Is it sibling rivalry??

[EAO76]

One more thing; you mentioned asking your vet for tips. Keep in mind that vets are not experts on behavior. I have gotten some bad advice from vets on both nutrition and behavior so it’s best to seek the advice of a qualified animal behaviorist or read some behavior books. One thing you can ask your vet is if he has any recommendations on local trainers. But remember there are a lot of bad trainers out there so do your research. Good luck!

 

[CodysPop]

Don't have to tell me twice.... I read all about it when you made me aware. Everything is now being done seperately. I have another question though. If one pup was to take classes and the other wasn't, would the things learned be forgotten from too much interaction with the non-trained pup? Unfortunately my brother isn't as involved with the training and such, as I am. I will take his pup to classes as well, if it is a problem with one being trained and the other not. However, if I am able to just use the things taught in class with the other pup, I would prefer that.

Any suggestions help :D

 

[EAO76]

Don't have to tell me twice.... I read all about it when you made me aware. Everything is now being done seperately. I have another question though. If one pup was to take classes and the other wasn't, would the things learned be forgotten from too much interaction with the non-trained pup? Unfortunately my brother isn't as involved with the training and such, as I am. I will take his pup to classes as well, if it is a problem with one being trained and the other not. However, if I am able to just use the things taught in class with the other pup, I would prefer that.

Any suggestions help :D

Well the one thing about training classes is that it’s more about the human learning the techniques and then applying them and practicing them everyday. So you could certainly use what you learn on each dog and work with them at home. However it’s really a great experience for the dogs to get out and practice what they are learning around other people and dogs. Its great socialization and it teaches them to listen in the midst of distractions.

I was lucky because we found puppy classes that were offered on different nights. My husband took our male one night and I took our female on a different night. There were a few occasions that my husband couldn’t make it so I went two nights a week. If that is not possible for you maybe you could start with one dog and then when his class finishes start over with the next dog.

But really there is a lot of stuff you can do. For example take each dog to a park and do mini training sessions there. That way they will learn to listen even if there are kids and dogs running around. Or hire a private trainer to do a few lessons at home with you. That way you can crate one dog while you’re working the other.

The bottom line is that it’s more about how much effort you put into it. And remember it’s never too early to start. Teaching a puppy is much easier than teaching an adult!

 

[max&lilly]

It sounds like you've gotten some great advice, and the only thing I have to add is that you can take part in teaching about the bite inhibition as well. When one of the pups bites you in that playful way, you can yelp loudly, almost like another dog might do. If you act hurt you can reinforce the idea that biting is bad. It's just a trick our trainer taught us when Max was a baby. Good luck!

 

[liamsmom]

OH BOY...littermates! that's tough.
although Liam and Moby are not littermates....we adopted them both as puppies only a few months apart. and it was apparent that if we didn't intervene.....they would have bonded to each other............leaving us out in left field somewhere. they weren't listening to a word we said. they would turn their heads and look the other way.
so...we got enrolled in obedience class. although, we didn't attend seperate classes (our training center is almost an hour away) looking back, i wish we would have enrolled in seperate classes because Liam and Moby were always looking for each other and wanting to interact in some way. hubby and i had to make a concious effort to keep away from one another in class. it has worked out, yes. but it really would have been better if we went to class on different days/nights.
all i can tell you is TIME APART...TIME APART...TIME APART!!!! we worked hard to give our two boys time apart from one another. it' was/is very time consuming but it is certainly possible. during the first 6 or 8 weeks we would only take one of them out of their crate at a time. one in a crate...one out of the crate at all times. THAT WAS TIME CONSUMING. we were constantly switching back and forth because of potty time, etc. but it really helped them bond to us and not each other. another thing that helped us a lot.......we took up all toys. i know it sounds cruel but by doing that...we were able to teach them to play with us...not each other all the time. instead of letting them play with each other......playtime was with either my husband or myself...with a different toy each time and lots of treats. we did, however, leave chewies around for them to chomp on because they needed that. chewing on bones is something we taught them to do on their own. with three Boxers in the house...the last thing we need is possessivness over a bone! so we taught them to leave each other alone when any of them have a chew.
we continue to go to obedience (almost a year) and we are now in pre-open classes. hubby works with Liam and I work with Moby...we never switch. the boys are less interested in what the other is doing in class now. but sometimes they'll pass each other and go into play mode. so we still work on time apart,
not to say that Liam and Moby are never allowed to play with each other....they are. just supervised with our interation involved. left to their own devices...they can get a bit out of hand with each other. plus - hubby and i want to remain "the fun ones" in the "pack".
if i had to do it all over again...........i don't think i would choose to raise two puppies so close in age at the same time. with that said........we volunteer with rescue.......so i can't say that this situation may never arise for us again. but the next time i would know what i was getting into. and i would have to give it some serious thought.
you can do it though. just set your mind to it and you'll be fine.

 

[maxnmiah]

The only thing is i wish we did more research and knew of "Littermates Syndrome" before getting 2 puppies the same age. I have learned that NEVER again will we get 2 puppies at the same time. Its three times harder with 2 than with just one. The work is never-ending! We are in the process now of doing seperate things with each one. When we go to the park, we each take a dog and walk seperate ways then meet up a little bit later. So far we are fortunate in that they do not ignore us when we talk to them. They are too attached to wanting to be with us at every moment, have to watch where you walk as oftentimes they are under your feet. I have never had dogs that are so in love with their owners and just thrive on their companionship, these dogs just amaze me how they are intelligent, persistent, goofy, and cuddly all in one package!