You and your family decide to adopt a puppy. When you go to the breeder, there are only two dogs left. You only planned on bringing home one dog but should you take two?
It’s a decision that tugs at the heartstrings but comes with its own set of complexities. Here’s a more detailed look to help you weigh your options.
Pros of Adopting Sibling Puppies
The puppies can keep each other entertained. They can play, wrestle, and nap together, which can be especially helpful if you have a busy schedule. This companionship can reduce boredom and loneliness when you're not around.
Growing up together means they learn social cues and bite inhibition from each other, which can lead to well-rounded adult dogs. They also benefit from having a constant playmate which can reduce anxiety and stress in new environments.
Two puppies mean double the love, laughter, and adorable moments. Watching them interact can be heartwarming and entertaining, adding a lot of joy to your household.
Cons of Adopting Sibling Puppies
Puppies adopted together might form a stronger bond with each other than with their human family. This can hinder their ability to connect with and obey their owners, making training and behavior management more difficult. I suggest clients spend one-on-one time with each puppy individually so they rely on you and not their sibling.
They might become overly dependent on each other, leading to severe separation anxiety if they are ever apart. This can create problems if one puppy needs to go to the vet or a different home for any reason. Separating siblings into separate crates as early as possible is also key to them becoming confident, independent adult dogs.
Think about the financial aspect of adopting two puppies at the same time. It’s double the work, double the mess, and double the expenses. Everything from vet visits to food and toys will cost twice as much. Many people adopting two puppies think it will be easier but I always caution that it’s actually three times the work.
Training two puppies at the same time is significantly more challenging. They can distract each other during training sessions, making it hard for them to focus on learning. Individual training sessions are a must, which doubles the time commitment.
When I train siblings, I split the training session in two, having the client work with one dog at a time. Since the dog that’s not being trained is in its crate, it will sometimes cry and bark for its sibling.
Adopting siblings can sometimes mean dealing with genetic health issues that both puppies might inherit. Additionally, if one puppy falls ill, the other is at a higher risk of contracting the illness due to their close contact.
***Adopting sibling puppies is a big decision with rewards and challenges. At The Well-Trained Dog & Pet Care, we're here to support you through every step of your pet parenting journey. If you ever need advice or assistance, just give us a call at (540) 353-2485 or email info@thewell-traineddog.com. We're always here to help!
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