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Siblings!!!
OK, I just wanted to find out if anyone has tips and strategies on training with dog-siblings, true littermates! I’ve read that it can be difficult to have littermates in the same household as a dog owner. I have a pair of true sibling Bulldogs, about 2 years old, who are pet sit clients of mine. One used to jump on me, incessantly, until I redirected them with a Chuck-It ball (I offer more than one ball, but they usually want the same one! LOL, like real siblings!).
Here’s a couple of pictures of them vying for the same ball…
What are your experiences with sibling dogs?
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3 Replies
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@Bernerlabreclectus this is an excellent question and one that brings up many different opinions/thoughts.
I usually encourage my clients who get littermates to employ structure and separation. I like for them to structure interactions where both dogs are routinely cued to offer known behaviors (sit, shake, etc) when in proximity to you and one another and I also like for them to structure play time to include frequent, positive breaks (calling them over, offering a treat or verbal praise and then sending them back to play again) to prevent possible escalation of unwanted behaviors.
I also encourage my clients to offer the dogs routine separation from one another. This can take place during crate time and when they are offered meals or food enrichment puzzles. Separate training sessions are also a great opportunity to encourage time away from each other and give you the opportunity to work with each dog alone.
Does anyone else have suggestions for Paula?
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And @Bernerlabreclectus your Bulldogs are gorgeous!!! I’m guessing they have a lot of fun together.
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Hi Paula – I agree with Amy, and want to add that it’s really important for the siblings to learn that they can be alone, think independently and be reintroduced easily. The times I’ve seen real issues develop is when the dogs need to be separated (for example, one stays the day at a vet’s office) and either they are terribly distraught, being apart, or they fight when brought back together. It all depends on the quality of their relationship. (Just because they’re together all the time, doesn’t mean they like each other!)
Usually pet parents get siblings or two unrelated puppies at the same time, which is basically the same situation, with the best of intentions. It’s good to consider that supporting them into adulthood requires the dogs are able to be alone, have a bond with their people and are easily able to navigate homecomings. I like to recommend taking just one dog out each day for a walk, taking a class once a week with just one dog, sending just one dog out to daycare every other week (if that’s a fit), putting one dog in a crate with a frozen packed Kong while teaching the other dog a trick in another room… you get the idea. 🙂
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