So often, "Littermate Syndrome" or something very much like it is the problem. And people always say "I wish someone had told us about this!"
Littermate syndrome: someone goes to the breeder, the shelter, the pet store and sees puppies- they can not decide which one they want and they seem so bonded, it would be a shame to break them up- so they get 2.
But Littermate Syndrome is not limited to littermates. I prefer the term "Gladiator Syndrome."
Gladiators are 2 very closely matched rivals- usually same sex, same size, same temperament, same age, same human parents... etc. etc. etc.
The problem is that there is no natural determining factor which makes one or the other obviously more dominant. In natural canine behavior, there are scraps or fights. Someone wins. Someone loses. And the loser gives it up. He either submits to the more dominant pack member or he moves on to form his own pack.
However, in our homes, we break up fights because
#1 It scares the crap out of us and
#2 We don't want to pay vet bills or lose a dog
So, the dogs never get to determine once and for all who is in charge.
HOWEVER- this is a false pretense from the start. And here's the helpful part of this little article-
NO DOG is in charge. YOU ARE IN CHARGE. They don't need to fight over food, because YOU are the supplier and provider. They don't need to fight over bones or toys, because you bought and own the toys. They don't need to fight over who gets to sit next to you on the couch, because being on the couch requires your authorization.
But establishing that concept is the most commonly missed order of business in most households. We bring them home and give them the keys to the kingdom. We keep dishes full and floors littered with half chewed bones and ripped up toys as though we are their indentured servants.
Here are some basic rules to follow to take back leadership of your pack if there is fighting and how to avoid it in selecting future family members.
Leadership or "dominance" which has become the politically incorrect term, but whatever... is most clearly taught through basic obedience. Setting rules and structure and a reward and consequence system is easily established with 5 minutes of obedience practice several days a week.
Put your dog on leash and practice "sit" with reward. Practice "lay down" with reward. Practice "come" with reward. Then, incorporate those behaviors into every day life. Dog must sit to be fed. Dog must lay down to have leash put on. Dog must sit before crossing street on walks. Dog gets a treat for coming in the house when called. Chew bones or toys are given and then taken and put away for a later time. Something as simple as that teaches your dog to look to you for leadership.
Feeding Circle is another wonderful exercise that teaches dogs respect and patience and that fighting is not the way to get rewards. Here is a short video you can watch to see how dogs are focused and respectful of one another and learning that all good things come from MAMA! https://youtu.be/travbAhGyao
Secondly, when adding a dog to your family, way too many people want one exactly like the dog they already have. Unfortunately, that seldom turns out to be the case and they often wind up very disappointed that Dog #2 is nothing like Dog #1.
But to avoid, issues, GO OPPOSITE. Opposite sex. Opposite size. Different age. Different breeds.
Another misconception is that if you have 2 that are alike, they will keep each other company. If they do bond so closely that they only need each other, it creates another issue in that they don't need their owner and will often disregard them or have very little respect for them.
Now before you fire off your "I have same sex, same breed, littermates, etc." comment to me-understand that I have 5 dogs- but as within a wild pack, my structure is evident and no one needs to fight about anything, so they all commune quite well. We are careful to manage and crate if there is no supervision or challenges present themselves- as in, I have a 13 year old Akita who is inexplicably grumpy at times.
If your dogs get along, CONGRATULATIONS! You are doing something right and it is possible!
Two of these 3 Chihuahua were death matched rivals until their owner stepped up- and now... well, look at them!
Chihuahuas owned by Jamie Wilson
Crested Hairless owned by Matt & Lauri Meins pictured at top, couldn't even be in the same room when I met them.
