What to Know When Bringing Home Two Puppies at Once

Bringing home a new puppy is one of life’s greatest joys, but what happens when you bring home two at the same time? Whether it’s siblings from the same litter or puppies of the same age from different backgrounds, raising two puppies together can seem like twice the love and fun. And it can be.

But it also comes with unique challenges that many new pet parents don’t anticipate.

I’m not here to talk you out of it, but to help you go into this fully prepared. I’ll help you know what to look out for when raising two puppies at once, how to prevent common behavioral issues, and what you can do to help both puppies grow into confident, well-adjusted dogs.

Why Do People Get Two Puppies at Once?

There are several reasons families decide to bring home two puppies at the same time:

• To provide companionship: People hope the puppies will keep each other entertained and reduce loneliness.
• To avoid future compatibility issues: “They’ll grow up together, so they’ll be best friends!”
• Because it’s hard to choose just one: Especially when faced with a litter full of adorable faces.
• To avoid getting a second dog later: “We’ll do it all at once and get the hard stuff over with.”

These motivations are understandable, but they often come with unintended consequences.

What Is Littermate Syndrome?

“Littermate Syndrome” is a term used to describe a range of behavioral issues that can develop when two puppies are raised together and become overly bonded to one another. This does not mean that only littermates can have issues. Problems can arise when puppies from different litters are raised together. It can result in:

• Separation anxiety when apart
• Fearfulness of people, other dogs, or new situations
• One overly confident puppy and one more timid puppy
• Poor response to training and human socialization
• Aggression between the siblings as they mature

Not every pair of puppies develops these issues, but the risk is high, especially without the right approach.

Challenges of Raising Two Puppies Together

Let me walk you through some of the biggest challenges and what they mean for you as a puppy parent:

1. Bonding With You Takes More Work

Two puppies can become so focused on each other that they pay less attention to their humans. This can make it harder to establish trust and communication.

What to do:

• Spend one-on-one time with each puppy daily
• Train them separately to build your individual bond
• Offer cuddles, games, and routines with just you and one puppy at a time

2. Training Takes Twice the Time

Training one puppy is a full-time job, training two means everything takes longer. Teaching basic manners, house training, crate time, and impulse control becomes much more complex when both are distracted by each other.

What to do:

• Enroll each puppy in their own training class or sessions
• Work on leash training and cues with one pup at a time
• Use different markers, reward systems, or signals so they don’t confuse cues

3. House Training Gets Messy

With two puppies, it’s harder to know who had an accident, who’s been out, and who needs to go. They may also feed off each other’s excitement and struggle with focus during potty time.

What to do:

• Keep detailed notes on each puppy’s potty schedule
• Use separate crates and feeding stations to build independence
• Take them outside separately for bathroom breaks and praise

4. Behavior Problems Can Intensify

Puppies often mirror each other’s behavior. If one becomes fearful, jumpy, or reactive, the other may follow. This makes correcting problematic behavior more difficult and may lead to long-term issues.

What to do:

• Socialize each puppy separately to a variety of people, places, and dogs
• Reinforce calm behavior individually before exposing them to new experiences together
• Prevent rough play from escalating by supervising interactions

5. Separation Is Often a Struggle

If puppies are never separated, they can develop separation anxiety when they’re not together. This can make vet visits, solo walks, and future adoptions challenging.

What to do:

• Crate them in separate rooms, at least some of the time
• Practice leaving one home while the other goes for a walk or ride
• Gradually increase time apart to help build comfort and confidence

Best Practices for Raising Two Puppies at Once

If you’re committed to raising two puppies together, success is absolutely possible, but it will take some extra planning, consistency, and support.

Here’s a quick list of must-dos:

• Separate sleeping and training areas
• Individual feeding and potty schedules
• Separate crate training for both dogs
• Dedicated one-on-one time daily with each puppy
• Consistent, reward-based training plans
• Ongoing socialization with other dogs and humans
• Regular time apart to develop independence

And most importantly. patience. This is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Some puppies do fine together with minimal issues, while others need very structured intervention.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you notice warning signs like excessive attachment between the puppies, lack of responsiveness to training, or tension building between them, reach out to a certified, force-free trainer early. The sooner you intervene, the easier it is to correct course.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Professional trainers can help you:

• Develop individualized training plans
• Troubleshoot behavioral issues
• Build independence and confidence in each dog
• Restore balance in your household

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Impossible—Just Intense

Getting two puppies at the same time isn’t necessarily a mistake, but it’s a decision that requires serious planning, commitment, and education. Many people are caught off guard by the intensity and challenges that come with raising two puppies, especially if they’ve only ever had one dog before.

With the right support, structure, and guidance, you can absolutely raise two happy, healthy, and emotionally balanced dogs, just know that it’s twice the effort, not just twice the fun.

Considering two puppies or already in over your head?

At Dances with Dogs, we’ve helped countless families raise siblings and same-age pups into confident companions. Learn how we can support you with customized training, enrichment plans, and expert guidance. Contact us today to get started.