Should litter mates sleep together?
 

Addie and Raider are 11 weeks old and we took them to the vet today for their second round of puppy shots and asked him about them sleeping together. Before we got them, I read a lot of testimonials about the Potty Training Puppy Apartment and decided to order 2 of them. The first couple of nights we put each of them in their apartment and they whined and cried all night. We gave in and put them together in the same PTPA. They have been quiet all night and get up to pee and poop and go back to sleep. Any way, the vet advises that we do not let them sleep together because it can cause severe separation anxiety if they are ever separated, i.e., if one of them dies. What to do?

Let them sleep together. Heck they should still be with there mom until 12 weeks.

Totally agree!

As they get older you can separate them now and then, maybe let one stay at a friends overnight, but the truth is even if you got them at different ages, one of them would have been with the other all of its life and would have bonded and felt separation anxiety at some point.

I don't know, I hear mixed things. They always say not to get littermates. These two Golden Retrievers I watch were littermates and one just passed away at 10 years old and the other doesn't know what to do with himself. It's so sad to see. :( They said it was easy as puppies though as they kept each other entertained.

Then these 2 puppies I watch, 5 month old Bouviers are also never apart so when they get separated they FREAK out... I think they would be benefit from being separate sometimes personally BUT these dogs do not get nearly enough attention or training (owners are rich and always away) so for that I am glad they have each other at least while they are alone.

But I do think training etc should be done separately. I don't think sleeping together is a huge deal nor do I think getting at 11 weeks is either.

I had a pack of 3, all 3 years apart, when the older one past away there was no reaction with the 2 remaining ones, 6 months later the 2nd older one passed away, the youngest was now alone, she got very depressed, she was pining the loss of her older sister, I gave her 6 months to adjust to it being just me and her, it didn't work, she was not the dog she was before losing the older one. I got a new puppy, not knowing how my 6 y/o was going to behave at now being the momma,when she was always treated as the baby by her 2 older sisters. After the shock of baby jaws entering our lives and at the age of 8 weeks old was almost as big as my 12 lb 6 y/o, the older one bonded with in a few weeks after the puppy was home. My 6 y/o was madly in love with the puppy. As the years went by I would call them roadway, because where ever the young one was, the older one was right behind her. The point I am trying to bring out is, it does not matter if they sleep together or in their own beds, if one dies, the other will greatly miss their loss. I would let them sleep together as long as they don't fight and hurt each other. The last 2 I had, when the older one passed away my younger one was now 9 y/o and mourned the loss of her older sister. My work kept me out of the house 15 hours a day, there was no way could I get a play mate for my girl. It took her 8 months to get back to being her ole lil self. This is my experience with having multiple pets and one dies.

My Armani and Pippi are littermates and have slept together all their lives. They will be 9 in July. They are very bonded, but can be separated for things that must be done such as vet visits and even short shopping trips.

As for dogs grieving the death of a littermate, I have had them grieve pack members that were not litter mates.

I have read stories about the cons of littermates, but I totally love the bond my two share....very sweet. I cannot sit and worry about what might happen one day. They are both well adjusted, happy pups and I am happy they are together.

I think the vet is mis informed. Litter mates should stay together. And really it doesn't matter if they are litter mates or just grow up together. They can still mourn 10yrs later.

I tend to agree w/ this. I've read the cons but think the pros are better, honestly.

Thanks for the responses. For now, they are sleeping together-I'll let you know how it goes.

I mentioned that they got their second shots today. It appears that the ear mites have cleared up and the puppy cough is gone. We're waiting for the results of the stool sample, but hopefully the parasites are gone, too. We have a lot of squirrels in our yard and they all have fleas, so the vet gave them Sentinel for fleas and heartworms.

The vet says they are happy, healthy puppies. They have gained over a half pound since we got them and they will play until they drop.

They have been such a joy and we have only had them 3 weeks.

You've had them 3 weeks already....I would just let them sleep together as long as they want to. If you have two bed then they can separate if they want. When they want.

I totally agree. My Kayla and Karlee are littermates and have been together for almost 6 years. It has been pure joy seeing the bond they have, yet they have very different personalities, and they get along well with Tiki and other people's dogs just fine. Seeing how all 3 dealt with our loss of Meika last year, I am no longer so worried about if or when another one passes. They all adjusted, and in many ways their personalities shifted, and all 3 became closer.

I would let them sleep together, and just enjoy their closeness.

I don't see a problem with them sharing the same bed. Just keep in mind that as they get older you will need to watch them very carefully, have them spayed and neutered at the proper time, so an accident doesn't happen.

Glad they did well at their Vet visit.

I have litter mate sisters. I don't care the effects of the los of one causes, they are best friends and need each other when I'm not with them. I have a friend who 3 Yorkie's, all from different litters. One of them became dominate and tried killing another one. I fear this more then them morning the loss of another. I plan to get new puppies when one dies. This way hopefully the survivor can be happy until she passes. If not, I'll always be there for her.

Where those dogs fixed? What where there sexes?

I have two boys and at night they sleep together or start the night in an xpen and then in my bed. They sometimes sleep together and other times not.athey are litter mates and well adjusted they love rough housing but not hurtful to one another. I think it's great the relationship they have and have in no way prevented them from bonding with our family. They are 6 months old and neutered. Let them sleep together in my opinion.