Two Boxer puppies at once ???

[Gabby]

Today i got two puppies from the same litter brother and sister. I had boxers before and in fact i lost one last year ago to cancer :( My son loved him and he was really wanted a dog. I waited a year so my son can turn 3. When we decided to get a puppy we didn't plan to get two but the guy we got them from offered to us a white female for free. So here i am with two pups 8 weeks old and i would like to know is there anybody here that got two puppies at once ??? what should i prepare myself for ??? how to train them etc. Please let me know

 

[Caney Creek]

Raising two puppies at once is literally TWICE the work as raising one pup, because in order for them to form their own identities and not become dependent on one another, everything must be done separately -- crating, walking, training, playing, etc. The more time they spend together as youngsters the closer they will bond to each other and therefore the less important you will be in their eyes. In order for them to become loyal and well-behaved adult dogs, they need to form a strong bond with YOU while they are young.

It can be done, but it will not be easy... especially when you've already got a 3 year old child to care for as well! :o Good luck!

Here are some older posts about raising two puppies at the same time, as well as a few internet articles regarding "littermate syndrome":
Stan Rawlinson explains the problems of rearing Two Pups from same litter
Raising Siblings

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/rearing-puppies/146293-please-help-one-two-puppies.html
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/puppy-socializing/138303-raising-littermates-any-experiences.html
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/behavioral-issues/130345-sibling-rivalry.html


Can I ask why the breeder gave the female away for free? Is she deaf?

 

[EAO76]

I have raised littermates and there are challenges. It’s not always an ideal situation but with a little work it can be done properly. Just do you best to socialize them individually w/ other people & dogs. It’s important that they do not become overly bonded to each other. Do a search on Boxerworld for Littermate Syndrome & you will get a lot of helpful info.

 

[Gabby]

Can I ask why the breeder gave the female away for free? Is she deaf?

First of all i wanted to thank u for all the info :D
No she is not deaf he just couldn't sell it and he asked us if we want it I didn't have the heart to say no.

 

[Caney Creek]

First of all i wanted to thank u for all the info :D
No she is not deaf he just couldn't sell it and he asked us if we want it I didn't have the heart to say no.

Good, just had to ask If she was deaf the breeder might not be up front with you about it -- which is the first thing that came to mind when you mentioned she was free. But that's good that she's not deaf

 

[MypupShooter]

I have no advise but want just want to say good luck! Cannot wait to see pics of the little ones!!!

 

[dbetz]

Duke and Rudy are littermates and I have to say we have had so much fun with them. Don't get me wrong there are definately challenges but my two get along beautifully (they are almost 3 now). They are not "inseparable" and we often take one out without the other without incident. There is never a dull moment but I would not trade having my 2 Boxers for anything in the world. Oh...and there's always the extra expense...

Good Luck and have FUN!

 

[Marleysboys]

We're in the same boat! My puppies (both males) are 3 months old now..I've had them since they were 11 weeks. They are definitely a challenge..didn't think it would be that hard until I brought them home! haha. I did read about the littermate syndrome and other articles, but I agree and disagree with some of it. The dogs will become dependent on each other (obviously they will always want to be together), but I don't think it is absolutely necessary to do everything separate.
Ever since I brought mine home, I have been feeding them in separate places, crating them in separate cages is a MUST (they need their own spaces..even when they are little),
I do let them play together and depending on their attitudes toward each other at that time depends on if I separate them or not..sometimes I put one puppy in my bedroom with my husband while I'm playing with the other in the living room..if they get too "rough", I separate them as well..or if they get to crazy, I'll grab on and hold him for about a minute or two until he calms down. Now since they are older, they do listen to my husband and I so when I say "Stop" they definitely stop and calm down.
Toys- have LOTS and LOTS of them! And well actually, doesn't matter how many you have, they will always go for the same toy (just like kids!)..easy way to stop this is by simply pushing a different toy on one dog if they are going for the other one..it distracts them and they will play with it for a while.
Training-I did train them separately..mainly because they would just distract each other if I did it together. same with potty training..take them out separately so they learn to do their business quickly. If you take them both outside at the same time, they just start playing and will take a while for them to go! I can now take them out together and they go potty and want to go right back in.
Walks- the first time I took mine out on a walk, they actually did great, they walked right next to each other and close to us. I've heard different things on this though, walk together, walk separately..I guess I would do what works best for you and them!

All in all- it IS a lot of work..you will be frustrated numerous times a day more than likely but it so pays off in the end!! My advice is just to do what works best for you! See how they act together, see how they act separately. I truly don't see too much of the "littermate syndrome" with my pups. They bond together great, but they also bond with us too. Good Luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[TwoDogs]

I agree and disagree with some of it. The dogs will become dependent on each other (obviously they will always want to be together), but I don't think it is absolutely necessary to do everything separate.

I don't think anyone (even the authors of the numerous articles you find on littermate syndrome online) implies that the pups have to live completely separate lives or that you must never do anything with them together. What they do mean is that everything that you do with your pups together, you should also make a habit of doing with them one-on-one as well.

The potential for littermate syndrome is very real. Think about how many people have ill-mannered, under-socialized, under-exercised dogs--and they only have one to deal with. Imagine two pups in the hands of those people at once!

I honestly think that the people that would raise one dog correctly (giving it everything it needs for proper health, mental and physical development) are the people for whom raising two pups together would have less potential for disaster. It would sound like Marleysboys is one of those people. Most of the articles are probably aimed at the people who wouldn't be good raisers of one pup, let alone two. If the authors can convince those people to do half of what the articles suggest, then the owners (and the pups) will be so much better off for it.

 

[Marleysboys]

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm sure it is very real and I do agree with you that there are many many people who can barely raise one dog correctly (even if they think they are doing a great job). I know a few of those people and just want to hit them over the head and say..what are you thinking? Yes, it's a dog, but it's also a family member/child!!!
I took great care of my previous boxer (Buster), even though I was with him for the last 2 years of his life. I always made sure he was well taken care of (mentally, health wise, exercise, etc..) I did everything I could for him and fought for him til the very last breath he took. That's how I am and plan on raising my 2 pups.
I understand that the authors aren't implying to have the dogs live completely separate lives, but it probably comes off that way to a lot of people and thats why they don't separate the dogs when needed.
There are way too many people out there who think "oh let's get a puppy..they are so fun" and in return don't take care of it like they should..I'm working very hard with my 2 puppies and yes it's a challenge, but if I didn't think I would be up for it, I wouldn't have taken in both, I would have only gotten one. I work with both of them separately and together, depending on what it is and how they act. Training (sit,stay,come, etc..), I do separately so they learn for themselves and not from each other. I'm proud of them in how much they have learned thus far and know that they will be great dogs when older!