Two Babies

[Peter Chasey]

Hello,

I've been lurking for about 3 mos., which is when my wife & I adopted Tara, a very energetic Rott / Dobie mix.
Three weeks ago, the lady who runs the rescue asked us to foster Schautz, a 4 mos. old full Rott, while she helped out an aunt who had a stroke. Schautz and Tara got along so awesome that by the time the aunt 's recovery was extended we were almost happy because got to keep him a little longer.

After a week apart, we adopting him and it'd be cool to get some advise from the people here about some of the more difficult things to watch for with two doggies. Both are in kindergarden, we are kennel training them, & they've got all their shots.

Tara is 7 mos. (21.5 in @ withers) 43 lbs.
Schautz is 4.5 mos. (22 in @ withers) 45 lbs

Thanks for your help. I've already got some very helpful advice here, so a general public thanks for that stuff and a personal heartfelt slap on the back for anything you can tell me while I'm still the biggest one here and sane.

Pete

[LORHEL]

Just bringing this up to the top, there are quite a few folks who have multiple dog households, unfortunately not me...;)

It sounds like you are off to a great start..puppy K is just what they need right now.

Male and female, defintely good. Same sexes seem to have more trouble in adolescence. I'm sure you'll get some replies from the multiple dogs households.

Best of luck and enjoy that puppy power....:D :D

[Carina43]

Well, multiple dog household chiming in here! GOOD MOVE on getting opposite sex dogs, for sure.

Can't say I've raised two puppies together, the established dogs have always been adults when I've brought a puppy in. I'd say with puppies you would have to make sure to have plenty of time with each one separately so they don't bond too close to each other instead of you & your wife.

Apart from increased veterinary/food expenses, the main problem I've had with multiple dogs is TIME - I often feel guily that I'm not spending enough time with every dog, but maybe that's just me...

Also remember that two dogs will often act naughtier than a dog alone if left to their own devices, so good for you in crating! Two young dogs can do some serious damage around the house...

Have fun with the puppers!

[AimeeMB]

I was a 2 dog household briefly until I realized that I did not have enough time for Heidi (8 week old rottn girl) and Kizer (8 year old rottn boy). But I am single and work full time and go to school full time. Congrats on the little angels and....

PICTURES PLEASE!!!!!!:D :D

[AimeeMB]

I should elaborate on my situation before I get flamed...

I found Heidi on Christmas eve...I had no intention of getting another dog as I know the time and energy that these angels need. I just couldn't bear to leave her in the hands she was in. I found her a wonderful home just down the street from where I lived with a stay at home mom, a 2-year old Rottie sister and 3 little human brothers to love her.

I just felt I needed to explain that better. :)

[mmgy]

I've had six brother/sister pairs, and think it's the greatest thing ever!!! Two pairs were young adult rotties, the rest, other breeds from puppyhood. Yes, it costs twice as much, and yes, they get into more mischief, but over the long haul, the rewards are well worth it. The part I have enjoyed the most is when they're a bit older, and really start to enjoy each other as a companion. I couldn't leave a dog home alone....they have to have a buddy!

[rotts and roses]

I have 2 , 4 month old brother and sister pups, and their mom, so I guess I am a 3 dog house:) Its a challenge having two puppies, I am a stay at home mother of 4 and I have all day to devote to my lil guys and my kids help out quite a bit, they keep me busy from morning till night but I think it is sooo worth it:>
The rewards and the smiles having two far outweigh( in my opinion) the challenge.. it IS expensive! quality dog food isn't cheap and puppies eat a LOT, vet bills, heart worm meds, spay/ neuter costs, toy bills( gotta keep them lil boogies well stocked with chew toys or they will find their own chew toys.. usually your best pair of shoes
My favorite part is watching them learn.. it is such a competition! one can not stand to watch their brother or sister get praise and not them .. for instance, I work an hour a day with them each separately. I will teach each one a different trick/ command.. and they teach each other ..I taught Ozzy to give high five and Sheridan to roll over.. through out the day I will ask each puppy to recall what they learn when they are together, Sher saw her brother do a high five and get a treat and petted and told how smart he was 2 times before she figured it out*L* I say
" High five" and they both raise a paw at the same time. *L* and vice versa Ozzy will stop drop and roll.. It cracks me up and it cuts my training time in half! *L* Good luck with your two.If they aren't fixed yet I would make that my number one priority:D

[Luvs]

I have two 8 month old rotties from the same litter. Akasha and Keil are brother and sister. It has worked out great for us because one is mine and one is my daughters so we each do our own training, although we do frequently help each other. It is so neat to watch them grow up together. They are as different as night and day. Keil is very laid back and you can do anything with him. Nothing bothers him, unlike his little sister. Akasha is a bundle of energy. She is into everything. Akasha notices everything around her while Keil is off in his own little world alot of the time. I really enjoy having both of them around, they are very entertaining:D

We do make sure and take turns taking them places seperately and train seperately. We do some training together and use the puppies as distractions for each other during training. The puppies have already been through several obedience classes and will be taking classes again in August when they start up again. If we were not showing the puppies in conformation we would definately get them spayed and neutered. It would make life soooo much easier. Especially now that Akasha is in heat and we have to keep them apart for the next three weeks .

Yes, having two puppies at the same time is twice the work, twice the food bill, and twice the vet bill, but it is also twice the fun!;) I am so glad that we decided to go ahead and get Akasha's brother too. I couldn't imagine our lives without them. They bring us so much joy! My husband is trying to bribe my daughter into leaving Keil when she moves out. He has tried everything he can think of but my daughter is adamant that Keil goes with her. I have to say when the time comes for my daughter to move and take Keil with her we will really miss them.:( Of course my daughter may be here for a while yet which I can't make up my mind whether that's good or bad!?;)

Have fun with your puppies! The most important thing is to make sure they both get alot of training. Give each puppy alone time with you. I think the fact that one of the puppies has already been with you will really be a plus. I know it was for us. We got Akasha when she was 8 weeks and we got Keil when he was 4 months old. Akasha had time to bond with us and get some of the basics down before we added her brother to the mix.

Good luck with your puppies! Keep us informed on your progress! Have fun!!:D :)

[zeejay77]

I have 2 that are around 5 months now(2 weeks apart).

So far the hardest part for me is when calling one for whatever reason (give commands, play fetch), they both show up smiling and wagging and fumbling around my feet. I am hoping that with time and training they will be able to not come when I call the other.

Things are going great for me so far, but I think I'd better brace myself for the 6 month mark. I've gotten so much negative feedback about this situation, I'm not looking forward to seeing this doggie "teenagehood" deal.

[SABELLESMOM]

When calling one for whatever reason...they both show up smiling and wagging

Sounds familiar. I started by giving different commands preceeded by their names. At the back door, before going out, for instance.

Sable had been taught a "wait" command. At the back door ready to go out, I'd say, "Sable, wait." and "Digbee, come!" She backed up and waited. The same for geting out of the car. I didn't want her jumping out as a puppy before I was ready so she learned "wait".

It doesn't matter what the command is, but try giving different commands to each dog. Maybe have one in a down stay, and work with the other. They're pretty smart! They can figure out the difference in the name.

Of course if they think there's a treat involved...well, they both arrive to "C'mon!" No sense missing out on that!

[RottiMomCT]

Originally posted by zeejay77
Things are going great for me so far, but I think I'd better brace myself for the 6 month mark. I've gotten so much negative feedback about this situation, I'm not looking forward to seeing this doggie "teenagehood" deal.

SIX MONTHS?? They'll hit their 'teen years' at about 12-24 months - and it'll last about a year ;) :D ;) :D ...seriously though... get 'em into training, have fun with 'em and never let 'em be higher in the 'pack' than any humans in the house, and you'll be fine.

They'll test every millisecond of your patience, but the end result is great.

I have FIVE dog in the house. You call one, you get all five....the rest of 'em think they are missing out on something!! However, when it's time to go outside, they know who goes first...ME, then our Alpha bitch, and so on down the totem pole. Always the same way going out....coming inside, Alpha bitch goes after me, then the others all try to fit through the door at the same time....pretty funny!

[zeejay77]

Originally posted by SABELLESMOM
Sounds familiar. I started by giving different commands preceeded by their names. At the back door, before going out, for instance.

That's a good idea. I haven't been able to find much info or tips on this, so I've just been keeping them a lot more seperate lately. I'll give the different commands thing a shot.

Thanks,

Zack

[zeejay77]

Originally posted by RottiMomCT
SIX MONTHS?? They'll hit their 'teen years' at about 12-24 months - and it'll last about a year ;) :D ;) :D ...seriously though... get 'em into training, have fun with 'em and never let 'em be higher in the 'pack' than any humans in the house, and you'll be fine.

I was under the impression that it was from 6 to about 18 months. Well at least I have a bit more time to brace myself, lol.

Originally posted by RottiMomCT

They'll test every millisecond of your patience, but the end result is great.

I bet!!

Originally posted by RottiMomCT

I have FIVE dog in the house. You call one, you get all five....the rest of 'em think they are missing out on something!! However, when it's time to go outside, they know who goes first...ME, then our Alpha bitch, and so on down the totem pole. Always the same way going out....coming inside, Alpha bitch goes after me, then the others all try to fit through the door at the same time....pretty funny!

LOL. That is pretty funny. I can just picture it. Having 5 in the house at once amazes me. I just saw on another forum a lady who had 11 at the same time, now 10... with 5-dog rotations for going out.... Boggling.

I guess in the end you just have to use common sense and try things out as there isn't much info/advice on the subject. There are a couple of books on multiple dog households floating around... I guess that speaks volumes about the idea;) .

[Judi W]

When your dogs are four years old and good and responsible citizens, then you can pat yourselves on the back about what a fine job you've done. Until then, it is a work in progress.

[zeejay77]

Originally posted by Judi W
When your dogs are four years old and good and responsible citizens, then you can pat yourselves on the back about what a fine job you've done. Until then, it is a work in progress.

Indeed...

This type of thread must cause a lot of head shaking and snickering.