{"id":11285,"date":"2022-08-15T08:35:20","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T07:35:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=11285"},"modified":"2022-08-23T14:55:41","modified_gmt":"2022-08-23T13:55:41","slug":"what-is-littermate-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/what-is-littermate-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Littermate Syndrome? &#8211; VET VERIFIED!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #999999;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article has been edited and verified by our own veterinarian Dr.Stevce Ilievski.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you considering raising two or more littermate puppies? It may sound like a fun idea, but many experts would advise against it. That\u2019s because it is said to lead to the so-called littermate syndrome (also known as littermate\/sibling aggression).<\/span><\/p>\n<p>But, what is littermate syndrome?<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve tried delving deeper into this controversial topic to answer this question and many more.<\/p>\n<h2 id='what-is-littermate-syndrome'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Is Littermate Syndrome?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The term littermate syndrome in dogs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">refers to behavioral issues in puppy siblings or unrelated puppies of the same age. This is also known as sibling syndrome in dogs and occurs when puppies are raised in the same household beyond 8\u201310 weeks of age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>This occurs when the dogs become so closely connected to each other that when separated have<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> trouble socializing with other dogs and\/or humans and prefer each other\u2019s company instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">littermate syndrome aggression<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may also be directed toward each other, especially if they are same-sex siblings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of this also means that setting boundaries and training, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/dog-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">essential parts of basic dog care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, are likely to become much more challenging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='how-common-is-littermate-syndrome'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Common Is Littermate Syndrome<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No scientific data provides an exact answer to this question or even an official diagnosis. That\u2019s why some sources claim that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.humananimalsupportservices.org\/blog\/you-dont-need-to-adopt-pets-in-pairs\/#:~:text=Single%20kitten%20syndrome%20and%20littermate,U.S.%20animal%20shelters%20every%20year.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dog sibling syndrome<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a myth<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The closest answer we can give you is that the syndrome isn\u2019t guaranteed, but it\u2019s quite common according to everyday observations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='what-are-the-symptoms-of-littermate-syndrome'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the symptoms of littermate syndrome?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is not one <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">littermate syndrome in dogs, but several. However, here are some of the main ones:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fear of unknown people, animals, and places<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anxiety when separated from their sibling(s)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty with training<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crate issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refusing to eat alone<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id='how-to-prevent-littermate-syndrome'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Prevent Littermate Syndrome<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Considering everything we discussed so far, it\u2019s fairly obvious that keeping littermates separate for a notable amount of time during the critical period is crucial. The activities during which they should be separated include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Training<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/dog-grooming\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grooming<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playing with the owner<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleeping<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id='can-littermate-syndrome-be-cured'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can Littermate Syndrome Be Cured<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fixing the syndrome is hard, but it isn\u2019t impossible. Of course, the sooner you start the higher the chances of succeeding, so if you\u2019ve noticed some of the potential symptoms, act immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All the steps we just listed above should be followed, but if the puppies\u2019 attachment is already super strong, you must do this gradually.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should also consider consulting an animal behavioral specialist and getting professional help. After all, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/new-puppy-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">things can be difficult in the beginning<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> even with one puppy, so don\u2019t hesitate to ask for help.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='do-puppies-overcome-littermate-syndrome-with-age'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do Puppies Overcome Littermate Syndrome With Age?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Puppies don\u2019t outgrow this behavior naturally. On the contrary, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">littermate syndrome in older dogs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can worsen if you don\u2019t try to prevent it earlier. This is why reacting as soon as you notice the first symptoms is crucial.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='what-if-you-already-have-littermates'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What If You Already Have Littermates?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Don&#8217;t panic! It&#8217;s not the end of the world. There are a lot of things you can do to help alleviate this. Let&#8217;s take a look at exactly what you can do.<\/p>\n<h4 id='1-train-them-separately'>1. Train them separately<\/h4>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve already adopted two dogs, the first thing that you need to do is to train them separately. Although this might be easier said than done, just be patient with them, and give it some time. Not only does this make the entire process easier on you or the person training the dogs, but it teaches the dogs to get used to being on their own.<\/p>\n<h4 id='2-separate-meal-times-and-bowls'>2. Separate meal times and bowls<\/h4>\n<p>The second thing you should do in this situation is to have separate meal times and bowls for both puppies. Although this might be difficult if you&#8217;re a single dog parent, providing separate food bowls for both puppies is imperative. This will teach your dogs to be okay without their brother\/sister.<\/p>\n<h4 id='3-what-about-a-third-dog'>3. What about a third dog?<\/h4>\n<p>There are some owners who say that getting one more dog (an older dog) helped solve the littermates syndrome. This dog would apparently limit the other puppy&#8217;s bonding time, although there is no concrete evidence of this.<\/p>\n<h4 id='4-should-you-consider-rehoming'>4. Should you consider rehoming?<\/h4>\n<p>You should only consider rehoming one or both puppies if they&#8217;re constantly fighting, which can often lead to severe injuries or death. However, this should always be taken as a last resort and after consulting with a vet or a pet behaviorist.<\/p>\n<h3 id='faq'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h3>\n<h3 id='what-causes-littermate-syndrome'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What causes littermate syndrome?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The causes are not entirely clear, but some theories state that it may happen when the owners assume that two puppies can fulfill each other\u2019s socialization needs, so they don\u2019t spend enough time with them individually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='are-there-any-littermate-syndrome-studies'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are there any <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">littermate syndrome studies<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no scientific evidence to prove this syndrome is real. However, we did find some information about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rsmvet.com\/littermate-syndrome\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an experiment organized by a guide dog organization<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It involved two groups: those in group one were given two puppies to raise while those in group two were given just one puppy. It\u2019s important to note that the dogs were temperament-tested first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The results show that <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">getting two puppies from the same litter<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> always caused one of them to become temperamentally unsuitable for work, even if both started off as ideal candidates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, it\u2019s important to mention that we don\u2019t know whether the foster family had any experience raising two dogs at once and how much time they dedicated to working with them individually.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='can-dogs-recover-from-littermate-syndrome'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can dogs recover from littermate syndrome?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you notice the symptoms linked to littermate syndrome (especially if it\u2019s earlier on), you can try to correct them. It takes lots of time and effort, but it isn\u2019t impossible if you follow the suggestions we listed above.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='how-to-stop-littermates-from-fighting'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to stop littermates from fighting.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You can do a few things to try and stop littermates from fighting. The most important thing is to be consistent in enforcing rules and limits. Make sure both dogs know what is and is not allowed, and keep them separate when you are not able to supervise them.<\/p>\n<p>You can also try using positive reinforcement, such as treats or praise, to encourage good behavior. If the fighting continues, you may need to seek professional help from a behaviorist or trainer.<\/p>\n<h2 id='final-thoughts'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve read our article carefully, you&#8217;ve probably come closer to answering the question of what is littermates syndrome, as well as how to avoid it. If not, then\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">perhaps the best thing you can do is wait at least 6 months to get the second one \u2014 or consider getting adult dogs<\/span><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What causes littermate syndrome?\\n\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The causes are not entirely clear, but some theories state that it may happen when the owners assume that two puppies can fulfill each other\u2019s socialization needs, so they don\u2019t spend enough time with them individually. \\nAnswering the question \u2014 \u201cwhat is littermate syndrome?\u201d \u2014 is easier than saying what causes it. What we do know for sure is that it\u2019s essential to set aside time for training, playing, and walking your dogs separately while they are young and learning.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What are the symptoms of littermate syndrome?\\n\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The main symptoms are:\\nFear of unknown people, animals, and places\\nAnxiety when separated from their sibling(s)\\nDifficulty with training\\nCrate issues\\nRefusing to eat alone\\n\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are there any littermate syndrome studies?\\n\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"There is no scientific evidence to prove this syndrome is real. However, we did find some information about an experiment organized by a guide dog organization.\\nIt involved two groups of people \u2014 those in group one were given two puppies to raise while those in group two were given just one puppy. It\u2019s important to note that the dogs were temperament-tested first. \\nThe results show that getting two puppies from the same litter always caused one of them to become temperamentally unsuitable for work, even if both started off as ideal candidates.\\nThat being said, it\u2019s important to mention that we don\u2019t know whether the foster family had any experience raising two dogs at once and how much time they dedicated to working with them individually.\\n\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can dogs recover from littermate syndrome?\\n\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"If you notice the symptoms linked to littermate syndrome (especially if it\u2019s earlier on), you can try to correct them. It takes lots of time and effort, but it isn\u2019t impossible if you follow the suggestions we listed above.\\n\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do you fix littermate syndrome?\\n\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The advice is to deal with the issue gradually by making sure your puppies experience various basic activities separately (eating, walking, training, and so forth).\\n\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article has been edited and verified by our own veterinarian Dr.Stevce Ilievski.\u00a0 Are you considering raising two or more littermate puppies? It may sound like a fun idea, but many experts would advise against it. That\u2019s because it is said to lead to the so-called littermate syndrome (also known as littermate\/sibling aggression). But, what [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/what-is-littermate-syndrome\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from What Is Littermate Syndrome? &#8211; VET VERIFIED!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":11168,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11285","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-guides"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11285","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11285"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11285\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11285"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11285"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}