picking 2 new little girls

[bob]

We lost our beloved goldie just two days ago after 14 years.
We would like to have 2 new new girls soon. My neighbor told my that he listened to a radio show today with a "Dog Doctor". A caller asked a question about obtaining 2 new puppies and was told that "you should NEVER get litter mates". I have never heard such a thing. Can anyone give me some insight on this?

[coopersmom04]

the thing is, if you get two litter mates, they are more likely to bond with each other than you. A few people on here have litter mates, so I'm sure they can be more helpful. Also, keep in mind the tremendous amount of work...having to housebreak not one but two pups :D

[angenbear]

I think if you can handle twice the mischief, twice the running, twice the cost of everything, then you will do fine. If you have someone to help you in raising two pups, then that would work out great. You just have to make sure that the pups bond with you as well as bonding with each other.

[Harshy]

I wish I could have two. I think goldens just love having both humans & other dogs around as much as they can so if you can raise 2 together they would love it. I bet the first 2 years would be a lot of work though. As coopersmom04 said there are people here who have raised littermates. I'm sure they will help with some good information to help you make your decision.

[kencubilo]

I have two litter mates, they are 15 months old now. As said you will have twice the cost of everything. You have to spend one on one time with the pups to prevent them from bonding only to each other. House training was not hard as I would take them both outside at the same time. Mischief is 3 times what one dog can do. The big trick is to teach the dogs you and only you are the leader of the pack, Whenever you give one dog something always give the other one the same and rotate who gets it first. Teach them teamwork when playing fetch and tug of war. As they get older the good habits of one are learned by the other same for bad habits. I would do it again, we have had a great time with both girls. One thing I would suggest is at feeding time start them out with their own bowl and feed at the same time. You will have to teach them to eat from only their bowl takes a little time but it works.

[prl]

First off - so sorry for your loss. We lost our 14 1/2 yr old mixed breed August 27, and after 3 weeks, as much as we were in mourning (and still are), our house needed another dog, so we too decided on 2 sisters/litter mates. We've had our girls for just under 3 months now and couldn't be happier. They have brought so much joy to us it's amazing. Is it alot of work? ABSOLUTELY!!!! I don't think I could do it alone, it takes every bit of the two of us. But, the +'s for us really outweigh any negatives. They love eachother and love to play together, but they have really bonded with us. They have no question on the pack order, they know we are tops. They will on occasion not listen as well if they are really playing hard in the yard, running, etc., and we're working on that, but what children don't do the same when they're having fun? We do have separate times with each, that's very, very, very important. We have had no problems with feeding, they each have their own bowl and they eat at almost the same pace, but we still watch to make sure they each get their own. We have two of everything, but lots of times that doesn't matter - they each want what the other has, but there's nothing nasty about it, and I don't think it's a dominance thing - it seems to be their game and they both do it to eachother. Neither one has emerged as the dominant, they really do take turns winning the many wrestling matches. Potty training was the most difficult, impossible on the few times there was only one of us home, because if one squatted and I scooped her up and ran outside, by the time I got back in the other ALWAYS went. If I were to pick the hardest part - potty training would definately be it. Walking them is fine if there's two of us, doing it alone is still a challenge. Would I get two sisters again - ABSOLUTELY!!!! They are truly the loves of our lives and have brought us such happiness. Good luck in whatever you decide!