2 puppies from different litters

[MsMiaWallace]

Anyone bought a pup then another from a different litter around the same time?

We're are getting our pup on Saturday.
I am going to want another dog but is it worth doing now & getting everything out of the way? Or allow a pup to settle then get another?

[BiteyShark]

The problem with getting two puppies together or close together in age is that you will need to train and walk them separately.

Google littermate syndrome (applies to puppies close in age rather than just from the same litter).

The ideal is to wait until your first puppy is old enough to be well trained and a good influence on the younger puppy.

I am sure there are people that make two puppies work close in age if they have help to train/walk individually, time and a lot of patience.

Is this your first puppy?

[MsMiaWallace]

We've not had a puppy for a long time!

[HannahHut]

I have two dogs, they're almost the same age, the younger is a nightmare without the older, constantly crying and howling until she comes back.

Wish we had had more time to get them used to being apart. Wasn't my decision as they belong to my mother and I live at home.

[BiteyShark]

I asked whether you had one before because I found it hard work and mine was a pain in the arse through the teenage period until he was around 1 year old. Couldn't imagine doing two together

[MsMiaWallace]

Guessing it's easier to get 1 then & then another later (if still want another after the experience of course!)

[TillyTadpole]

There is 5 months age difference between my two. The eldest learnt a lot before the youngest came along. She now trains him tbh.

I don't think I could cope with two puppies exactly the same age.... but plenty do.

Best thing we ever done was get two dogs of similar age though. They are great company for each each other, no sign of "litter syndrome". Eldest is definitely my dog whilst younger pup is definitely dh's dog - except when I hold the treats pouch 😉

Seriously though they don't relate to each other to the exclusion of everyone else.

I take time to train them new things individually and then together. No problems

[User467]

We have a year between our two, so not the same as what you're suggesting but I would definitely agree about the importance of individual training. Our eldest is a great dog, very laid back and loves every dog and person he meets. I knew individual training was important but in hindsight underestimated just how important, I think I got complacent because our first dog was so good. Realistically although our first dog was 1 he was essentially still a puppy himself so didn't correct number 2 as he would have done if he had been older. This has meant number 2 hasn't learned correct boundaries with other dogs. This would have been avoidable if I had better appreciated what was happening earlier and set more boundaries myself. Walking them together, his friendliness masked subtle signs that number 2 wasn't properly greeting other dogs. This lead to her becoming a bit reactive which in turn has made him quite defensive so walking them together is now not as much fun. My dogs adore each other and I do think we made the right decision to get a second when we did from their perspective as they now have very similar energy levels, but I do wish I had done it better. I am now working hard to improve things including doing all the separate walks and training I should have done then but it's ten times harder than if I had just been a bit more realistic at the time. If you have a lot of time to dedicate to training then it could work, if like me you have a busy life with young kids to run after then I'd definitely stick with 1 for now

[SlothMama]

I've just got a puppy after not having had a pup for over 16 years and I'd forgotten how much work they are! I wouldn't recommend having two pups at the same time, as they need time apart for training and walking etc.

I want to get another dog but I'm going to wait until shes around 2 to add another dog to our family

[CMOTDibbler]

I foster puppies for a rescue, and so often have two at a time. I never feel that when I have two that I can give them the input they need - two lots of walks for instance to work hard on walking nicely; separate training sessions. And then you feel like you do nothing but run to the door for toilet training..
18 months difference is just right imo - first dog is still young enough to play, but established enough to be a good example

[AlpacaLypse]

I've had direct experience with this twice with our dog walking business. Both cases ended up with one dog having to be rehomed. I'd say not less than a full year difference in age, better still 2-4.

[Failingat40]

Having two puppies together so close in age whether litter-mates or not isn't recommend.

The temptation is they'd be good company for each other and will tire each other out but actually the constant play fighting teaches them bad behaviour towards other dogs.

They don't learn manners and boundaries around how to approach other dogs and the risk is they run up to all dogs the way they do to each other and end up getting hurt.

They will also bond strongly with each other rather than you, which makes training harder. I'd wait at least 1 year before adding another dog.

[elastamum]

I had 2 18 months apart from the same breeder. It helped that Ddog2 was less assertive and meekly went along with what big sis did, so she was relatively easy to train, Ddog1 was life and soul of the party and it took a lot of classes to train her! Had they been the other way round it would have been a lot more tricky

[Booboostwo]

Noooooooo. Google litter mate syndrome. You’ll have problems with training, recall, separation anxiety etc.

Get a puppy now, teach it the basics and if you still fancy another puppy in a year get one then.

[starcrossedseahorse]

Agree with everyone else that it is really not a good idea. I personally would leave 2/3 years between puppies but definitely at least 18 months. My own dog is only just 18 months and just now getting sensible despite going to training weekly!

The other thing to consider is the end of life - losing two dogs very close together is devastating.