🐾 Littermate Syndrome:
Your Survival Guide
Critical steps to raise two healthy, independent Doodles
📋 Quick Reference Guide
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Separate Everything: Feeding, sleeping, training, walks, playtime
Individual Identity: Each puppy learns their own name and commands
Limit Shared Activities: Until 6+ months of successful separation training
🚨 Understanding Littermate Syndrome
As professional Doodle breeders, we've seen this challenging situation many times. Littermate syndrome isn't a medical condition, but rather a behavioral phenomenon where two puppies from the same litter become so bonded to each other that they struggle to function independently.
Warning Signs Include:
- Extreme separation anxiety when apart
- Difficulty bonding with humans
- Increased aggression between the dogs
- Trouble with basic training and socialization
- Fearfulness in new situations
- Resource guarding issues
The good news: With immediate action and consistent dedication, you can successfully raise two healthy, well-adjusted Doodles!
⚡ Critical First Steps (Start RIGHT NOW!)
🍽️ Step 1: Separate Everything Immediately
Feeding: Feed the puppies in separate crates. Never allow them to eat together, as this prevents food guarding and competition.
Sleeping: Each puppy needs their own crate.
Training: All training sessions must be conducted separately. Never train both puppies simultaneously.
📊 Step 2: Implement the 80/20 Rule
Your puppies should spend 80% of their time apart early on to each become emotionally independent healthy citizens and only 20% together. This means:
- Separate crate time
- Individual walks
- One-on-one play sessions
- Solo training sessions
- Individual socialization experiences
⏰ Step 3: Create Individual Schedules
Stagger their activities so they're rarely doing the same thing at the same time:
- Puppy A gets an outing while Puppy B is crated
- Scheduled Separations: Implement daily routines with planned periods of separation for naps, walks, and training.
- Puppy B gets training while Puppy A naps
- Alternate who gets free time in the house
🗓️ Daily Management Schedule
🌅 Morning Routine
- Wake up and immediately separate the puppies
- Individual potty breaks (if too much playing and not enough go potty) - this is important so while you potty train they are not busy playing and forgetting what they are outside for!
- Separate feeding - each baby in their own crate
- One puppy gets exercise while the other rests
☀️ Throughout the Day
- Rotate who gets attention every 2-3 hours
- Individual training sessions (5-10 minutes each)
- Separate socialization experiences
- One-on-one play time with humans
🌙 Evening Routine
- Feed dinner each in their own crate
- Separate final potty breaks (again right now we have to be sure potty training proceeds)
- Each puppy settles in their own space for the night
🎓 Training Essentials (Always Separate!)
Focus on Individual Identity
Each puppy must learn their own name and respond to you individually. Never call both puppies at the same time.
Basic Commands (Taught Separately)
- Sit: Foundation for impulse control
- Stay: Teaches patience and self-control
- Come: Critical for safety and recall
- Down: Ultimate calm command
- Leave it: Prevents resource guarding
Leash Training
Each puppy must learn to walk on a leash without their sibling present. This is crucial for their individual confidence and your sanity during walks!
🌟 Socialization Guidelines
The Golden Rule: Always Separate
Never socialize both puppies together during this critical period. Each puppy needs to learn to interact with the world independently.
Individual Socialization Activities
- Individual puppy training for each (at home or class)
- Individual trips for car outings and combined is always a good plan
- Separate outings for each pup, including visits with other dogs
- One-on-one interactions with new people
Exposure List (Do Individually)
- Different environments (parks, streets, buildings)
- Various people (children, elderly, people in uniforms)
- Different dogs (various sizes, ages, temperaments)
- New experiences (grooming, vet visits, nail trims)
⚠️ Managing the Challenges
Dealing with Separation Anxiety
When separated, the puppies will likely whine, cry, or become destructive. This is normal and necessary. Do not give in to their distress – you're teaching them independence.
Preventing Resource Guarding
- Feed separately always
- Provide each toys when they are in separate areas
- Supervise any shared activities closely
- Teach "wait" and "leave it" commands early
Exercise Requirements
Each puppy needs individual exercise appropriate for their age and breed. Never rely on them playing together as their primary exercise.
🔴 Warning Signs - Seek Help Immediately
More work is needed If You See:
- Extreme distress when separated (beyond normal puppy crying)
- Aggression between the siblings
- One puppy becoming completely submissive to the other
- Inability to focus on you when the other puppy is present
- Regression in house training or basic commands
🛒 Equipment You'll Need
Essential Items (Buy Two of Everything)
- Crates
- Food and water bowls
- Leashes and collars
- Toys
- Beds
- Crate for them to share for outings is fine
Training Tools
- Treat pouches
- Clickers
- Baby gates
- Long leashes for individual training
📅 Your Action Plan for Success
Week 1-2: Establish Separation
- Focus entirely on keeping them apart
- Begin basic name recognition
- Start individual potty training
- Establish feeding routines
Week 3-4: Individual Training
- Begin basic command training (separately)
- Start individual socialization
- Maintain strict separation schedule
- Monitor for concerning behaviors
Week 5-8: Expanding Independence
- Increase individual exercise
- Begin separate puppy classes
- Practice alone time
- Continue individual training separately
Month 2-6: Building Confidence
- Individual adventures and outings
- Separate training sessions
- Monitor progress in independence
- Gradually increase alone time
💪 The Long-Term Commitment
Successfully raising littermates requires months of dedicated effort. You're essentially raising two separate dogs who happen to live in the same house. This means:
- Double the time commitment
- Double the training effort
- Double the socialization requirements
- Constant vigilance to prevent over-bonding
Remember: The temporary inconvenience of adequate separation now will save you years of behavioral problems later. Your puppies may seem distressed initially, but you're giving them the gift of independence and the ability to form strong bonds with humans.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Raising two littermates successfully is possible, but it requires unwavering commitment to ensuring each puppy gains the confidence during their crucial puppyhood. The goal is to raise two confident, independent dogs who can function perfectly well without each other.
Stay consistent, be patient, and don't hesitate to seek professional help when needed. Your dedication now will result in two well-adjusted, confident adult dogs who can enjoy life both together and apart.