Training Two German Shepherds at the same time - Page 2

As a breeder I won't sell 2 puppies to the same family at the same time.  I have found over the years I prefer to see how the family will do with the first one, and how well they will keep in touch with me.  Then after the first year will consider them taking another.  I also (TRY) to find out as much as possible about perspective buyers to see what other animals, dogs, puppies or whatever  they might have and if I feel they have too young of a dog already I will not sell them one at that time.  Now this has not always been my practice, but through a couple of bad experiences of allowing families to take 2 at a time I have now put this into my practice.  I worry less, and I truly think it is a wise decision.  I consider it like having twins, we don't choose that but I think all as parents would agree it is easier to raise one child and then you add your second or another later on.  Getting 2 puppies is sort of like having twins and therefore more difficult. IMO

depends what yr training for and how much time you have, if you got a day job with long or odd hours it is tough training one dog. if you got good hours at work or work from home then train multiple dogs is no big deal. also depends if you are going to comps, once you do the work of taking one dog /horse/cat to a venue it is just as easy to take 2 or 3 dogs. same fuel,  travel time etc. some people say it is not worth the fuel and time just taking one dog to a venue?? i dont think you mentioned what you are training for. i just got 2 more dogs to make it 4 dogs, not seeing the big deal everyone goes  about. tracking would be the only thing that would be hard. agility, bitework, obed etc i dont see the problem. as for multiple dogs packing up, i used to believe that until i had multiple dogs - i can tell you it is not the drama most people make it out to be. my dogs are way more balanced i think now they are in a pack, some work venues require multiple dogs to work, how do houndsmen and real herders survive if this idea of packing up is going to destroy yr leadership, it is simply not true unless you are incompetent handler then it is true and would be true if you only owned one dog or just a goldfish.

I personally would not get 2 pups (same/similar age group)  at the same time.  Been there, done that.   Will not do it again. 

Everything else, I will go with Markobytes' post above....on the mark.

I train 2. One 2 year old male and one 1 year old female. If you don't mind it taking every spare second of your life, it' s fine. Helps me to become a better handle. Both dogs are so different. Thanks to a great TD and club, we are moving right along. BH in spring for both and maybe a 1. Will see. I'm having a blast.
2 pups is another story. That would be tough. Its all up to you and how devoted you are. Best of luck. Take care.

its ruff, especially if their not the same age and have to b seperated all the time

even the same age, i would not keep them together. you want a Puppy bonded to you.

NO.....don't do it...even at different age...not worth it.....hard to do especially when they bond and feed off each other than you get same issue in both of them creating double work....get one in line first, than get another - get that one in line...I worked my way to 3 but acquired 4th one (previous owners had no training put into him, no basic ob, nothing)  before 3rd one was where she needed to be and now she feeds off the rebel and fuels him, he uses her to create chaos and it just goes from there..the worst part is when you separate them (they are about 1.5 years apart) they go as far as destroying a kennel to be together yet constantly growl and biker when together (no fight, just obsessive compulsive behavior towards each other, toys, sticks, rug spot, shady spot under a tree) etc....

Training 2 puppies at the same time is doable.......but it taks much work

#1 puppies cannot be allowed to interact with each other or with other dogs.
#2 socializing must be done at least every other day and only one dog at a time.
#3 one puppy must be kept in a crate or kennel when the other is being worked.
#4 when working one puppy and it shows interest in the other, it must be trained to ignore the other and focus on you.

think about it......
one puppy........5 to 10 minute training sessions 3 to 4 times a day, socializing couple of times a week, minimal distraction......

two puppies - 5 to 10 minute trainins sessions 6 to 8 times a day, socializing every day, constant distraction.......,

plus crate cleaning, pooper scooping, vaccinations and vet expenses......again puppies taken to the vet on different days..


OH, and this is for at least 9 to 12 months


training 2 puppies at once is a full time job, do you have enough time to do this correctly?

dont be scared away, in a nut shell its extremely time consuming, dont kid urself, but if u have the desire, time and knowhow to do it correctly them have @ it. to plus side is that i got all potty training out @ once........the one upside bad phases are double, but once

if i wanted 2 dogs i would get one have it well trained and highly socialized
before adding another.