Worried for the future ...info please

[rubyduby]

We have recently acquired two Cocker spaniel puppies , siblings and bitches.

Although I have kept Cockers for 32 yrs I have never had this situation, everywhere I look I am told it is a bad idea, (maybe I should have listened) hubby said 2 or none soooo......

Basically I cannot enjoy these pups as I am scared things might not work out and they will end up fighting each other, we had a mother and daughter who had the odd fight over MY posessions but not me.

I wonder if anyone out there as had two pups and what the outcome was...surely someone has had a successful outcome as apparently buying pairs is more common now.

[PennyB]

You will just have to work hard with both but also train and socialise separately as much as you can really

can't understand why OH said 2 or none though

1st I heard that buying pairs is more common now - rumour spread around by backyard breeders and puppy farms no doubt

[rubyduby]

Actually it was a dog behaviorist that said it!!

[vixen]

I have two cocker litter sisters and after I had got them I was advised that I shouldn't have got two bitches together  but by then it was too late and so I was determined that it would work.
It was very difficult house training them as I didn't know who had done what  and whilst I was cleaning up after one, the other would either go too or walk in the puddle  .
They are now nearly 3 and they do have their 'tiffs' but I have learnt to deal with them. 
At first, when they argued I would try to separate them, put the one who started it away, treat them as I would children.  I quickly learnt this doesn't work.
When they do argue, it is usually over my attention, so I now just walk away and the argument stops.
There is a lot of noise but they have never drawn blood or hurt each other.
Stevie is the more dominant and doesn't like Marley having a cuddle with me so I may sure Marley has her cuddles when Stevie is elsewhere. 
Ninety five per cent of the time they are fantastic with each other and are the best of friends.
I know there are other COLers who have siblings who may advise you too.
Good luck

[ejp]

Oh this takes me right back!!!  We got two boys, so they would have company.  They were our first dogs, and only after we got them did people say, what a bad idea it was.  Well, 10 years on, and one additional cocker all is well.  They have the odd disagreement over toys, chews or trying to pinch a bit of extra dinner, but they are fine with each other.  Double trouble is double love and cuddles.  I do wish we had maybe split them a little more for training etc, but you learn as you go.  Relax and enjoy.   

[Nicola]

There are people who have littermates or dogs of similar ages who will undoubtedly be along to give experiences  - you'll probably hear more good experiences than bad on the forum although it's not the case that there aren't any people who have had bad experiences, just that they don't tend to talk about it so much.

I don't think there's much point in worrying so much about the dogs fighting in the future though, you've got the two of them so all you can do is as Penny says, make an effort to train and socialise them separately as much as possible and put in as much good groundwork as you can. Sometimes there are issues between dogs and sometimes they can be worked on and sometimes they can't; being of the same/similar ages and the same sex does increase the likelihood of this happening but as you have the pups now there's no point letting something that may or may not happen ruin your experience with them.

[Sarah1985]

As other have said theres no point worrying. Make sure you give them time alone (from each other and from you) as well  as undivided attention regualrly. Try and do more seperate walks than together as Ive been told its near on impossible to teach recall with two of them.

Once they're trained you can reassess but for now make sure you build a good relationship with them individually and together. You want them to look at you for guidance and not each other

[rubyduby]

Big Thanks for the comments guys, glad to hear life can be normal.
I will socialise and walk them seperately, I soon learnt that walking 2 together is not just hard work it is frantic, very difficult with one swinging on the lead of the other.
I intend to leave one at home to bond with hubby(if I can distract him from his computer)each night and take them out seperately.
Toilet training is a bit hit a miss, though numbers 2s seem sorted.

AND they actually know there own names, although being Cockers, sometimes they pretend otherwise.

I will keep you posted and see what transpires I am DETERMINED to raise two balanced, well behaved, sociable little girls

[vixen]

I will keep you posted and see what transpires I am DETERMINED to raise two balanced, well behaved, sociable little girls

So pleased you feel more positive now.
My girls are fantastic dogs, a joy to own and give me pleasure every single day.
It IS hard work in the early days but you DO get double the love and cuddles 
Enjoy them both, it is great when you see their individual characters develop. 
Though mine are litter sisters they are VERY different in nature and I really like that. 
Some photos of your girls would be nice. 
Best wishes.

[rubyduby]

Can anyone tell me (very simply) how to put pictures on here?

[vixen]

Hope this helps.
Looking forward to seeing your girls 
http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=15703.0

[chrisj1957]

Everyone thought we were mad to get 2 cocker brothers last April.At first we thought it was too much with 2 of them like you say toilet training feeding etc.For the first month they fought all the time until they sorted out who was the boss .Luckily they have completely different personalities one is laid back and one hyper.Don't worry about them bonding with each other and not with you and your husband our 2 love us both the same.At first they were not sociable with other dogs but are fine now they are 16 months old.They play games with each other all the time but toys are out the window as they fight over everything we do take them out seperately sometimes but t is easier together we had a split leader when they were little but now they are ok as we live overlooking  fields so most of the ime they are off the leader.The love and affection they give us every day far outweighs the hard work they are.We are in our fifties and both work full time as well but with the help of our family we manage to look after them fine.You will get comments saying that it will not work out but this will be from people who have never had 2 the same age or from dog experts or books .Enjoy your 2 lovely dogs as you have had cockers for yar you know already how loving they are.All the best for the future and keep us posted how things are going any advice feel free to let me know.

[smartietopdog]

I see no reason why it shouldn't work out for you and your girls. Sure, getting 2 pups at the same time is harder work, but as long as you have the support of your family (quite obviously you have your OH's) I really don't see why not!
And well said Chrisj!! Everyone says twins are hard work, but generally they turn out OK! And I would have thought with the girls being sisters, the likelihood of squabbling would be less (sorry to go back to kids, but find me a brother/sister that don't fight!)
Good luck, and enjoy!!

[Helen]

A lot of people experience issues when their dogs are more mature ie 2-3 years old - just in the last week on this board someone was seeking help for fighting siblings and someone had to re-home the elder of their 2 dogs.

Each case is different and for every happy tale conversely there is a sad one....

TBH I would steer clear of ANY breeder that would offer to sell me littermates 

[Nicola]

.You will get comments saying that it will not work out but this will be from people who have never had 2 the same age or from dog experts or books .

  That's a very strange comment, it could equally be from people who have been there and it hasn't worked out - because there are plenty such cases - and surely if someone is an expert then that implies that they know what they're talking about.

The 'it always works out fine' attitude is no more right than saying that there are always problems. There is a reason why most experts, books and good breeders do not recommend littermates or pups close in age and it's not for the good of their health, it's because the risk of issues developing in dogs of similar ages, and especially in same-sex pairings, is higher than with dogs with a good age gap between them and dogs of opposite sexes. I for one speak from experience there, Alfie and Rodaidh were not littermates but the age gap between them was not big enough, they got on fine until Rodaidh hit maturity while Alfie was still in the first flush of it. Nobody says that it always happens but it does increase the risk and really it's down to each person to decide if that's a risk they're willing to take. Personally having been there and having had to rehome one of them because of it it's a bit of a no-brainer for me.