The Truth About the Littermate Syndrome in Dogs

Are you planning to adopt two littermates, or do you already have them with you? Then it’s crucial to understand Littermate Syndrome, as while some people tend to exaggerate the risks, it’s not entirely unfounded. At PunkRockPudel, you’ll learn the risks and how to prevent them.

What is Littermate Syndrome in Dogs?

Littermate Syndrome refers to several problems and risks associated with adopting two dogs from the same litter. These include:

Excessive bonding between the dogs
Even brief separations from each other being traumatic
No or weak bond with humans
Difficulty in socialization

In short, the dogs become so attached to each other that you, as the human, cannot compete with that bond. If you separate them even temporarily, they can’t engage with their surroundings and are helpless on their own.

This is often portrayed as the worst-case scenario, but let’s take a closer look and clear up the misconceptions.

Littermate Syndrome = No Bond with Humans?

A lack or weakness of bond with humans is often presented as an automatic issue with littermates. The advice often goes: “Get just one dog, bond it to you – with littermates or dog friends, you don’t stand a chance.” This is absolute nonsense.

Some people even go so far as to separate their adult dogs, forbid them from playing together, and prevent them from forming a bond. They fear that their dogs might “get along too well” and thus like their owner less.

If applied to humans, this behavior could be compared to Stockholm Syndrome, where a person is isolated and has no choice but to bond with their captor.

Sounds a bit twisted and unhealthy, doesn’t it?

In reality, you don’t need to worry about littermates only liking each other and ignoring you. You, just like with a single dog, need to establish a bond. This bond won’t grow better or faster if you raise just one puppy.

Separation Becomes Traumatic with Littermate Syndrome?

Adopting dog siblings is often linked to supposedly automatic problems when separating the dogs. Even brief separations are said to be so traumatic that they cannot process their surroundings and struggle to socialize.

Throw this „knowledge“ out the window because it’s complete nonsense!

While such a scenario can occur (just like with other dogs kept together), the solution is both simple and entirely logical.

Does Littermate Syndrome Make Socialization Harder?

No, but it might require a little more time and effort from you. Otherwise, the socialization of two littermates can proceed just as normally as that of a single puppy.

The Solution to Littermate Syndrome – 3 Tips

Only 3 tips against Littermate Syndrome? Yes! That’s all you need to avoid the potential problems. I speak from experience of 40 years, I’ve lived with more littermates than single dogs, and I’m still doing great with them.

Tip #1: Treat the Puppies as Individuals

Is Bello adventurous, brave, and bold? Bella, on the other hand, is gentler and more reserved? Tailor your approach and training accordingly. View your littermates both individually and as unique personalities – not as a pair. This will allow you to recognize early on how to encourage and challenge each dog.

Perhaps Bella prefers having her ears scratched, while Bello loves belly rubs. Maybe one of the littermates needs you to be louder, or one requires more repetitions and patience than the other.

Considering them as independent individuals helps both you and your dogs form their own bonds.

Tip #2: Balance Time Apart and Together

One-on-one time and individual training are essential for your littermates to thrive as individual dogs. Walk them separately once a day – at least for the first few months, teach them commands individually, and take separate outings.

This way, both dogs will get used to spending time with you alone, working with you, and walking through life without their sibling – at least temporarily. You should also build up their ability to stay alone. The reason for this can be found in the article: “Adopting Littermates: What You Need to Know.”

By following this approach, you’ll build separate bonds with each dog, increase their self-confidence, and prevent separations from being traumatic. Instead, they’ll become a normal part of life.

Tip #3: Introduce Role Models

One advantage of adopting two dogs from one litter is that they always have a playmate. However, if they only stay together, they will learn only „puppy language“ and miss out on the nuances of canine communication and the behavioral rules of adult dogs.

For this, they need role models in the form of adult, confident dogs who communicate clearly, and the right guidance from you. Without these influences, you could end up with two mischievous dogs who act asocial or aggressively toward other dogs, creating serious potential problems.