AYO!!! I'm Bae and the dad of 2,11 weeks old ! Help lol

[bae]

Ayyyy I'm Bae! I have a 8 month old shitzu and just adopted two Cavaliers! A boy and a girl we named Dina and Dani at 10 weeks old. We have had them for almost two weeks now even though our house is a lot more chaotic they have brought in so much love, I can't imagine us not having them. Originally we had went for just the girl considering we already had a boy we thought it would balance out the house but going to get her the man brought out the final puppy her brother who is now Daniel , weninstantly fell in love. They were so bonded we couldn't leave the little guy behind. This is my first time owning this breed and even though I've spent a lot of time researching I am open to any tips, tricks, or advice to help my babies live their best life.

 

[Karlin]

How adorable!! Feel free to ask questions as they arise. I just replied on another thread to someone asking about adopting two pups close in age and noted this is generally not advisable, BUT there are many things you can do to manage two at the same time to avoid the problems that do sometimes arise. So sorry to make those points elsewhere but I thought I'd better mention it as I replied there and you'd undoubtedly see it! I'd definitely do a google on raising two puppies to get good trainer advice on this to help avoid some of the potential pitfalls.

Especially the fact that they ARE so bonded means you will want to work to not allow them to remain more bonded to each other than to their humans. This can create training and management problems (I've been there and done that myself! It is challenging as you'll need to do do all the obedience training, crate training, and walks etc separately as if you had one dog twice over. This will NOT break their bond but WILL enable you to manage each (and give needed quality time to each) in his and her own right. This is so incredibly important -- that would be my big absolute must over the next 18 critical months as they mature . And of course, you'll have lots of fun too! But don;t underestimate the work and commitment with two of the same age who really need to be given the same amount of separate time with you as if you just had one puppy to raise. That's why I say -- two puppies are really one puppy twice over, so double the work and time commitment in the first 18 months or so as you get in all the basic training and socialisation.

This article tells it like it is and gives some important tips on what to do once you've committed to two:

Problems With Adopting Two Puppies Simultaneously - Whole Dog Journal

Most training professionals strongly recommend against adopting two puppies at once as it can prevent bonding with their owner.

www.whole-dog-journal.com

And some excellent advice on what next:

Living with Littermates | diamondsintheruff

www.diamondsintheruff.com

Littermate Syndrome: Why One Puppy Might be Better Than Two

Are you thinking about getting two puppies at the same time? It's more difficult than it seems. Most professionals recommend getting just one puppy at once.

www.akc.org

Learning to Share | diamondsintheruff

www.diamondsintheruff.com

All that aside -- cavaliers don't tend to have any problems bonding with owners as well as their siblings, BUT -- the quality will be different and the management will be more of a challenge with potential pitfalls to work to avoid. Hope that helps!

 

[Karlin]

Also be sure to check out all the great advice on owning cavaliers at www.cavaliermatters.org Just click into the 'Main Content' menu at the top left for tons of info on the breed, care, health issues etc.

 

[Cavalier Matters]

Welcome! What a wonderful family you have there.

Karlin has put some really good advice above.

Make sure you schedule time for lots of individual play and training sessions with each of them.

Don't forget boys can be sexually mature before 5 months, so you need to have a plan in place to manage them all when Dina is in season - do you have someone that could take care of Dina or the boys for those 3-4 weeks? It's really quite hard to manage them all in one house.

This book is really helpful and should be on everyone's reading list!