Bringing up two dogs can be much more than twice the work.
It's not easy to bring up a pair of dogs at the same time. People find it is very hard to work with two puppies at the same time, as well as hard to find time to work with them separately. You must do both if you are to bring the pair up properly. For best results, the pair should be a male and female. With two of the same sex, conflicts are more likely -- especially if both are male. If you want two dogs that are close in age, it's easier to raise and train one puppy, and add the second once the first has a good grasp of proper manners.
Instructions
1. Neuter both puppies as early as possible.
Neuter each puppy as early as the veterinarian says is safe. Male dogs often fight when not neutered, even when they seem to love each other. Females also can fight, especially when one or both is in heat. The hormonal changes that occur as a puppy matures can begin even before it is six months old.
2. Give each dog special time every day.
Give your time and attention to each dog separately, as well as together. The puppies must be used to being apart, so they don't develop separation anxiety. Also, a puppy learns and bonds better if they have some private training and petting time. While it's true that they must behave when they are together, it's easier initially to teach one dog at a time. The majority of the time, the dogs should be together, but each should have its own time with the family for a little while each day.
3. Each puppy must learn commands.
Enroll each in puppy kindergarten and obedience class. Keep your full attention on one dog at a time by taking them to different classes, or at least have one adult available for each dog. It helps for different family members to take turns working with each dog at different classes so the dogs don't get in the habit of only learning from one person, and every family member learns to train the dogs. Use the "Nothing in Life Is Free" method to teach your puppies to follow the humans as leaders, and keep behavior problems to a minimum.
4. Even dogs as drastically different as these may be confused by kennel staff.
Keep separate veterinary records and documents for each, asking for a separate receipt for each dog when you go to the vet. Microchip each one, especially if they look similar, and carefully record the number in each dog's records. Put a clear, close-up picture of each dog on its records; this will help prevent confusion for the staff if the dogs are boarded, hospitalized or lost. Even dogs that look completely different can be confused by people who don't know them, so put the name and physical description with a picture on the records.
5. Feed the dogs at the same time, in the same location. Always remain in the room while they are eating so you know each dog eats its own food and there is no fighting. Young puppies exchange bowls and share willingly, but as they mature, they may become protective, so teach them while young that each dog has its own bowl, treats and toys, and do not tolerate fighting. If each dog gets the same things, there will be less reason to fight or fret over who gets what.
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