Raising Littermates

[eheuerman]

Hi,

My wife and I have two 15 week old females that came home with us around 9 weeks. For the first month we had the girls together all the time, then we hired a trainer who informed us that we need to keep them separated all the time for at least the first year. So we have started crating them during the day while we are at work, having someone come by at noon to potty and feed them. Once we are home we walk, work on their training and play with them separately. Then I have them x pend where I can see both but they can't see each other. We do allow them short play times together that are supervised, and I do potty them together first thing in the morning but separate them immediately after they are done to feed them. Our trainer has giving us good advice and is always availiable to answer question, I am just looking for anyone who has gone through this or has other insight.

Thanks

[Judi W]

While I do believe that they need to learn to be, think and work independently, it sounds to me as if this is being carried to extreme. If they are going to be living together, they must also know how to get along together and that means exposure to each other in a variety of living.

[LisaS]

I agree with Judi W.

I have 15 wk littermates (M & F) nott-weilers (LabxAussie) - I think you need to let them interact and play together - and with you/the household together. I think they need alone time with the household members/training persons, but also together time. For example, we train one in a bedroom, the other in the living room - and then switch dogs. Potty walks - generally 1 person 2 puppies on lead. Around the complex sniffing walks - both one at a time and together. Loose-leash walking practice - separately. It's tough giving each alone time and together time, but I think you have to do both.
My pups are now almost trustworthy alone together to be in a carefully pup-proofed room while I make meals or quickly answer emails or use the bathroom. (that is, if they are both *empty* they cane be trusted for 10-15 mins to not destroy the room). I still crate them (separate crates, same room) even to take a shower though.

However, I'm as new to this littermate business as you are - so take my experiences only for what they are - 1 family's experiences - I'm taking what precautions I can to make sure they bond to the humans in the family and not just to each other - but I think they have to live together too.

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

Well you certainly have your hands full. I can't help but wonder why you choose 2 puppies, especially the same sex. Well its to late for that, you will need to do a real balancing act with them if they spend to much time together they will bond more with each other than with you if they don't spend enough time together they might decide they don't want to share their home with another dog.

I would divide the time together and apart as much as possible. Definately they should not be crated together but I would not see a problem if they were kenneled next to each other or crated in the same room. You can attend training sessions together with your wife each with a puppy. Then I might take someone to the park alone or some other place and rotate the puppies.

Good luck.