Two puppies in one crate-good or bad?

[grommes]

We have two pups that we are trying to crate train. They are brother and sister, and really like sleeping on and cuddling with each other. My question is, is it a good idea to keep them in the same crate until they are older or will this make it worse in the future? We have only had them for two nights so far and they have been OK for now. Any advise would be appreciated. The crate is in our bed room next to our bed, they didnt like it in the other room by themselves.

Thanks, Nick

 

[Caney Creek]

Go ahead and separate them, as their current arrangement will likely cause problems later down the road, and the earlier you fix it the better. When you are raising two puppies at the same time, especially littermates, you want to do everything possible to avoid "littermate syndrome." The puppies need individual attention and training so that they are able to bond with their owners and not too much with each other. If the latter happens, you'll end up with two adult dogs who are dependent upon each other and who don't listen to commands very well. Worst case scenario, they could even end up not getting along once they're adults if they don't get enough individual attention.

Read these articles for more info on littermate syndrome, so you know what to watch for and avoid.
Raising Siblings
Rearing Siblings


Congrats and good luck!

 

[ehayes21]

Bad idea, everyone needs their own space. As Caney suggested, please read up on raising siblings.

 

[grommes]

Thanks for the great ideas! I read up on the articles and now have a better understanding of how to handle this new and unfamiliar situation. I know that this may have seemed like a stupid question now that I'm informed but hey, I guess we all gotta start somewhere. Thanks for not making me feel too dumb! I will try the new techniques!!

Thanks, Nick

 

[jonahsmom]

i have two too

I also have two pups. They are 13 weeks and 10 weeks. male and female. but they are from different litters. I bought an extra large kennel for the both of them when I am at work. When I only had Jonah I kept him out. But now with both of them, I don't think that's such a good idea. I guess it's sort of a different scenario since they aren't litter mates. Should I keep Jonah out and put Mylie in? Or would they both be ok in there together?

 

[ehayes21]

You need to get two crates. Everyone needs their own space. It's never a good idea to crate two dogs together - even if they're puppies.

 

[grommes]

OK update!! Last night was the first night the puppies were in their OWN crates. They went to bed at 930 and were awesome till 3 a.m. Then they were let outside, did their business and went back in the crates, not so happy when they were back in the crates, so they slept 3 more hours on our bed at our feet.

Does this sound about right? They are only 7 weeks old so i know this is going to take time but i would like to believe that we are headed in the right direction. I cant believe that these little guys can hold it that long at night when during the day it seems they pee every 10 min!!

Thanks, Nick

 

[Caney Creek]

They went to bed at 930 and were awesome till 3 a.m. Then they were let outside, did their business and went back in the crates, not so happy when they were back in the crates, so they slept 3 more hours on our bed at our feet.

That's probably not a good idea. In fact, I can tell you from experience that letting them sleep on your bed is a BAD idea :( It's to be expected that they cry in the crates a little at first -- after all, they are babies But by letting them sleep on your bed you're only making it harder for them to get accustomed to the crates, and you're showing them that there is another (much nicer) option -- being on your comfy bed, with you -- that they will not give up without a fight.

When we first brought baby Caney home we let her stay on our bed the first two nights, then started keeping her in her crate next to our bed at night. BAD idea. We probably cost ourselves 2 extra weeks of puppy crying most of the night, because she knew that she could be on our bed. It took her much longer to adjust than it would have if we had crated her at night from the very beginning.

Unless you plan to make this a permanent arrangement (ie. you're going to continue to let them do this when they're full grown) the sooner you fix it the better.

 

[TwoDogs]

I also have two pups. They are 13 weeks and 10 weeks. male and female. but they are from different litters. I bought an extra large kennel for the both of them when I am at work. When I only had Jonah I kept him out. But now with both of them, I don't think that's such a good idea. I guess it's sort of a different scenario since they aren't litter mates. Should I keep Jonah out and put Mylie in? Or would they both be ok in there together?

Yours is not a different scenario just because they are from different litters. There is only three weeks between their ages. They will bond just as if they were actual littermates. You still need to make sure that you individualize them. Feed them separate, train them separate, walk and play with them seperate (at least some of the time), and definitely give them separate crates.

Absolutely crate them both (separately) when you are at work. One puppy will get into enough trouble, but two puppies will get into EVERYTHING. Whatever one doesn't think to get into trouble with, the other one will. Then once that pup starts in, whatever it was suddenly becomes interesting to the first one. For their safety (and your sanity), crate each of them in their own crate when you are gone.

 

[grommes]

I agree with what you are saying. Thanks for the advise, being that you know first hand this type of situation. We will try leaving them in their crates.

My next question is that how long is too long in their crates? Like I said, I cant believe they can hold it that long!! Also, how often should they be in their crates during the day if at all? The kids and nanny are home all day so there are people there to let them out, feed them, etc. But, should we get them used to being in their crates during the day as well and how often?

Nick