Hi, I know Ed Frawley says not to have two puppies at one time but unfortunately I have two puppies. One is 7 weeks the other is 9 weeks. A local trainer and friend suggested that we keep the pups separated. I have a kennel in the yard with 3 stalls so this evening we separated the puppies. The younger of the two is having a really hard time, he is crying and trying to get to the other stall. It's been about 30 minutes. The older of the two is in the dog house sound asleep. Why is it that we should keep them separate? Since they are pack animals wouldn't it be best to keep them together?

Thanks in advance.

Hullo.
Don't feel bad as you are certainly not the only person who has made the error of having two puppies at once.

There are a lot of knowledgeable people here (I know from lurking) and I'm sure you'll get a ton of great advice. My own advice is...I'm not exactly sure why your trainer says that you need to keep the pups separated all of the time (or did she say just some of the time?). It's true that you need to give each puppy a lot of separate, individualized attention, but I don't think they need to be separate all the time. You have to be very careful with this. Puppies speak 'dog' not human. If they are constantly together than they have each other to talk to and really don't need to listen to you.

For instance, imagine if you had to live in France for a year and spoke no French. You would probably be quite lonely at first. But in time you'd learn and understand the language. Now take the same scenario. On your first day in France you meet another English speaker. You two become best buddies and spend all your time together. More than likely you wouldn't learn the French language as quickly because you'd have no motivation to do so. That's what your puppies are like.

As for your problem tonight I don't know how best to advise you. Are the pups always going to sleep outside? Or do you eventually plan to have them sleep elsewhere? I have my own theories about sleeping puppies and being away from the pack. Do you have any crates? Hope that's not too many questions!

You should read ed's article about pack structure, or get his video. He also has an article on raising two puppies together. And I understand, hope I get this right, that your pups can become too doggy. You want them to look to you for everything, not each other. You want them attached to you, wanting to please you, play with you, respond to you, not the other pup.
So, that is why you keep them separated. Does the kennels have something to block their view of each other?
Or are you able to separate their kennels some how?
God bless you

1. Have you read this? It answers all your questions and more.
http://leerburg.com/2dogs.htm

2. As asked, do you have crates?

Thank you for your replies. I just read the 2 dogs article that was suggested and now I see exactly why they need to be separate. I have a kennel in my yard that has 3 stalls, each stall is 6 ft by 12 ft and each has it's own heated dog house. I had both puppies in one stall in the same dog house for the first week but tonight they are separated and I will keep them that way from now on. The littlest guy seems to be having the hardest time. He is only 7 weeks old and the female who is 9 weeks was really starting to dominate him. I know it will be best to have them apart.

I do have a crate for when they come in the house, but they are not going to be indoor dogs.

I raise all my pups in crates indoors, as well as housebreaking them and they gradually move to kennels when they get older.
I believe it is really important to at least raise them to have manners if they are going to be inside at any point in their lives.

Plus, I think it is equally important to include them into the house. After all, we are their pack and they deserve time with us no matter where we are.

I would at least let the 7wk old sleep in a crate in the house until he gets through the hard separation period, if not both of them in separate crates.

I ditto Carol. Seven weeks old is awfully little to be away from your littermates and outside in the dark by yourself. I crate and housebreak indoors and when they are older they can spend more time outside (but never overnight). Crating isn't hard and is soooooo convenient, especially for travel or if they have to spend overnight at the Vet's or the Boarding Kennel.

If indoors just isn't an option then I'd make sure that they are in no way disturbing the neighbors (if you have any nearby). Usually puppies stop whining fairly quickly, but I've known of some folks who have had to deal with it a long, long time.

Edited by (03/12/2008 10:16 PM)
Edit reason: silly typo

I think you are all right. The 7 week old pup was having such a hard time. I brought him in and put him in a crate. He is still very upset but at least it is quite out side. The 9 week old pup is doing fine and sound asleep.

Thank you all for your help!

7 weeks is very young and even though he is at home he is still going through his first night all alone without his packmate.

even full grown my dogs would be beside themselves if made to sleep outside alone in the dark.

depending on how strongly he is bonded to you It may help if he can see you, I have been known to make a bed on the floor next to a crate, or drag it beside the couch to help them feel safer the first couple of nights

I agree, crate in the house (bedroom/livingroom) seems the best way to put as little stress on the puppy as possible.

How long have you had the pupps (each same amount of time)??

You said that they are not going to be indoor dogs?? Are they pets, but not alowed in the house?? Some type of sport dog?? Working dog??

Crate is great, but can be a bit annoying the first couple of nights with no littermates?? Just ignore the pup, throw a blanket over crate, possibly a blanket or t-shirt that smells like ya?

When we got our puppy, I believe that we got a towel that the pupps had slept on at the breeders to mae them more comfortable at night when sleeping alone in the crate??

Hope this helps??

Adam