The incidence of owners purchasing
"Siblings", either same sex or brother and sister from the same litter is
now more prevalent than at any other time in living memory. The old dogmen
and owners knew the pitfalls and problems that this action would create;
however, this knowledge now appears to have been lost on today’s dog owners
with devastating consequences.
On the surface, the idea appears to be highly commendable. With the busy
lifestyles we now lead, it would seem feasible to take on two pups. They
can stimulate each other and keep themselves company, hopefully alleviating
any separation anxiety. They can also imitate the good characteristics of
each other. They will be able to do everything together and therefore will
benefit from that closeness and companionship, and could glean untold pleasure
from each other’s company.
Sounds fantastic! Unfortunately, the reality is far from this ideal and
you really get the worst of both worlds in this scenario. The puppies come
to rely on each other and it weakens both of them, often to the extent that
they become withdrawn from everything other than themselves. I call it “Littermate
Syndrome”
The puppies can come to fear other dogs, people and any situation where
they are separated from each other. The stress this causes can often then
spill over into aggression against each other culminating in fighting in
some cases causing serious injury or even death, commonly known as “Sibling
Rivalry”. Strangely enough the worst fights are normally between bitches.
Although nothing is set in stone, generally bringing together dogs with
too many similar qualities, ie age, size, sex, temperament and breed, may
spark a conflict. So many related characteristics make it difficult for
them to decide who is the alpha or top dog; therefore fights occur because
of the similarities.
Often, we can inadvertently cause the conflict - owners can disturb the
hierarchical balance by rushing to protect the would-be subordinate from
being “bullied” or “picked on” granting him/her liberties, such as being
petted first, which the other dog may consider his due. The lower dog may
now feel emboldened enough to challenge the other. We need to understand
that dogs have their own set of social rules, whereas we humans just want
democracy.
Two Choices:
To my mind you have two choices with siblings from the same litter. Whilst
I believe the first solution is the most practicable, which is to re-home
one of them, I am also aware it is the hardest and most difficult for the
owners. If not they will always be damaged by their almost total reliance
on each other.
If you decide to choose this alternative, you can home one of the dogs
with another family member or a trusted friend. You will see dramatic improvements
to the personalities of both pups. These changes occur almost immediately.
Be aware that the longer you delay, the harder it will be to part with one
of your pups. It is a difficult and agonising decision for someone to make,
however in the long run it is in yours and ultimately both your dog’s best
interest.
Your second choice is to create two individual dogs, with two separate
identities and personalities, without the total reliance on each other. To
do this you will need to work twice as hard because all the things you did
together you will now need to do totally apart.
Things you must do:
Everything must now be done independently to allow for the Siblings to
have any chance of becoming separate entities instead of the reduced sum
of the whole.
• Walk them separately
• Feed them separately
• Train them separately
• Crate them separately
• Play with them separately
Literally everything you do should be separate. That includes Puppy and
Training classes. Take them to a trainer that understands the inherent difficulties
of raising two puppies together. Take them on separate nights hopefully to
the same trainer. They can play together but only at strict designated times
and for a period of no more than 15 minutes each designated play time.
This regime will not be for life as the pups will, after a period of about
12 to 14 months, have formed their own personalities and temperaments. At
this age they will have become confident of their own individual abilities.
Not as in most cases total inter-dependence to each other when siblings are
raised, trained, and fed together.
Without the total reliance on their sibling for constant support they
will grow and blossom into much rounder and less aggressive and fearful
individuals. I cannot stress how important it is to separate the siblings
until they are older. It will produce two individuals rather than an impaired
two parts of the whole.
It is worth stating that it is not only siblings that have these problems.
If you raise two young pups from different litters or even breeds, you can
have similar problems. I always recommend my clients to wait till their puppy
is 14 months old before purchasing another puppy this then allows you to
concentrate all your efforts on that individual, and hopefully it will take
on some of the good traits of the older more experienced dog.
However be aware that this can also have it’s pitfalls. It is too easy
to keep the new pup in the company of the older dog, depriving him of the
opportunity to develop self-confidence of his own, without relying totally
on the older dog/s and their protection. You must train and occasionally
walk separately, keep them apart at certain times in the day so that over
reliance does not happen which could stunt the pups ability to interact with
both humans and other dogs.
I think what truly annoys me are the breeders that sell siblings, and
in some cases actually use emotional blackmail to push two pups, For instance
" what a shame you can't take two as I may have problems as he's so small/white/little/runt
etc and I'll probably have to have him put down in the end". I have no respect
for a breeder that uses these tactics or that sell litter mates to one owner.
If they are experienced and not a first time breeder then they are well aware
of the pitfalls of these actions, and that the dogs will suffer for the
rest of their lives.
© Stan Rawlinson 
