Double Trouble: Siblings + House mates

Many times I get calls from folks who own more than one dog. Sometimes their dogs are litter mates, sometimes they are just house mates. A lot of these types of calls are because these folks are having dog problems such as fighting and not listening. 

From the first day the puppies arrived, unless certain rules and ways to manage living with more than one dog were planned, these other worrisome problems do arise:

1. Over bonding between the puppies. There is no room for the puppy to learn when all they do is spend time with their sibling to the exclusion of people. The puppies rely on each other rather build a relationship with their new human family.

2. Slow to learn basic Life skills. Many times, litter mates have difficulty getting house trained because when they do go outdoors they forget to go potty; they are too busy playing, chasing and biting each other.

3. Lack Bite Inhibition. As puppies, they are constantly biting each other, they learn to tolerate the behavior. They think it is alright to bite everyone else. They don't learn self control.

4. Distressed when Separated. Often the puppies are always together; going outside; riding in the car; and many times crated together. This reliance on each other mask their weakness because as a pair they are confident; separated they feel unsure and afraid. 

5. Coming of Age Fighting. Since they were little they have been rehearsing how to fight. Now that they are older it has become more serious as they grow from adolescents to adults.  This may be a ranking issue that created a boldness rather than tolerance.

Some unhappy out comes from living with a house full of dogs without Rules and Control are:

• Lack of Trust
• Nervous about People and other dogs 
• Afraid of Sounds and Novel Stimuli
• Difficult to gain Attention and Focus
• Life Threatening Fighting

So what to do? Divide and conquer! Keep a schedule for your dogs that includes; spending time alone from each other, time separately with you and time with each other. 

Do keep in mind that two puppies or dogs mean Double Everything!! Double food; Double poop and pee; Double walks; Double crates; Double boarding; and Double Vet bills and Double Training!! 

While it isn't impossible to have more than one dog, it isn't for the Faint of Heart either! Already in this boat?! Well roll up your sleeves, make your "To Do" list and then you can have double the fun!

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070