Just thought i'd type up my thoughts on having 2 puppies to train at the same time for anyone who's interested 
5 days ago now we brought Dood and Lily home. We'd been to see them about 4 times in the run-up to them coming home. Everything started out quite well whilst they were still shy in their new home and Dood was doing exceptionally well at learning/followiing the rules (he's still doing quite well but just trying to see how much he can get away with) :P
Lily is the stubborn one of the two who is resisting almost every lesson that she can! She's an adorable little puppy but by god, if she wants to do something you've got a fight on your hands to stop her!
This is where the problem with 2 puppies comes in.... When Lily does something wrong we have to correct her. This means leaving Dood alone in situations where for example she's peed in the house. If theyre both outside together then they play with each other and so are distracted from learning the lesson of ''outside means go pee''. But then Dood cries if he's left alone whilst we correct/teach Liy outside.
Also with teaching commands using treats, they are more focused on getting the treat before the other one does than they are on learning the command.
I've had this week off work to help them adjust to the new rules and lifestyle and it makes me so proud of both of them when i see the progress that we've made. Things are going much slower than if we only had one puppy to worry about, but at the same time when im sat on the sofa with both the puppies sleeping on the mat after a good few hours of dedication to me following them around - i can see that slowly but surely, theyre on their way and when they finally get there it'll be so worth it in the end.
At times its stressful, frustrating and almost even disheartening when they dont follow a rule but this is the time where the bonds are formed as they learn that you are a firm, gentle and caring leader so that as they grow and mellow out - you will have some truly wonderful times together.
As much as they have to learn about their new home and family, im beginning to understand that i have much to learn from them also. this is demonstrated in Lily's potty accidents, where she must learn to go outside and i must learn to read her behaviour enough to predict her need to go potty. Also with Dood, im learning that as much as i need to be firm with his training - he also likes a comforting voice to talk him to sleep so we compromise. i reassure him to make him comfortable enough to sleep, and he gives me a decent nights sleep in return.
im babbling as its late now, and the dogs gave my patience a run for my money earlier, but these are just my thoughts so that anyone else considering getting 2 puppies at once can hopefully read this and get a good idea for what is best for both themselves and the potential new family member(s)
5 days ago now we brought Dood and Lily home. We'd been to see them about 4 times in the run-up to them coming home. Everything started out quite well whilst they were still shy in their new home and Dood was doing exceptionally well at learning/followiing the rules (he's still doing quite well but just trying to see how much he can get away with) :P
Lily is the stubborn one of the two who is resisting almost every lesson that she can! She's an adorable little puppy but by god, if she wants to do something you've got a fight on your hands to stop her!
This is where the problem with 2 puppies comes in.... When Lily does something wrong we have to correct her. This means leaving Dood alone in situations where for example she's peed in the house. If theyre both outside together then they play with each other and so are distracted from learning the lesson of ''outside means go pee''. But then Dood cries if he's left alone whilst we correct/teach Liy outside.
Also with teaching commands using treats, they are more focused on getting the treat before the other one does than they are on learning the command.
I've had this week off work to help them adjust to the new rules and lifestyle and it makes me so proud of both of them when i see the progress that we've made. Things are going much slower than if we only had one puppy to worry about, but at the same time when im sat on the sofa with both the puppies sleeping on the mat after a good few hours of dedication to me following them around - i can see that slowly but surely, theyre on their way and when they finally get there it'll be so worth it in the end.
At times its stressful, frustrating and almost even disheartening when they dont follow a rule but this is the time where the bonds are formed as they learn that you are a firm, gentle and caring leader so that as they grow and mellow out - you will have some truly wonderful times together.
As much as they have to learn about their new home and family, im beginning to understand that i have much to learn from them also. this is demonstrated in Lily's potty accidents, where she must learn to go outside and i must learn to read her behaviour enough to predict her need to go potty. Also with Dood, im learning that as much as i need to be firm with his training - he also likes a comforting voice to talk him to sleep so we compromise. i reassure him to make him comfortable enough to sleep, and he gives me a decent nights sleep in return.
im babbling as its late now, and the dogs gave my patience a run for my money earlier, but these are just my thoughts so that anyone else considering getting 2 puppies at once can hopefully read this and get a good idea for what is best for both themselves and the potential new family member(s)
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