The short answer is no, littermate syndrome does not go away on its own. But the good news? You can address the behavioral issues that arise from two sibling puppies being raised together. With time, effort, and consistency, you can help your puppies socialize properly, develop better skills, and behave better.

Can littermate syndrome be reversed?

With hardwork, littermate syndrome can be prevented or remedied, but it is important to start early. Also, remember that avoidance of this issue is the best plan. Having two dogs of a similar age is great, just get them roughly six months apart and make life easier on you and them!

At what age does littermate syndrome stop?

DOES LITTERMATE SYNDROME GO AWAY? The short answer is no; littermate syndrome does not go away on its own. But the behavioral issues that arise from two sibling puppies being raised together can be addressed.

Do dogs outgrow littermate syndrome?

Yes. Dogs can grow out of littermate syndrome and go on to form healthy, strong bonds with other pups and humans. However, they can't do it on their own. Getting your dogs to grow out of littermate syndrome will be a process that requires a great deal of patience, effort and love.

Is littermate syndrome guaranteed?

Most importantly, when it comes to behavior, there are no guarantees. Therefore, you can do everything right and raise two well-rounded individual dogs, and issues can still arise. The best way to avoid littermate syndrome is to have one puppy at a time.

Littermate Syndrome in Dogs: How to Prevent it and How to Fix it!

Is there a way to stop littermate syndrome?

To prevent littermate syndrome, experts advise that dog owners should start separate training classes, socialisation, playtime and walks as soon as they get the puppies home, and these should continue into the dog's adulthood. Treating dogs as individuals is the best way to harness their potential.

Is it smart to get 2 dogs from the same litter?

"Owners often feel like homing two puppies from the same litter is a safe way to ensure that the dogs will get along and not be lonely, however it can actually be detrimental to both dogs' development at a young age." Puppies learn a lot from each other in the first few weeks of their lives.

What are the early signs of littermate syndrome?

“They may not want to leave the other dog and you may see signs of anxiety and stress when they are separated,” she says. These early signs of littermate syndrome can then develop into behaviors such as aggression, separation anxiety and issues with training independently, explains Grottini.

Should littermates sleep together?

To ensure that each puppy reaches their potential, everything must be done separately: walking, training, eating, and sleeping. If the pups are very young, sleeping together may be fine for a while as long as they get enough one-on-one time with you. But before long, they should sleep in their own crates.

Do dogs forget their littermates?

Over time, if they're kept apart, the strength of that memory could fade, and they might see each other as any other dog. While dogs might recognize a sibling's scent for a while after being separated, it's not guaranteed they'll have a heartfelt reunion like long-lost human friends would.

Can dogs not from the same litter get littermate syndrome?

Even non-sibling puppies can exhibit Littermate Syndrome when placed together. Professional trainers recommend against getting two puppies within six months of one another, because the risks are just too high.

What is the best age to separate littermates?

The recommended age for separating puppies from their litter is 6 to 8 weeks, according to Dr. David W. Reinhard, a consulting veterinarian for Nationwide pet insurance.

Will littermates always get along?

In situations where littermates are raised together, it is common for one dog to start asserting their authority over their sibling. This dynamic can create intense sibling rivalry, which may escalate to dangerous levels if left unaddressed.

How do you fix second dog syndrome?

You will need to separate your 'second' dog from others for about 6 months – 1 year (depending on age and state of your relationship) using stair gates to keep them apart, and teach him to play with toys with you, learn from you, have fun with you, and feel supported by you when the other dogs are not around.

Will sibling dogs try to mate?

Therefore, male dogs will still try to mate with their female sibling without the intervention of a human. This makes it essential to separate the litter at the right time before all the dogs become sexually mature.

Do puppies get sad when separated from siblings?

Oftentimes, the puppies become severely anxious if ever separated, and in other cases they begin to bicker or fight as they become adults. Adjusting to a new environment is a challenge for a puppy, especially when he is at the sensitive, impressionable age of 8-10 weeks old.

How do you beat littermate syndrome?

Put one in a sit/stay in one room, have someone there rewarding the staying, and have the other come with me and do sit/stay in another room. Bring them back together, rinse repeat. You want them to respond to you as individuals and rely on their person than relying on each other for what to do.

How far apart to avoid littermate syndrome?

Ideally, puppies should be 6 months apart to avoid developing the condition. Alternatively, if you want dogs of the same age, get them 6 months apart and ensure that they are both properly and separately socialized to prevent the problem from developing.

Are dogs happier in pairs?

By nature, dogs are social and thrive in group environments. Therefore, there are many advantages to adopting a second dog, such as: They can keep each other company. Both dogs will be able to entertain each other and get exercise together.

Can you train out littermate syndrome?

Littermate syndrome can be managed, but it is a lot of work. An owner should know that preventing littermate syndrome doesn't just double their workload, but rather triples it. They'll have to train with each dog individually, and then together. Remember that littermate syndrome is not a dog simply acting out.

Is littermate syndrome curable?

Since littermate syndrome is a set of behaviors, not a scientifically proven condition, there's technically no cure. Rather, you can treat or manage the behavior in each dog individually, consulting your vet and a dog trainer for support.

Do puppies outgrow littermate syndrome?

Littermate syndrome does not go away on its own. The behavioral issues that arise from the puppies being raised together can be addressed however. It may take a lot of effort, but you can help your dogs to achieve proper socialization skills and good behavior.

What age does littermate syndrome start?

3. At what age does littermate syndrome start? Littermate syndrome starts as soon as you bring two puppies home together when they're around eight to 10 weeks old.

Why does littermate syndrome happen?

Also known as littermate dependency, this term refers to behaviors that develop when two puppies from the same litter are raised together. Behaviors include attachment to each other, difficulty bonding with humans and other animals, aggression, separation anxiety, and reduced independence in training.

What is crate syndrome?

Many crated dogs become severely depressed and withdrawn and can suffer from separation anxiety or even Stockholm syndrome. Hyperactivity and behavioral issues are other common consequences of crating. And if an emergency occurs while no one else is at home, crated dogs have no way of escaping.

---