack of socialization. They may also struggle to be alone when their sibling is not nearby.

Can the Littermate Syndrome be prevented?

Yes, but it is very challenging and time-consuming. It is best to raise puppies from the same litter separately. However, if you already have two puppies from the same litter, ensure they are trained separately and spend enough time with other dogs and humans to ensure balanced socialization.