Need Help Concerning Two Puppies !
- Thread starter wdunn
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To be 100% honest and upfront, getting two puppies is more hassle than anyone realizes. If at all possible, stick with getting just one for now and then when it's out of total puppy stage and knows it's manners, then look into getting another one.
But if you are totally dead-set on getting two (though seriously, not a good idea), you are going to need to find a way to carve another chunk of hours out of your day. In order to properly raise two puppies, you are going to need to crate them seperately, walk them seperately (at least at first), play and train seperately and potty training is going to be just loads of fun. It's enough hassle with one, trying to do two at once is usually a good reason to become an alcoholic.
Why does everything need to be one on one, you might ask? Because otherwise the puppies are going to bond only to each other and will never grow up listening and respecting you. You will be the person who sets down the food and that's it. I know many dog pairs, even ones that weren't raised as puppies together, that are so bonded it's impossible to do anything with just one. And they run the house. It's sad, really.
Last thing, yes, it's fine to have two different breeds and it's actually ideal to have different genders. Keeps the probability for same-sex aggression down. Can I ask what breeds?
But if you are totally dead-set on getting two (though seriously, not a good idea), you are going to need to find a way to carve another chunk of hours out of your day. In order to properly raise two puppies, you are going to need to crate them seperately, walk them seperately (at least at first), play and train seperately and potty training is going to be just loads of fun. It's enough hassle with one, trying to do two at once is usually a good reason to become an alcoholic.
Why does everything need to be one on one, you might ask? Because otherwise the puppies are going to bond only to each other and will never grow up listening and respecting you. You will be the person who sets down the food and that's it. I know many dog pairs, even ones that weren't raised as puppies together, that are so bonded it's impossible to do anything with just one. And they run the house. It's sad, really.
Last thing, yes, it's fine to have two different breeds and it's actually ideal to have different genders. Keeps the probability for same-sex aggression down. Can I ask what breeds?
thanks very much for the help. i was set on getting two because i feel as if getting one would be cruel to leave it on its on for any length of time but it seems like two puppies is a bad idea 
. its a choice between 2 rottweillers or 2 labradors, i feel as if i can care for them all day because i have all the time in the world but im not sure?
. its a choice between 2 rottweillers or 2 labradors, i feel as if i can care for them all day because i have all the time in the world but im not sure?
Rotties or Labs...definitely get only one of each at a time! LOL! Both breeds are like four-legged tornadoes until they're over a year old...one is going to take up so much time, energy and resources (have a good vet fund built up!)...Labs puppies are insane! I got my Lab when she was 3 and she's still a handful at times. Redyre can give you a good picture of what it's like to live with Rottie pups.
It's a nice thought to get two to keep each other company, but again, if the pups are allowed to bond to each other, especially with such large, powerful breeds, you're in for trouble. You can look into a dog walker or doggy daycare if you think you're going to be gone for long hours...like how long are you talking? You might be better off getting a slightly older dog, because puppies do need a lot of attention.
It's a nice thought to get two to keep each other company, but again, if the pups are allowed to bond to each other, especially with such large, powerful breeds, you're in for trouble. You can look into a dog walker or doggy daycare if you think you're going to be gone for long hours...like how long are you talking? You might be better off getting a slightly older dog, because puppies do need a lot of attention.
Welcome to chaz! You're off to a great start already coming here and looking for advice!
My first advice on getting two puppies: Don't.
Raising ONE puppy is very difficult, it's basically like raising a baby. You have to supervise the puppy CONSTANTLY if he's not in a crate - I suggest leashing your puppy to you so that he's always right under your eyes and you can redirect unwanted behaviors and reward good behaviors. I cannot stress this enough: You will have to ALWAYS watch the puppy and be thinking about what he should or should not be doing. Your puppy will quite literally take over your life for at least the first month or so.
And that's just one puppy.
With two puppies, you will have to enlist someone else in your household to watch one puppy while you watch the other. It is possible to watch both at the same time, but this will pretty much require 100% of your attention - you won't be able to do anything else besides watching the puppies.
Raising puppies also means that you should spend a LOT of time the first month or two working on socializing your puppy. They should experience something new (new location, different types of people and dogs, new activity, etc.) at LEAST twice a week. Socialization is, IMO, the most important part of raising a healthy, happy puppy, and it's not an area you want to "scrimp" on. But again, with two puppies, you'll have to work on this individually, especially if "issues" arise - one puppy is scared of large men, another doesn't want to walk on slippery surfaces - and you have to spend the time to teach them to be ok with these issues.
Having two dogs also poses more problems because of the dynamics between the puppies. Especially if they're litter mates, but even if they're not, you'll have to spend the majority of your "puppy time" with the puppies individually, so that they'll bond to you more than they bond to each other. They need to be with you individually more than they're with each other. This means that you should not crate them together - so you'll have to make space for two crates, preferably a good distance from each other - and you can't rely on just throwing the two puppies together as a good way to exercise them, YOU still have to exercise them. Individually.
You'll also have to watch out for resource guarding, a problem that might show up months or years after you get the puppies. They could guard food bowls (one puppy chases the other puppy away from his food bowl, sometimes becoming aggressive about it. and sometimes even when the bowl is empty), toys, even you.
If you do get two dogs, it is best to get seperate genders, or if that's not possible, two males. Either way, it will be even more important that you get them spayed or neutered around 6 months old, before the female goes into heat and before the males get very "hormonal."
Of course, this is all not to mention the double vet bills, double training classes (again, seperate classes for each puppy, so twice a week!), double food costs, etc.
I hope this helped, if you'll give more specific details about what kind of puppies and how old you want, we might be able to help even more. Again, I'm very glad you came here for advice before you got the puppies, and I do hope you'll stick around and post some pictures of the one(s) you choose!
My first advice on getting two puppies: Don't.
Raising ONE puppy is very difficult, it's basically like raising a baby. You have to supervise the puppy CONSTANTLY if he's not in a crate - I suggest leashing your puppy to you so that he's always right under your eyes and you can redirect unwanted behaviors and reward good behaviors. I cannot stress this enough: You will have to ALWAYS watch the puppy and be thinking about what he should or should not be doing. Your puppy will quite literally take over your life for at least the first month or so.
And that's just one puppy.
With two puppies, you will have to enlist someone else in your household to watch one puppy while you watch the other. It is possible to watch both at the same time, but this will pretty much require 100% of your attention - you won't be able to do anything else besides watching the puppies.
Raising puppies also means that you should spend a LOT of time the first month or two working on socializing your puppy. They should experience something new (new location, different types of people and dogs, new activity, etc.) at LEAST twice a week. Socialization is, IMO, the most important part of raising a healthy, happy puppy, and it's not an area you want to "scrimp" on. But again, with two puppies, you'll have to work on this individually, especially if "issues" arise - one puppy is scared of large men, another doesn't want to walk on slippery surfaces - and you have to spend the time to teach them to be ok with these issues.
Having two dogs also poses more problems because of the dynamics between the puppies. Especially if they're litter mates, but even if they're not, you'll have to spend the majority of your "puppy time" with the puppies individually, so that they'll bond to you more than they bond to each other. They need to be with you individually more than they're with each other. This means that you should not crate them together - so you'll have to make space for two crates, preferably a good distance from each other - and you can't rely on just throwing the two puppies together as a good way to exercise them, YOU still have to exercise them. Individually.
You'll also have to watch out for resource guarding, a problem that might show up months or years after you get the puppies. They could guard food bowls (one puppy chases the other puppy away from his food bowl, sometimes becoming aggressive about it. and sometimes even when the bowl is empty), toys, even you.
If you do get two dogs, it is best to get seperate genders, or if that's not possible, two males. Either way, it will be even more important that you get them spayed or neutered around 6 months old, before the female goes into heat and before the males get very "hormonal."
Of course, this is all not to mention the double vet bills, double training classes (again, seperate classes for each puppy, so twice a week!), double food costs, etc.
I hope this helped, if you'll give more specific details about what kind of puppies and how old you want, we might be able to help even more. Again, I'm very glad you came here for advice before you got the puppies, and I do hope you'll stick around and post some pictures of the one(s) you choose!
lizzybeth727 - i so gratefull for that info it has really helped me judging my decision i will have to properly sit down and think about it cause im knew with getting a dog mabye one does sound like a better plan, and as you said it will be pretty expensive caring for two puppies, so mabye one would be better for me considering i am not very experienced caring for dogs and i would be able to channel all my attention to the puppy because i have been reading constantly for the last two-three weeks LOL. so i feel quite educated on caring for pups so when my decision is made i sure will upload a picture or two of my new pup and mabye a video aswell.
If you really want to dogs, I would start with an adult rescue- there are lots of adult labs and rottweilers that need homes and are already housebroken, calm and easy to live with. Give the adult dog a few months to settle in and bond with you, do plenty of obedience training so you have control when you bring in the next dog. Then get an opposite sex play mate puppy of whichever breed you prefer. This will let you focus on the crate training and house breaking of the puppy, since the adult will already be trained. And, the two can keep each other company.
I would not under any circumstances raise two pups at the same time- I can't imagine how anyone ever survives it. Still worse are two siblings. The worst cases of dog fighting I have seen were almost invariably siblings raised together, usually same sex, but one time a male and female (another time a mother/female puppy combo). People seem to think this is going to make the dogs so happy- to stay together with their family. The dogs do not seem to agree. Dogs are like two year olds- all about me and wanting all the attention. They do not want to share space, food or attention and the closer they are in size, sex, age and personality, the worse their conflict tend to be. Imagine living with two two year olds, both armed with handfuls of knives :yikes: To me it's actually amazing that two siblings raised together ever ends without serious blood shed.
I would not under any circumstances raise two pups at the same time- I can't imagine how anyone ever survives it. Still worse are two siblings. The worst cases of dog fighting I have seen were almost invariably siblings raised together, usually same sex, but one time a male and female (another time a mother/female puppy combo). People seem to think this is going to make the dogs so happy- to stay together with their family. The dogs do not seem to agree. Dogs are like two year olds- all about me and wanting all the attention. They do not want to share space, food or attention and the closer they are in size, sex, age and personality, the worse their conflict tend to be. Imagine living with two two year olds, both armed with handfuls of knives :yikes: To me it's actually amazing that two siblings raised together ever ends without serious blood shed.
I 110% agree with everyone who said getting 2 puppies at a time is a baaaad idea. Speaking from experience here, I got my two corgis at the same time. Never, never, never will I ever do it again. Not for all the money in the world.
I got two because I was still in school so I thought they could keep each other company and because they were the last two in the litter. Bad idea. I believe that both my dogs have suffered for it. The amount of work it takes to give two puppies everything they need is impossible to imagine. For the first year of their life my whole world revolved around these two and their schedules, and I STILL was not able to come out ahead in the end. It's just not worth it, in my opinion. Not worth it at all.
I would never trust a breeder who was willing to give a novice owner more then one puppy at a time. Or send one home knowing that they are currently raising another puppy.
Here are some links for you:
Link 1
Link 2 (definitely recommend you read this one)
If you Google Raising Sibling Puppies, there is a ton of information there. I have yet to find any site that recommends two at once.
I got two because I was still in school so I thought they could keep each other company and because they were the last two in the litter. Bad idea. I believe that both my dogs have suffered for it. The amount of work it takes to give two puppies everything they need is impossible to imagine. For the first year of their life my whole world revolved around these two and their schedules, and I STILL was not able to come out ahead in the end. It's just not worth it, in my opinion. Not worth it at all.
I would never trust a breeder who was willing to give a novice owner more then one puppy at a time. Or send one home knowing that they are currently raising another puppy.
Here are some links for you:
Link 1
Link 2 (definitely recommend you read this one)
If you Google Raising Sibling Puppies, there is a ton of information there. I have yet to find any site that recommends two at once.
What i notice with people who get two dogs they either
1. bond to each other and have a stronger bond to each other than either do to the owner or...
2. Start attacking each other.
Plus it means double the price, double the damage and double the chaos. Keeping your eyes on one puppy is hard enough, two must be insane! I always like the idea of building a really strong bond with your one dog before getting another, that way you and your dog are both well connected and your dog is trained well already, it just makes things easier and I think makes for a healthier relationship between you and your dog.
I'm glad you are not too upset, it can be hard to hear the truth when you looked forward to something, but hey your still getting a dog!
If you need help finding a breeder or a rescue pet ASK, I'll help, I'll scour petfinder, I have nothing else to do and it's of utmost importance to me that if you go to a breeder you go to someone good who will help you for the pet's entire life, especially with you being a first time owner, having a breeder who will be a mentor for you instead of just someone to give you the pup and say "thanks for the money, seeya!" will really help. most rescue groups will also answer questions and offer support for the dog's whole life.
1. bond to each other and have a stronger bond to each other than either do to the owner or...
2. Start attacking each other.
Plus it means double the price, double the damage and double the chaos. Keeping your eyes on one puppy is hard enough, two must be insane! I always like the idea of building a really strong bond with your one dog before getting another, that way you and your dog are both well connected and your dog is trained well already, it just makes things easier and I think makes for a healthier relationship between you and your dog.
I'm glad you are not too upset, it can be hard to hear the truth when you looked forward to something, but hey your still getting a dog!
If you need help finding a breeder or a rescue pet ASK, I'll help, I'll scour petfinder, I have nothing else to do and it's of utmost importance to me that if you go to a breeder you go to someone good who will help you for the pet's entire life, especially with you being a first time owner, having a breeder who will be a mentor for you instead of just someone to give you the pup and say "thanks for the money, seeya!" will really help. most rescue groups will also answer questions and offer support for the dog's whole life.
As the owner (well me and hubby) of 2 sets of litter mates. Its hard. Been there done that, and don't suggest it at all, unless you are a very experienced dog owner.
But if you can't handle 2 pups at once (which it seems like you might be realizing is more of an effort than first surmised) Get one and wait till that one is trained, house trained as an all over good canine citizen. THEN get another one.
Have you talked to breeders? I would stay away from any breeder that will willingly place 2 siblings in the same home, unless they are 110% sure you can handle two pups.
But if you can't handle 2 pups at once (which it seems like you might be realizing is more of an effort than first surmised) Get one and wait till that one is trained, house trained as an all over good canine citizen. THEN get another one.
Have you talked to breeders? I would stay away from any breeder that will willingly place 2 siblings in the same home, unless they are 110% sure you can handle two pups.
I sold two once with misgivings ( way before it was really a no-no ) but they convinced me that each would train separately ( they didn't have other dogs or children ) . They really did a good job on each , but when the pups were together all separate training went out the window . I kept in close touch and they finally decided at about 8 months to give one to a family member . A happy ending , but a bad beginning .