FINAL THOUGHTS ON LITTERMATE SYNDROME The best solution to littermate syndrome is to prevent it by avoiding raising siblings together. Instead, if you want a pair of puppies, it's best to get them from different litters and space out, introducing them to their new home.

Can dogs with littermate syndrome be separated?

Now that each puppy can be away from their sibling and has their training basics down pat, you can reinforce their independence by treating each pup as a separate dog rather than as a single unit. Feed them separately, take them on separate walks, play with them separately, and take them to the vet one at a time.

What happens when you separate dogs with littermate syndrome?

Littermate puppies can quickly become hyperattached, unable to cope without the presence of the other. Often one pup suffers with this more than the other. If this happens, you'll generally see frantic, panicked, fearful, or even aggressive behavior when the pups are separated.

How do you separate dogs with littermate syndrome?

You can start off with the crates right next to each other to ease the separation anxiety. If the dogs do well, you should slowly start moving the crates to opposite sides of the room and then to different areas of the house. This will help the dogs start to feel independent.

How far apart should dogs be to avoid 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.

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Is it bad to raise sibling dogs together?

This is because raising sibling puppies together can lead to a cluster of behavioural issues known as littermate syndrome. Littermate syndrome is an anecdotal term that refers to a host of issues that tend to present when siblings are raised in the same household beyond the normal 8-10 weeks.

Should littermates sleep together?

But you should have them sleeping separately within two weeks of bringing them home. If they are sleeping in crates, as we recommend, you can start with the crates next to each other and then slowly move them further apart. Don't do everything with your puppies together.

Can you beat littermate syndrome?

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.

When should littermates be separated?

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.

What breeds are prone to littermate syndrome?

While there's strong anecdotal evidence around littermate syndrome in dogs, there are very few scientific studies proving once and for all that it exists. Dachshunds, Terriers, and Border Collies are just a handful of the breeds who some say are prone to littermate syndrome.

How do you break littermate syndrome?

It is theoretically possible to prevent littermate syndrome by doing things like taking the dogs for separate walks, enrolling them in separate training classes, and setting up separate playtime for each with their pet parents. You can already see that's a lot of extra work for the new owner.

Do dogs recognize their siblings from a different litter?

Depending on when the pup is rehomed, dogs can recognise their relatives later in life. If puppy littermates remain together for the first 16 weeks of the puppy's life before being rehomed, chances are they'll be able to recognise their family later on, at least for a few years.

What does littermate syndrome look like?

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 happens if you separate two bonded dogs?

Problems when separating bonded animals:

Fearful animals who are then separated can be very hard to socialize and take longer to adapt to new situations and people. They are more likely to be 'needier' or 'clingier. ' They are more likely to have separation anxiety.

Can you separate two dogs that live together?

Start by establishing separate areas of the house for each dog using Dog Gates, Dog Crates or other equipment to keep them apart. Do not let the dogs interact again until both have a very strong understanding of the “Leave it” cue (see below). Above: Keeping dogs apart using a crate is a solid idea.

How do I stop my sibling dogs from fighting?

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training works.

Let your dogs sniff each other and greet each other normally. Give them positive reinforcement through calm verbal affirmations. After letting them play for a while, put both dogs in a “sit” or “stay”, then let them interact again.

Is it too late to separate littermates?

Puppies should remain with their litter-siblings until 8 weeks of age. During that first 8 weeks, they learn skills that prepare them to be the best dogs for families and individuals. After 8 weeks of age, puppies will be able to learn other skills that they would not learn within the litter.

Do puppies miss their siblings when separated?

They quickly adapt to their new environment once they go to new homes and start bonding with their human families. They might miss their littermates briefly, but they're also quick at making new friends and clicking with their human family. Puppies get attached to their siblings because they're their first buddies.

How long do littermates remember each other?

Many puppies are separated from their littermates early in life, and they likely won't remember their siblings after about two years.

What is erratic littermate syndrome?

Littermate syndrome is an unscientific term that describes unwanted behaviors among sibling dogs, including aggression and intense attachment. The phrase is often used to describe behavioral issues that occur when two or more dogs from the same litter are raised together and adopted into the same home.

How do I stop my dogs from fighting in the same household?

Here's some things you can do stop dogs in the same household from fighting: Supervise interactions, provide them plenty of resources, and remove ones causing competition. Give each dog individual attention away from one another, and develop a training plan that aims for them to be comfortable around each other.

What is the benefit of using a littermate control?

Litter effects are important to control when genetic and/or environmental risks are studied in multiparous animals, particularly when the manipulation has the potential to impact animals prenatally and/or early postnatally prior to weaning.

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 sibling puppies be crated together?

Crate them separately.

You can crate them near each other, but this is the perfect time to start habituating them to not always being in close contact with their sibling. (See “Crating Woes,” Whole Dog Journal May 2005.)

Should sibling dogs be crated together?

It is never a good idea to crate two dogs together. The only exception is if they are young puppies under 8 weeks of age. If your dogs are adolescents or adults however, do not put them into the same kennel. This could result in a serious fight between them with potentially severe injuries.

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