Guide: littermate syndrome
Littermate Syndrome: Should You Get Two Puppies at Once?
Littermate syndrome is the name trainers give to the behavior problems that can develop when two puppies are raised together. The puppies bond so closely with each other that they struggle to bond with people or to cope alone. It does not happen to every pair. Still, the American Kennel Club reports that many trainers, breeders and rescues recommend one puppy at a time.
What littermate syndrome looks like
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the warning signs include (AKC):
- Extreme distress when the two are separated, even briefly
- More interest in each other than in people
- Trouble focusing on training when they are together
- Fearfulness or low confidence when apart
- Slow social development with other dogs and strangers
- Rising tension or fights between the pair as they mature
Why two puppies are harder than one
Even without behavior problems, two puppies are far more than twice the work.
- Housetraining. When there is a puddle, you often cannot tell whose it was. As a result, both puppies take longer.
- Training. Each puppy needs its own sessions, so the time doubles.
- Cost. Food, vet care, grooming and classes all double too. See the cost of owning a puppy.
- Attention. Two puppies entertain each other, which sounds helpful. However, it is exactly how they learn to ignore you.
Is littermate syndrome inevitable?
No. It is a set of risks, not a diagnosis, and plenty of pairs grow up well. The difference is nearly always the owner’s effort. Pairs that spend deliberate time apart every day, from the first week, are much less likely to become over-dependent.
So the honest question is not “will my puppies get it?” but “do I have time to raise two dogs separately for a year?”
How to prevent littermate syndrome if you have two puppies
The AKC’s trainers recommend these steps:
- Separate crates. Each puppy sleeps in its own crate. Side by side is fine at first.
- Time apart every day. Walk, train, feed and socialize each puppy on its own.
- One-on-one time with you. Meanwhile, give the other puppy a chew in its crate, out of sight and, ideally, out of earshot.
- Separate outings. Vet visits, car rides and puppy classes should sometimes be solo.
- Train individually first. Practice together only after each puppy knows the cue alone.
A better way to have two dogs
If you want two dogs, the AKC suggests waiting until the first is between one and two years old, well trained and firmly bonded with you. Then the older dog helps to show the puppy the house rules, and you can give the newcomer your full attention.
Thinking about two of our puppies?
Talk to us first. We would rather help you raise one puppy well, and then welcome you back for a second, than see two puppies struggle. If you still decide on a pair, the plan above gives them the best start.
For a single puppy, our new puppy checklist and puppy socialization checklist cover the first weeks.
Related guides
- How to Choose a Puppy Breeder: 12 Things to Check Before You Pay a Deposit
- What Age Can Puppies Leave Their Mother? Why 8 Weeks Matters
- Puppy Contract: What Should Be in It Before You Sign
- Male vs Female Puppy: Does It Really Matter?
- Puppy Deposit: How It Works and What to Check First
See all our puppy guides, or meet our Havapoo puppies for sale and Goldendoodle puppies for sale.
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Our puppies are born and raised inside our family home in Eagle Mountain, Utah, from health-tested parents. See who is available now, or ask us a question.