Littermate syndrome is the theory that sibling rivalry between puppies can cause future behavioral challenges when kept together. We know that choosing just one puppy from a litter is hard. It may be tempting to bring home more than one, especially if there are only two left in the litter. How can you leave one behind? The behavioral challenges that show up are not anything new, but may be exaggerated when two puppies of the same litter or age join your family. However, the question remains if littermate syndrome is real and whether it can be overcome.
The Science Behind the Theory
Despite the claims of many veterinarians, dog trainers, and seasoned owners, there are no scientific studies to confirm littermate syndrome. However, there is a lot of evidence to confirm that it is an issue among canines. So though there are no peer-reviewed studies to turn to, it’s still important to consider when choosing to bring more than one puppy into the home at the same time.
We believe it comes down to the varying personalities you find among a litter, how training is tackled, and facing the challenge that littermates pose. Puppies can all struggle with separation anxiety. As pack animals, they are not used to being alone and can become co-dependent on their siblings. A dog can become destructive and anxious, loud and obnoxious when left alone. So, you may think having two puppies to keep each other company is a win-win. But dogs are not good at sharing, have natural rivalries, and dominance within the litter.
Temperament, learning pace, and individuality all come into play and are multiplied by two. Additionally, playtime among siblings is healthy, but cannot be a substitute for socializing with other canines. Though no true research has been done, the word of those with experience should not be disregarded when it comes to littermate syndrome.
How Maturity and Gender Affect Littermates
As your puppies grow in sexual maturity, their genders and former litter rank can come into greater play. Between eight months and a year, your pups will start to test training boundaries. They will see their littermate as a rival or possible mate. Where they may have been co-dependent before, they can become destructive, and you’ll be busy doing damage control. These behaviors are natural, but magnified when you have multiple dogs. The dominant of the two can start to become a real bully. The more submissive will begin to resource guard. Males will start to mark for dominance. Females can develop severe co-dependence. Males and Females can both become aggressive.
These behaviors can be avoided by providing a healthy environment, individualized training, and an abundance of socialization. Littermates can become wonderfully behaved dogs if you give them the attention and time they need. You may also want to consider spaying or neutering your pup when they reach sexual maturity to avoid these negative behaviors from developing.
The Truth About Littermate Syndrome
Whether or not littermate syndrome is a true scientific fact among canines, knowing the challenge of training two puppies can only help make the process more rewarding. Below are some guidelines for successfully taking on two puppies at the same time.
- To combat co-dependence, we highly recommend crate training. You may even want to keep them in separate rooms as well as crates to help them overcome any anxiety. It’s good for puppies to learn that it’s okay and safe to be alone.
- To avoid resource guarding, you may need to feed at different times in a closed-off area. It’s also good to do some training in sharing and correcting any aggressive behavior immediately.
- Due to temperament, personality, and pack rank, puppies will learn and develop at different rates. In the beginning, training sessions should be done separately or with an older, well-behaved dog. The chaos of training both at the same time can cause too much distraction for everyone. Giving your full attention can bring focus, give them an individualized pace, and they won’t be fighting for your attention. By doing solo training sessions, you’ll naturally bond with each dog and build their confidence in you as their leader.
- While giving the puppies time to play with one another is important, it’s equally essential to their development to spend time with other dogs. Otherwise, they will develop a language only they understand and become frustrated when other dogs don’t adhere to their rules. Older, well-behaved dogs can give them good doggy manners.
Before deciding on two puppies, consider the time involved and how you want to tackle their training. If you find that some of these symptoms of littermate syndrome are being expressed in your pups, it may be best to seek professional training. We want you to find the best fit for your family, and whether you decide on one or two, ask Gladys to chat with Kimberly about their temperaments. She is great at helping you find the best match!