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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

So we are about to enter hell

46 replies

phoolani · 26/10/2015 21:43

Or it appears we are. Our 2 (count 'em) 9wo puppies are arriving in two weeks, so I've been trawling the puppy threads and, obviously, am now terrified, acutely anxious and resigned to not sleeping or leaving the house sans dogs till at least next Easter. ??
There's a lot of talk about 'doing things differently' knowing what they know now, so tell me: what would you have done differently with a new puppy given the benefit of experience?
Now you've all scared me, help calm me down!

OP posts:
LittleFrankenFooFoo · 26/10/2015 21:45

Crate Training for sleep time, training lessons with a professional asap, no shoes as toys!

mrslaughan · 26/10/2015 21:55

you need to walk and train them seperately.......

Original poster
phoolani · 26/10/2015 21:55

Sleep wise, we're going with a play pen with an open crate inside (suggested by a mumsnetter) which will mimic what they're currently used to. It's not going to be safe to allow them to roam at night. Presumably, that's kind of a precursor to actual crate training?
I am locking up all my shoes!

OP posts:
Original poster
phoolani · 26/10/2015 21:57

Mrs, really? I haven't heard that before, but I suppose it makes sense.

OP posts:
dotdotdotmustdash · 26/10/2015 22:41

Getting two pups at once is considered by the dog world to be an absolute no-no and it rarely works as well as you imagine it will. You're advised not to add a 2nd pup to the mix until the first is over a year old at least. No reputable breeder will ever sell you two pups from the same litter. There's lots of accounts and advice on the internet...

www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_1/features/Problems-Adopting-Two-Puppies-At-Once_16190-1.html

I would also check thoroughly that the breeder you've chosen isn't a backyard breeder as it's very poor practice for them to allow this to happen and not in the best interests of their pups. Are the pups parents fully health-tested and KC reg? If not, walk away and get in touch with a breed club for your chosen breed. It will be worth the hassle if you end up with the right dog, and a healthy one.

Backforthis · 26/10/2015 22:42

The thought of two terrifies me.

AlpacaLypse · 26/10/2015 22:49

yy to what dot dot dot said. Putting on my dog walker/doggie day care hat, we've had two-at-the-same-time situations three times now. None of the dogs were happy or well adjusted. One family wisely admitted defeat and rehomed one. One family moved away from the area and I never did find out what happened in the end. And the third family refused to take our advice about at the very least walking separately (as it would have cost them more) and moved their business elsewhere. Frankly I was delighted, each dog by itself was sweet enough but it was hell on wheels the moment they were together.

stareatthetvscreen · 26/10/2015 22:57

is it just me who wants to know the breed?

Arkkorox · 26/10/2015 23:10

You'll need this. Wine

Original poster
phoolani · 26/10/2015 23:50

Dotdot - that is serious food for thought, thanks for that. The breeder was recommended by a friend who (unlike me) is knowledgable about dog breeding. The parents are vet checked and the puppies would come with a vet's cert (I'm told). I just assumed they wouldn't be KC registered as they're crossbreeds?
I just thought, wanting two, I'd get it out of the way now (and a similar situation has worked very well for another friend) as, having had dogs before, I remember it was no picnic and I really have the time for them at this point.

OP posts:
Abraid2 · 26/10/2015 23:58

I had two at once. They chewed one another, not our things. And leaving them alone was easier.

Sossidge · 27/10/2015 01:10

Have a look for 'littermate syndrome' it doesn't apply to just siblings, but two or more dogs of similar ages, for exactly why it's a bad idea. Things like-toddlers do not learn quantum physics from other toddlers, puppies together learn to be puppies from each other, they bond with each other instead of you, practice unwanted behaviour together, taking one puppy outside to try and pee every twenty minutes turns into taking each puppy out separately every twenty minutes. Separate walks, separate teaching them how to move out of the way of doors/don't eat that eat this instead, don't be scared of that X a million other things. Separate rooms when they're eating. The FB group Dog Training Advice and Support has an excellent file on this, asking why you would want two puppies in the first place, to anecdotes of 'I did it and it was fine!' Being the exception to the rule. I wouldn't consider it but read that file anyway and now point anyone who is, in its direction!

Sossidge · 27/10/2015 01:12

Oh, and it's not double the work, it's three times the work because you have to teach them everything separately and then together. So when you finally get each one going to the toilet outside, teach them to go outside together and not dick around, walk on a loose lead and come back to you separately and then together. Etc. etc. etc.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 27/10/2015 01:18

Oh god I am exhausted just reading these posts. Good luck OP!

PS. I have never owned a dog!!!

LeaLeander · 27/10/2015 01:23

I unexpectedly received two 10-week chihuahua brothers from a desperate rescue situation --had never lived in a home with dogs before and almost went insane for a few months but they are cheerful, charming, smart, fearless, reasonably obedient and love one another (and me, I think) so much. They are a joy and I would not hesitate to do it over.

Keep them penned for a while and then confined to one room, gradually let them learn run of the house. Heating pad helps sleep. Mine loved carrots from day one and still do. Use positive training not punishment.

CheerfulYank · 27/10/2015 01:43

I have a puppy and a baby who are almost the same age (pup is six months and baby is five) plus two older children and I am surviving, just. You're mad. :o

CheerfulYank · 27/10/2015 01:44

What breed are they?

I guess the things I can suggest are crates, lots and lots and lots of chew toys, and lots of play time to wear them out. Also classes as soon as you can.

dotdotdotmustdash · 27/10/2015 07:08

The parents are vet checked and the puppies would come with a vet's cert (I'm told). I just assumed they wouldn't be KC registered as they're crossbreeds?

If you must buy a crossbreed/mongrel (and I wouldn't as it's purely breeding for money) then you absolutely have to make sure that the parent breeds are health tested for the conditions which are inherent within their respective breeds. These tests aren't just a check-up at the vets, they're tests which are carried out by specialist vets, sometimes blood tests, eye or heart tests and very commonly, hip and elbow scoring which requires the dog to have an x-ray under sedation. It's an expensive business getting two dogs ready to breed and many backyard breeders don't invest the money to do it.

If I you were you I would go back to the drawing board and start again by finding the (pedigree) breed that meets your needs the best, get in touch with breed club and educate yourself about the breed and then find a reputable breeder who will consider you for a puppy. It might take a bit longer to find the right dog, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Alternatively, go to a rescue, there are plenty of rescue dogs and puppies out there who will do the job of family pet just as well as any breeder's dog. I have two gorgeous rescue collies here and I've never had an issue with either of them.

LilCamper · 27/10/2015 08:09

Littermates.....NO, JUST, NO

TheMotherOfHellbeasts · 27/10/2015 08:18

When I fostered dogs for a rescue I had two at once (huskies) and three at once (beagles) all were siblings, all rescues, and have never had an issue. I did train them separately, and made sure I spent time with each on their own.

That being said, I would always rather have an older dog than a puppy. We now have two a similar age and one pup, again all rescues, and whilst they tolerate each other fairly amicably (most of the time) in no way are they more bonded to each other than to me. We do have three dogs of breeds predisposed to hate other dogs (and hate everything except their family) though.

goshhhhhh · 27/10/2015 08:21

My breeder told us she would never let someone have two. They bond with each other and not you and are therefore hard to train. Go to a puppy class and keep going. Socialise , be consistent and be patient.

mercifulTehlu · 27/10/2015 08:23

I don't know anything about having two at once, but what I'd do differently in the first few months (ddog is now 13 months) is give up straight away on crating him at night (or possibly at all). We stuck at it for ages because everyone said we should. But he never stopped waking and howling in the night, and we were hollow-eyed and exhausted. Eventually, in desperation, we let him sleep on his bed in our room one night. And put the crate in the loft the next day. He has recently taken to sleeping downstairs again, but if we shut him in the kitchen where he can't get to us if he wants to, he cries.

SunshineAndShadows · 27/10/2015 08:43

Are they a cross OP eh labradoodle/cockapoo type? If so I'd be very concerned about irresponsible breeding for money.

If they're mongrels I.e. Not bred to cash in on the 'designer' dog market I'd be less concerned about potential health/behaviour issues from irresponsible breeding.

Have you seen both parents? What sex are your pups?

As PP have said there are significant drawbacks to having two from the same litter but breed will influence to some extent how manageable this is.

Arkkorox · 27/10/2015 08:45

Any breeder that's responsible wouldn't let someone take on two pups. I would rethink this.

Chrisalice · 27/10/2015 09:18

I salute your commitment! I'd not have 2 dogs < 12 months at the same time (maybe even 18 months!), never mind puppies, unless I had time and energy to train and socialise them individually and plenty of opportunities for them to be with calm adult dogs to learn how to behave appropriately. And I know I'd never have that much energy :D
Its not been a success where I've seen it happen and owners have ended up not being able to enjoy their dogs for the reasons Sossidge and others have mentioned. Perhaps the breed will make a difference to how much of a challenge it will add and how big a problem if it doesn't work out. I hope all goes well for you.

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