Raising Litter=mates?

DressageJulie · 12-12-2011, 11:42 PM

Hello -

I am new here and am just trying to find some insight on potentially raising litter-mates. My husband and I have an opportunity to get 2 German Shepherd puppies (they will be just over 8 weeks old when we get them). Originally, we were signed up to just get one but another one of the puppies became available and now we are weighing our options.

I just have a few general questions and then I am really looking for insight, experience, advice and anything else you might have to pass my way that could be helpful in our decision to get the second pup or not.

One of the bigger reasons that getting two of the puppies intrigues us is having a "his and her" dog. I am a big animal person with a degree nearly finished in Animal Science and have had lots of large animal training experience. Because of this, all of our pets tend to cling to me much more so than him. Initially, we were going to get the 1 puppy as mostly "his" dog but I have to be honest, it will be hard to step back and not want to jump in with training and wanting to do things with the puppy! So, we thought it would be neat for him to have "his" dog and me have "mine". We would do the training separately with the dogs and form bonds with both but specializing in our very own puppy that we choose for ourselves.

We understand that getting two puppies is going to be a lot of work but I am curious to hear from anyone that has experience in this for how much extra work may be involved in raising the puppies? I am also curious if anyone has an estimate for monthly costs?

I am also curious about cats. Currently, we have 3 cats. Now, I have this fantasy idea that they are all going to get along great and I am going to come home and find all 5 of them snuggled together in the corner of the living room just loving life. I did say fantasy, right? I know this won't be the case. If anyone has had any experience raising German Shepherd puppies around cats, would you mind sharing your experiences?

I really appreciate any and all feedback! This is an exciting time for us. I know we have a big decision to make with getting 1 or 2 puppies and I just want to make the right decision for both us and the puppies :-)

Thanks!

sashadog · 12-13-2011, 12:09 AM

As I've heard many times before on this forum, taking on two puppies at once isn't double the work, it's at least triple the work. Not only are you guys going to be working the pups individually, you'll want to work them together as well. You will need double the crates, double the food, vet bills, toys, bones, you probably get the picture

Honestly, if I were in your situation I would pass on the second puppy. Maybe it's just me and my significant other but having "his and hers" dogs has just turned into a competition about which dog is better behaved, sweeter, prettier, all that jazz... and they aren't even the same breed! :roll eyes:

Basically, if it's just about having a dog for each of you, I wouldn't do it. I'm sure other more experienced folks will come through and share their insight but overall, two puppies are a ton of extra work and don't forget, they'll be seniors at the same time also. So make sure if you do decide to go with both pups to plan for two aging dogs with potentially big vet bills.

sddeadeye · 12-13-2011, 12:10 AM

I'd love to get two puppies at once!

sddeadeye · 12-13-2011, 12:13 AM

My husband and I have "his" and "her" dogs. His is a hunting lab that we already have. Mine is a prospective competetive OB/agility pup that I won't be picking up until next year. I am glad that we separated getting them. Personally, I think having two pups at once is too much work.

Geeheim · 12-13-2011, 12:30 AM

I've never raised two puppies at once. Never will. It was a lot of work with just the one. I couldn't even imagine raising two at once.

Personally, I think it is a very bad idea to get two at once. Please read that link sddeadeye posted. Lots of good information there. I also don't know what kind of breeder would consider placing two of their puppies in the same home.

Freestep · 12-13-2011, 01:11 AM

DON'T DO IT!!

I know it seems like a good idea, but trust me... it's not. Read the above link.

Snarly · 12-13-2011, 01:48 AM

I've done it before and wouldn't do it again. It's not that it was too much work, it's that it was hard to divide time individually towards training etc. and for that reason they were not as well trained as they could have been. It's up to you though.

saraja87 · 12-13-2011, 01:50 AM

I don't think it's as bad as everyone seems to think it is :/. We have a his and hers type puppy situation in my house, my mother has a 12 month old sheltie and my husband and I have an 8.5 month old GSD. My mom trains her sheltie, my husband and I train our GSD (mostly me), and we attend an obedience class together every weekend. We are all in the same house, we have two of everything (crates, food bowls, pet insurance policies) and it hasn't been a problem. We do have 5 million toys lol.

One of the best things, is the puppies LOVE each other. My grandma called them the "twins" when she came to visit, and they wear each other into exhaustion playing together. It's wonderful being able to turn them loose in the backyard for a bit and have them sleep like logs for the next few hours. They have built in playmates. However, our GSD is 100% bonded to us, and my mom's sheltie is totally hers. We did make sure that they will respond to a recall from any of us though, just in case. It is more work potty training and obedience training two at once, but with two people you can totally make it work. If you're already going out at 2am to pee a puppy, what's taking two instead of one? You just need to make sure you're 100% dedicated to training your dog, and your husband is 100% dedicated to training his.

ETA: People keep mentioning training time, so I wanted to reiterate that you need to train your pup, and your husband needs to train his. If you're each dedicated to training one, no one will have to divide their attention

carmspack · 12-13-2011, 02:04 AM

how many times on this forum have we heard "and the other one just happened to become available"

raising littermates together benefits no one. Not the dogs as neither will rise to its full potential , not to the owner who will loose some of that special bond because the dogs will choose each other for companionship first . You will be the provider and the facilitator . If you want two dogs , great , but get one now , and one a year or so later.
I am suspicious of breeders who will take advantage of the easy sale .
think about it.

Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

yuricamp · 12-13-2011, 03:03 AM

I say if you want them get them. My neighbor has two females and he and his daughter separately train the girls. The naysayers frustrate me. Instead of saying "terrible idea....trust me," give examples from YOUR experience why you feel uncomfortable with the idea. the ZOP stated she has had formative training and that he and her husband are committed to training their animals. Do remember that these are social animals and with strong leadership some very positive relationships should bloom.

12-12-2011, 11:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
DressageJulie New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 5	Raising Litter=mates? Hello - I am new here and am just trying to find some insight on potentially raising litter-mates. My husband and I have an opportunity to get 2 German Shepherd puppies (they will be just over 8 weeks old when we get them). Originally, we were signed up to just get one but another one of the puppies became available and now we are weighing our options. I just have a few general questions and then I am really looking for insight, experience, advice and anything else you might have to pass my way that could be helpful in our decision to get the second pup or not. One of the bigger reasons that getting two of the puppies intrigues us is having a "his and her" dog. I am a big animal person with a degree nearly finished in Animal Science and have had lots of large animal training experience. Because of this, all of our pets tend to cling to me much more so than him. Initially, we were going to get the 1 puppy as mostly "his" dog but I have to be honest, it will be hard to step back and not want to jump in with training and wanting to do things with the puppy! So, we thought it would be neat for him to have "his" dog and me have "mine". We would do the training separately with the dogs and form bonds with both but specializing in our very own puppy that we choose for ourselves. We understand that getting two puppies is going to be a lot of work but I am curious to hear from anyone that has experience in this for how much extra work may be involved in raising the puppies? I am also curious if anyone has an estimate for monthly costs? I am also curious about cats. Currently, we have 3 cats. Now, I have this fantasy idea that they are all going to get along great and I am going to come home and find all 5 of them snuggled together in the corner of the living room just loving life. I did say fantasy, right? I know this won't be the case. If anyone has had any experience raising German Shepherd puppies around cats, would you mind sharing your experiences? I really appreciate any and all feedback! This is an exciting time for us. I know we have a big decision to make with getting 1 or 2 puppies and I just want to make the right decision for both us and the puppies :-) Thanks!

12-13-2011, 12:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
Geeheim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Arkansas Posts: 346	I've never raised two puppies at once. Never will. It was a lot of work with just the one. I couldn't even imagine raising two at once. Personally, I think it is a very bad idea to get two at once. Please read that link sddeadeye posted. Lots of good information there. I also don't know what kind of breeder would consider placing two of their puppies in the same home. __________________ -Tegan vom Heinolf German Shepherds VH FB page

12-13-2011, 01:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
Freestep Knighted Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,092	DON'T DO IT!! I know it seems like a good idea, but trust me... it's not. Read the above link. __________________ Luka von Sontausen, CD Vinca von Sontausen, CGC Freestep's Beluga Whale, BWD

12-13-2011, 01:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
saraja87 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 126	I don't think it's as bad as everyone seems to think it is :/. We have a his and hers type puppy situation in my house, my mother has a 12 month old sheltie and my husband and I have an 8.5 month old GSD. My mom trains her sheltie, my husband and I train our GSD (mostly me), and we attend an obedience class together every weekend. We are all in the same house, we have two of everything (crates, food bowls, pet insurance policies) and it hasn't been a problem. We do have 5 million toys lol. One of the best things, is the puppies LOVE each other. My grandma called them the "twins" when she came to visit, and they wear each other into exhaustion playing together. It's wonderful being able to turn them loose in the backyard for a bit and have them sleep like logs for the next few hours. They have built in playmates. However, our GSD is 100% bonded to us, and my mom's sheltie is totally hers. We did make sure that they will respond to a recall from any of us though, just in case. It is more work potty training and obedience training two at once, but with two people you can totally make it work. If you're already going out at 2am to pee a puppy, what's taking two instead of one? You just need to make sure you're 100% dedicated to training your dog, and your husband is 100% dedicated to training his. ETA: People keep mentioning training time, so I wanted to reiterate that you need to train your pup, and your husband needs to train his. If you're each dedicated to training one, no one will have to divide their attention __________________ Pippin, Shetland Sheepdog (1997 - 2011) - RIP sweet boy Haji Baba, Tabby Cat (1996 - 2012) - RIP my heart Button, Black Long Coat Cat (~June 5th, 2006) Milou Van Der Maas, Long Coat GSD (March 23, 2011) Last edited by saraja87; 12-13-2011 at 01:52 AM.

12-13-2011, 12:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
sashadog Master Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 570	As I've heard many times before on this forum, taking on two puppies at once isn't double the work, it's at least triple the work. Not only are you guys going to be working the pups individually, you'll want to work them together as well. You will need double the crates, double the food, vet bills, toys, bones, you probably get the picture Honestly, if I were in your situation I would pass on the second puppy. Maybe it's just me and my significant other but having "his and hers" dogs has just turned into a competition about which dog is better behaved, sweeter, prettier, all that jazz... and they aren't even the same breed! :roll eyes: Basically, if it's just about having a dog for each of you, I wouldn't do it. I'm sure other more experienced folks will come through and share their insight but overall, two puppies are a ton of extra work and don't forget, they'll be seniors at the same time also. So make sure if you do decide to go with both pups to plan for two aging dogs with potentially big vet bills.

12-13-2011, 12:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
sddeadeye Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Dakota Posts: 241	I'd love to get two puppies at once!

12-13-2011, 12:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
sddeadeye Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Dakota Posts: 241	My husband and I have "his" and "her" dogs. His is a hunting lab that we already have. Mine is a prospective competetive OB/agility pup that I won't be picking up until next year. I am glad that we separated getting them. Personally, I think having two pups at once is too much work.

12-13-2011, 01:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
Snarly Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 120	I've done it before and wouldn't do it again. It's not that it was too much work, it's that it was hard to divide time individually towards training etc. and for that reason they were not as well trained as they could have been. It's up to you though.

12-13-2011, 02:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
carmspack Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ontario - Posts: 3,325	how many times on this forum have we heard "and the other one just happened to become available" raising littermates together benefits no one. Not the dogs as neither will rise to its full potential , not to the owner who will loose some of that special bond because the dogs will choose each other for companionship first . You will be the provider and the facilitator . If you want two dogs , great , but get one now , and one a year or so later. I am suspicious of breeders who will take advantage of the easy sale . think about it. Carmen Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

12-13-2011, 03:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
yuricamp Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 130	I say if you want them get them. My neighbor has two females and he and his daughter separately train the girls. The naysayers frustrate me. Instead of saying "terrible idea....trust me," give examples from YOUR experience why you feel uncomfortable with the idea. the ZOP stated she has had formative training and that he and her husband are committed to training their animals. Do remember that these are social animals and with strong leadership some very positive relationships should bloom.

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