Raising Two Puppies at the Same Time
By Beth Harrison, ABCDT
“Should I get a puppy?” “There are only two left in the shelter and I don’t want to split them up.” “Should I get two so they can accompany each other while I’m away during the day?” “If I got two, both my son and daughter could each have one.” “How could two puppies be more trouble to take care of than just one?”
The above frequently asked questions lead to the ultimate question: Are two puppies double the trouble or double the pleasure?
While you may have the best intentions, you’ll soon discover that two puppies actually create about eight times the mess as one. It’s as if they feed off each other’s energy. The problem is not the constant chaos involved with trying to keep up with two pups, but the realization that since the dogs have each other, they really don’t need you. They’re much more interested in roughhousing and running together than the ball games and walks you planned on enjoying with them.
Expert dog breeders are careful about placing two puppies together in one home because they know how much work it is to raise both of them properly. An improperly raised puppy can wind up homeless when the little and cute stage wears off and the defense urge begins to mature. Even dogs who don’t become aggressive can become too rowdy for a family if they weren’t given the right dog training early on.
Puppy Bonding
The underlying problem is bonding. Since the puppies are always together even when you’re not home, their primary bond is with each other—not with you. Puppies are individuals and each one needs a good upbringing.
RELATED: How to Bond With Your Dog
This includes plenty of good experiences with people, places and things. It also includes plenty of training and conditioning to being touched and handled by humans. Much of this work must be done with a puppy one-on-one—away from any other dogs in the household.
Tips for Successfully Raising Two Puppies
Puppies Should Sleep Separately
Within two weeks of coming home, your puppies should be trained to sleep in separate dog crates. However, don’t combine the stress of a new home with that of being separated immediately. Start out by placing the crates side by side. Gradually move the crates apart so that eventually your puppies are comfortable sleeping in different rooms or on either side of the bed. (This also prevents the development of separation anxiety problems should they suddenly have to be apart due to an accident or illness.)
Spend Time With Each Puppy Alone
Each puppy needs plenty of outings with humans and without the other pup around. This is an essential part of a puppy developing an individual identity and the ability to function without the other. It also gives your puppy the desperately needed opportunity to bond with humans.
From the very start, take puppies outside separately as well as together for short excursions around the neighborhood, car rides and socialization visits. This process is best continued at least until a year of age. It can take longer for some dogs.
Attend Puppy Training Class
Your best hope of controlling your dogs when they’re together is to have an excellent dog training foundation for each individually. Each puppy needs to go to dog training class weekly without the other—or at least kept separate within the class. (Note: Some dog trainers will not let family members train two dogs from the same family in the same class.) Make sure to practice the class homework daily away from the other dog. As they become well-trained, you’ll also want to practice working them together so they learn to obey with the pack.
Use Their Names
Your puppies will learn their names faster if you use their names each time you interact with them. In the beginning, names should always be said in a happy tone of voice in a rewarding context, such as when praising, giving meals or teaching commands that are rewarded with praise, petting or treats.
RELATED: 5 Tips for Naming Your Dog
Be a Good Leader
Make sure to be a good leader to your puppies. Don’t let one become excessively dominant over the other. Allow your puppies to establish their relationship, but intervene if one puppy becomes overly domineering. Give each puppy equal time and attention, and don’t favor one over the other. Also, include all of the family members in dog training and caring for the pups so they respond equally to all.
Raising two puppies at the same time is considerably more work than just one. However, if done correctly, you can certainly double your puppy pleasure.
READ MORE: 4 Tips for Bringing a New Pet Home
I honestly never would have thought to spend time with each puppy alone. I would have thought playing with them together would be just fine. I’m looking at getting a couple of puppies from a friend and so I’ve been scouring the web for useful insights like this – thank you so much for the thoughts!
I am also thinking about getting two puppies at the same time. I am wondering did you get two puppies and if you did get two puppies, how did the training go? And what tips would you give me?
Thank you
My dog had a litter- my husband and i decided too keep 2 if the pups.. they are now 3 months old…they are crate trained and go to the door when they need to go potty .. but you HAVE to stay on top of them because it is so much more work then just 1 pup.. and it takes much longer for them to focus on you and not eachother. They feed off eachother lol.. I love having them both but it is defiantly double the trouble.
Hi Abby — Can you provide more detail about how you crate trained and house trained your puppies. I brought home 2 irish wolfhound pups. 11 weeks old. Last night was their first night in a crate (ever). It actually went better than expected. Potty training is another story. So far I have not made the inside outside connection. We keep missing the moment, even though we go our frequently. I sure could use some solid advice on how to potty train 2 puppies at the same time. Thanks.
I would love help too. We adopted 2 lab mix puppies, 10 weeks old and have been crate training them separately for 2 weeks now. Food times are the most stressful and when trying to take 1 out to potty, the other barks and goes crazy. I am starting to seriously consider surrendering one of them back to the rescue but I really do not want to. They are both so smart and sweet and I know they will get it in time but I am really struggling.
Stick with it. Adopted two jack Russell pups from the same liter. The first month was awful, wasn’t sure I would survive, lol. We hired a trainer, crate them separately, and try to give them an hour of “alone” time away from the other pup a day. Currently only go for one walk a day as they are not th est on the leash yet, but def plan on giving them more excerise. All these tings have really helped us. Thy are still young (4 months) wit his lots of energy that sometimes gets to rough, but I’m hoping we can train them out of these behaviors, since hiring a trainer, huge imporovemeng in their behavior. We also plan on taking themto puuoy classes separately. It does get better-douBlue the dog love-double the trouble!
I think people are making this much more difficult than it needs to be. We got two litter mates of Jack Russells, and we let them sleep together in the same crate. During the day we let them play all day long outside in the back yard while we are away at work. They love it and keep each other company. When we come back home they run up to us and jump into our laps and get lots of love and attention.
As for housebreaking, we take both of them out frequently when they are inside. If we cannot watch them constantly, we put them outside until we can pay attention to them.
Interesting article but I wonder how accurate. Having had twins who were raised in same room for many years and yet each has their own personality
Interesting article, but I wonder how accurate . I’m 70 years old and have twin sons who were together for many years in same bedroom. Even in schools they were in same class, but with individual attention at times they each have distinct personalities. I’m awaiting 2 Maltipoo puppies this week, a male and female, not siblings. They will be spayed and neutered at proper time. At my age I have all the time needed for both to get treated and at times for them to be together. I’ll let you know later how this works out.
Humans are not are not pack animals
That’s different because you’re trying to get the dogs to socialise outside thier species. They tend to be more attached to other dogs so one on one with people creates a bond between different species so it needs to be nurtured with intent..
Thank you for this interesting article. My husband was determined to get 2 male miniature poodle puppies and I’m let with the training part while he’s at work all day. I’ve been searching the Internet for tips and tricks as I have my hands full and at times feel overwhelmed. The only question I still cannot find a good answer to is if I should have them both neutered at the same time. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Hi Kim, Just wondering how it is working out with your two new puppies. My two little dachshunds are 6 months old now and all is going pretty well with crates and puppy school. But, I appreciate what I read on this site.
The vet says yes. I am getting both of mine done together
Margaret
Hi, we’ve just got two puppies but from different litters. I wish I’d read the articles I’ve found since as it really is hard work. But they are quite different, one loves laps and one loves the peace of alone time. Would love to know how everyone is getting on. Especially Kim?
We just adopted 2 puppies. My advice is – be prepared to spend most of your day with them. The issue is bonding. When they are apart they listen and enjoy training, when they are together they become deaf lol. I have had a dog all my life, never 2 pups before. I would not do it again. Love both of them dearly, but absolutely exhausting so far.
have a 14 week old rottweiler and a 15 week old Mastiff. Best way to get them acquainted? The Mastiff I have had since he was 12 weeks old. Thank you.
Best way to introduce my 14 week old Mastiff and my 15 week old Rottweiler? Both males. Have had the rottweiler longer.
My 8 month old miniature Dachshunds are a hoot! I love this article and see why it has been spot on in my case. Have big fun with 2 pups and two personalities. Get a trainer, treat them according to their personalities and double puppy pleasure is the outcome. This article hits on all the simple, but BIG FUN opportunities. Especially fun when I get on the floor and we have our “puppy parties”! Double fun, but maybe 7 or 8 times the work as this article seems to reveal. Personally, our pups are as stated above “a hoot’!
I have one doxie he is 9 weeks his sister is left. Do you recommend another or keep just one?
I have one 10 week old Shih Tzu & my boyfriend mom has his brother. When we brought them home they slepted in the same play pin that they do now. Now I want too start training my puppy too sleep in the room with me in his crate that I bought for him, but it seems like once I slit them up they start too bark & whin & so my boyfriend mom comes & gets my puppy too put back with his brother. How can I keep them separated if she comes too get him & puts him back with his brother??
I need help??
Why I did eith my dogs.. once the other pups left- I put them in there small kennels.. close together.. then every night started to move them away from eachother.. now they are across the room from eachother with the kennel door open (3 months old) . axle sleeps in our room and buck likes to go between his kennel and our room
My son just got two puppies (brother and sister) and they are both sharing a larger crate at 10 weeks old but they fight all the time (or maybe it is rough play or determining pecking order)
We were thinking of giving them separate pens and then let them play when they are out so they are not on each other all the time.
Not sure how having 2 pens will affect their potty training or there interactions…
The male is laid back and the .female is aggressive but they both get there licks in on each other. Just not sure if it is all play or a struggle for them both most of the time.
I am just wondering how this has worked out for your son now?
I am in the same situation I have 2 9 week old miniature schnauzer/bichon mixes, My female is super aggressive towards the male. He always approaches her in a playful manner and she will attack him.
Did this change over time? How did your son deal with this behavior?
I just recently adopted one pitbull puppy, when I went to pick my puppy up. I see the place where they are and it just seems horrible. All dogs are chained in a very dirty area with the owners not caring a bit. So I did the right thing and took the sister as well, now I have two females sister puppies 7 weeks old at my house. It’s bananas, they play a lot with each other which is great when I am doing other stuff (I also have my girlfriend helping me 24/7) however, I feel they are listening and I see progress in the last three days. I started to make them sleep separate ( a lot crying which is not letting me sleep), and take them in separately for their walks. But I am not sure if I am doing everything correctly, do you think puppy school would be the best idea?
I aquired two sibling Dogs at 5 weeks [ trust me thats hard work alone as they were in such poor health and just so young]. Now at nearly eight weeks i am seeing behaviour that is described above in the article a well as other struggles for me like one going on the training mat from the start then copying the other and starting to go wherever it sees fit, the fighting is horrible, one steals the others food,toys,etc.. They are relying on each other way to much. I am now trying the seperation method and spending quality time alone with each one [bloody time consuming]. Already they have whined for one another proving the point above. We got Dogs to be our companions not to be each others. I hate doing it to them but keep talking to them saying its best as one will have to go otherwise. I really wouldnt like to make that choice as both different and both have lovely qualities. Fingers crossed this method with work and of course i will update the progress [or none progress]. I would advise nobody get pups from same litter or different at the same time.
I have 2 Golden brothers now 6 mos old.
I’m glad to join the posting as I can relate to much of the information being shared.
I do agree withmuch of what is being shared.
However, I have taken the shared crate method instead.
Yes, they are definitely bonded.
(That was the plan to provide a playmate during the workdays when they would be alone.)
Do they still bond to me and my 9 year old son?
Very much so…. and they both want our attention as much as possible.
Do they lack attention in each others presence ? Definitely.
That what I expect from 2 siblings pups.
I do sit on the floor with them with one one each side of me until they finally relax and just enjoy the attention and then they mellow out.
Training is demanding and I like the idea of more separate time as those shared in the posting.
Although I am still in favor of the shared crate (for the dog’s best interest).
I will keep you posted on how things are going in the near future and would be glad to here any of your ideas.
How is the puppy training coming along? Especially the shared crate. Thanks
I’m 3 days into our new lovely pair of 4 month old male mini Schnauzers. These guys are tightly bonded, but are bonding extremely well with us. I think the separate bonding requirement is breed and personality dependent. Frankly I’ve never had puppies with such lovely dispositions as these mini Schnauzers (Lab, Poms, Dachshunds). I’m not sure I would want much more bonding as it would approach unhealthy clinginess. I’m a believer in dogs being dogs, and also part of the family pack with me as healthy leader.
I love everything in this article. We’re firing up a full court press on the training this evening. First with 2 crates purchase. We will start with a shared crate, then work them into singles. Then as they mature, they get past the chewing phase, and prove themselves to be rock star swimmers (pool), we’ll put in the doggy door and they can roam free.
Thanks for the great article. Will keep folks posted if interested!!
Please update! I find myself on day two of mini schnauzer brothers -3 mo the old. They are precious. I am a bit overwhelmed. I was planning on one and husband talked me into two – as we lost our two old guys over the last year. Only my hubby isn’t the dog person, I am. So far so good – but I would love to hear how it’s going with you!
hi we already have a 11 week female pup that we have had for 2 weeks and will be gettng a male puppy in 1 weeks time, our girls is already settled in a sleeping routine and sleeps in my daughters room, the new puppy will sleep in my sons room when he arrives..we will be doing the seperate method, i just wondered if its advisable to put them together in a play pen when we are at work or to put them in seperate cages, any advice would be grateful
Update on kenneling 2 puppy brothers together:
My puppies are now 8+ mos old.
Kenneling them together has been perfect for all of us!
The dogs continue to nuture each other, when I cannot be there.
In addition, they are super close to me and my son as well.
I take them for walks together, even training together. (At training, my son takes one and I take one.)
As our dog trainer/whisperer has desciribed it: as the owner of your dog(s), you are replacing their parent and it is the RELATIONSHIP you develop with them, that creates the bond with your pets, and how well they behave. (Not separating them from each other. ) Back in November, (in less than 5 mins of meeting my dogs) the trainer had both of them sitting still and obeying. (this was at 4 mos old) He has taught me the same methods. (The methods are using the same methods the puppy’s parents use. ) We are now their parents and the dogs are looking for the same ques from us. When you use those ques, its amazing.
If you live in the Minneapolis area his company is “A dog’d best friend” and I highly recommend him.
In summary, I see how they snuggle up to each other at night and how they still play with each other in the kennel. It continues to be a wonderful situation for my family and I am very glad we went this way.
Hi Scott how are the puppies going?
Thanks
My husband and I bought two female puppies. They are sisters from same litter. We kept them together, they sleep together and are with each other constantly. We both work and got two so they would keep each other company. It was to complicated keep8ng them apart. We have sent them to doggie school and after $700. All they learned was walking on a leash. They don’t listen To our commands and one dog is very dominant and controlling of the other. She is jealous if you show any attention to her sister. We try stopp8ng her but she struggles with us to separate us and to get all the attention for herself. It’s really aggravating. They seem calmer as they get older But still don’t listen well. Vets says they are happy & healthy. Wish I had separated them in the beginning but didn’t know.
Hi,
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and success stories even more so. I have just adopted 2 yorkie puppies. They are 13 weeks tomorrow and we picked them up Friday. I was so excited to get them and just fell in love over the weekend. So Monday comes and I decide I will start to look at training methods for 2 puppies only to find every article advises you not to get 2 puppies 🙁 I literally feel defeated before even starting. I am going to pick up crates tomorrow and start to train them to sleep separately, however what should I do in the mean time whilst they get use to the crates? Should I continue to allow them to sleep together in puppy bed? We have also discovered that they may be eating their own poo or each others. Is there any way to prevent this. I wouldn’t dream of getting rid of one of them however i want to bring them up the best i can as well.
As mentioned above any help and advice would be greatly appreciated xx
I just did the same thing as you! Brought two beautiful puppies home and then read that it’s a terrible idea. I admit I’m feeling overwhelmed and it’s only end of day two.
One day at a time, I guess.
Can anyone post an update? I’m 2 weeks into 2 pups from the same litter and the Internet has me so so worried! I just want to do right by them!
What’s worked? What hasn’t?
Are they well adjusted adult dogs Know?
Hi, I have brother & sister 17 week old German shepherds. I was the same as you, internet got me worried! It’s hard work but I’ve survived!!! Crate separately, exercise seperately, train separately. They also have play time together and lots of toys and chews that are exactly the same!! Whole family gets involved so it’s not just “one owner” and we all do it at different times. They have had to get used to us and we have had to get to learn their body language and signals. It’s been trying, very trying but the rewards are worth it 🙂 the only hurdle we have to get over is going on walks together, they go into pack mode and they bark at everything which can be intimidating for others, but we’ll get there in time. On their own they are so sociable with other people, dogs, cyclists and their recall is excellent. Time & patience is the key and I have stopped reading the scare stories on internet and concentrated on the positives