I have 2 male, littermates. At about 10 weeks they started fighting. Horrible fighting where I have had to administer first aid. But they hate to be separated. Sometimes they play and work together well. But at others the fighting is terrifying. I'm afraid one will get hurt badly. Is this alpha dominance issues? Is this normal? (I have never had multiple pups before...) Will they grow out of it? Chaco and Turkey, are nearly 14 wks now. Help!
Hi @Micki It's inadvisable to get litter mates, unless you are running a large kennel. You are experiencing why. It is a reasonably common issue. The problem will not improve. You will have to keep them apart and raise them as two individuals. Since that it likely to be intractable I would advise that you see whether the breeder will take one of them back. If that is is not feasible, then sell one of them. I'm sorry to be blunt but the breeder should not have sold you litter mates.
Hi Micki, First of all, 'alpha dominance issues' are not really a thing - there is a very useful piece of writing on this very site explaining this, right here: link Secondly, as Michael quite rightly points out, the breeder should not have sold you two pups from the same litter. I would suggest you google 'littermate syndrome' and read about other people's experiences and strategies for combating the issue. If you aren't willing to sell or return one of them, then you will have to do double the work that most people with puppies have to, because you have double the puppies. You will need to feed, walk, crate, train, socialize, and play with them separately. If you want them both to have the same range of experiences, everything will need to be done twice.
What’s done is done. You have litter mates. They aren’t gonna kill each each other. They aren’t vying for top dog, they are playing. They will take most of your time and they do need to be trained separately. The problem with siblings is that they bond to each other and not you which where the problem occurs. The fighting is natural.
Thank you for your advice. It was the breeder who actually pushed me to take them both. I really only wanted one. They were the only males left... i picked the silver and he gave me the scrawny chocolate as well. (Chaco turns out to be the better dog for me hahaha!) Well this is heatbreaking news. Yet all information seems to point to having to separate the pups. I've got some thinking to do. Thank you again for your advice.
Oh I believe they have bonded to me... I brought them to live in a tent on my off grid property when I got them. (We have a tiny house now). So they really kept close to me for a while. The fighting it seems is over me... "who does mom like best?" They have complete opposite personalities. One is brains one is brawn. I think separation times is what is needed. Thank you for the info, and post!
Thanks for the links to more info. I appreciate it. I have a lot of thinking to do, before I make a decision. But in the meantime, separating them may be the best short term solution.
Hi @Micki It is advisable for you and the puppies to raise one only. But if you have bonded with both of them, then I really do understand that it will be a heart-breaking choice. If you do decide to keep both, then as I pointed out indirectly in my first post you will need to raise them so that you become the centre of each dog's life. So initially walks, recalls, and almost everything else vis a vis training will need to be done one after the other. If you have a partner who will help, then puppy and obedience classes can be handled. It will not be easy. Let us know how you get on. No easy choice here.
@Micki I suggest you have a look at Trish Harris's ebook When Three's a Crowd. It will provide you with some useful advice about your suspicion that the puppies are fighting over you. It also discusses multiple dog households. With more information a decision might be easier. And if you decide to keep both it will raise your awareness of the issues you MIGHT face.
