Littermates Fighting

[Dino1215]

Hello,

I would like to share my story in hopes that it will help others in the future. My husband and I brought home two male Yorkie puppies from the same litter. Before doing so I found a reputable breeder in CT and spoke to her about bringing two males home and wanted her opinion (she thought it was great!). I also asked a few other breeders via email and phone calls. None, including the woman we picked the puppies up from, warned us that after they mature they may start fighting.

They got along great as pups. We had them neutered at 5 and 1/2 months. They would play with each other and be rough and tumble, but never aggressive. Once and a while they would fight, but the breeder and my vet told me it was probably due to a new smell (they were just groomed or had been at the vet) and not to worry about it.

When they were about 18 months the fighting became so bad that we had to keep them separated and after no progress was made we had to re-home one. It was/is one of the most heartbreaking things I've gone through. We were fortunate to find him a very loving home.

Before re-homing we contacted and worked with two animal behaviorists and our vet's office and all of them said that this happens more often than not. Two puppies of the same sex and the same litter typically do not get along. All three recommended re-homing at this stage. We also tried everything we could think of and read about, e.g., feeding them separately, walking and playing with them separately, separate sleeping areas.

I did contact the breeder when it first started and she was unable to help - honestly, her response was very disappointing. She didn't seem to care or want to help.

Anyway, I wanted to let others know about my experience. Both the boys are thriving now. They are happy and get along great with other dogs and cats - just not each other.

[matese]

Thank you for sharing your story.

It's always a roll of the dice if two puppies will get along, regardless if they are litter mates or not, and the sex male vs females is included.
You did the best thing for your babies, re-home one, as heart breaking as it was, it was the best for both of them.
It had to be devastating for you to see vicious fighting between the two.

Now both are happy (((hugs)))

[Dino1215]

Thank you for such a supportive, nice, and kind reply

[Dave_41]

Hi Dino1215. I'm so sorry to hear about your puppies fighting.

It is true that it can be a gamble with two puppies/littermates fighting, which is why the breeder should have alerted you about the possibility that the puppies might not get along.

I'm surprised the breeder though it would be a great idea. The breeder should have cautioned you about taking home two littermates. It would have been the ethical thing to do.

You didn't do anything wrong. I wish you the best of luck with your new puppy.

[Dave_41]

Hi Dino1215. I'm so sorry to hear about your puppies fighting.

It is true that it can be a gamble with two puppies/littermates fighting, which is why the breeder should have alerted you about the possibility that the puppies might not get along.

I'm surprised the breeder though it would be a great idea. The breeder should have cautioned you about taking home two littermates. It would have been the ethical thing to do.

You didn't do anything wrong. I wish you the best of luck with your new puppy.

[yavenay]

Originally Posted by Dino1215

Hello,

I would like to share my story in hopes that it will help others in the future. My husband and I brought home two male Yorkie puppies from the same litter. Before doing so I found a reputable breeder in CT and spoke to her about bringing two males home and wanted her opinion (she thought it was great!). I also asked a few other breeders via email and phone calls. None, including the woman we picked the puppies up from, warned us that after they mature they may start fighting.

They got along great as pups. We had them neutered at 5 and 1/2 months. They would play with each other and be rough and tumble, but never aggressive. Once and a while they would fight, but the breeder and my vet told me it was probably due to a new smell (they were just groomed or had been at the vet) and not to worry about it.

When they were about 18 months the fighting became so bad that we had to keep them separated and after no progress was made we had to re-home one. It was/is one of the most heartbreaking things I've gone through. We were fortunate to find him a very loving home.

Before re-homing we contacted and worked with two animal behaviorists and our vet's office and all of them said that this happens more often than not. Two puppies of the same sex and the same litter typically do not get along. All three recommended re-homing at this stage. We also tried everything we could think of and read about, e.g., feeding them separately, walking and playing with them separately, separate sleeping areas.

I did contact the breeder when it first started and she was unable to help - honestly, her response was very disappointing. She didn't seem to care or want to help.

Anyway, I wanted to let others know about my experience. Both the boys are thriving now. They are happy and get along great with other dogs and cats - just not each other.

Sometimes these things happen. I had two cats and one cat hated the other cat. It got so bad that one of the cats was getting physically ill. She was afraid to walk around the house. She was afraid of being attacked. I had to keep them separated. Fortunately for me, my mother's cat had just died and so she took one of the cats where he lived to a ripe old age and passed away shortly after my mother did.

[Dave_41]

The breeder shouldn't have said that buying two males was great idea. I'm holding off on buying a second dog now that I've read experiences from other people. Anyone have any experiences with a cat or rescue dog getting along with a Yorkie? I'd appreciate any advice.

[matese]

Originally Posted by Dave_41

The breeder shouldn't have said that buying two males was great idea. I'm holding off on buying a second dog now that I've read experiences from other people. Anyone have any experiences with a cat or rescue dog getting along with a Yorkie? I'd appreciate any advice.

Dogs, regardless of the breed or if it's a mix. It's always a roll of the dice if they will get along, it's a chance we all take when bringing in a 2nd dog.

I had a pack of 3 females, all 3 years apart now all passed. When I had two age 6 and 3 I bought home a 8 week old baby girl. Because the baby was a wild child the two older girls stayed on high grounds (the sofa) after 2 months my older girls finally would stay on the floor with the wild beast. They got along fantastically. Could be the way I raised and trained them, could have been their personalities (they were all yorkies) or perhaps I was just lucky.

If you're thinking of a rescue, meet the dog, if you decide you want that dog, it is suggested to bring your dog to meet the one you want to adopt, let them sniff and greet, see if they like each other, however, that is not to say when the stranger enters your dogs domain they will still get along.
I have no experience with cat and dog, we do however have members that bought kittens home for their pups. Hopefully they will give you some in put.

Like I have stated....it's a roll of the dice.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Dave_41

The breeder shouldn't have said that buying two males was great idea. I'm holding off on buying a second dog now that I've read experiences from other people. Anyone have any experiences with a cat or rescue dog getting along with a Yorkie? I'd appreciate any advice.

I have four. We have never had bad issues that couldn’t be worked out. We also had multiples growing up with no issues. My senior passed away in June and I got a puppy in October. The others are big at teaching her what is ok and what is not. When I just had my first yorkie my parents rescued a yorkie and he came over all the time and eventually my parents and him moved in to help with my grandparents and they were like best friends. It can also depend on the dog though if they are aggressive and if they get along with other dogs. I would try to stay with a dog around the same size.

[Dino1215]

You are fortunate that it worked out but your situation sounds completely different. We brought home two males from the same litter. They are great with other dogs, just not with each other when inside. They don't have aggression issues. We worked with two behaviorist and both said it is very common and once the fighting starts it rarely, if ever, improves. We could introduce another dog into our home for our little guy, but not sure I want to take the chance at this time. He is enjoying being the center of attention and is much less stressed. He has fun meeting other dogs and people while out for a walk.

[Lisa and Pic]

I am sorry it did not work out. Heartbreaking. It does sound like you did everything you could.

I had a dog that stopped getting along with others a few years ago. It was sad, but I had to mostly keep her separated from the other two, unless I was 100% on watch duty while they were all together.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Dino1215

You are fortunate that it worked out but your situation sounds completely different. We brought home two males from the same litter. They are great with other dogs, just not with each other when inside. They don't have aggression issues. We worked with two behaviorist and both said it is very common and once the fighting starts it rarely, if ever, improves. We could introduce another dog into our home for our little guy, but not sure I want to take the chance at this time. He is enjoying being the center of attention and is much less stressed. He has fun meeting other dogs and people while out for a walk.

If your referring to me I wasn’t comparing my situation to yours I was answering someone else’s question. Dogs are pack animals so they generally prefer another dog but not all of them do.

[horsnaround]

We had this probably with two males not the same litter. In fact two years age in between. Lived together great for 3 years not a problem. And then the fighting begun. Tried everything I finally took one of them. I had two females Never a problem with them or any other dog This was so many years ago but still to this day they can not be together..And they are 15 and 13 years old. I guess I should have said they lived with my daughter. One was a silky and the other a yorkie. Both wonderful dogs Just hate each other lol. The silky has another dog in the house and that works also.