Are you enjoying raising your Labrador and pondering the optimal age difference between Labradors in the event that you decide to get another one?
It is possible that you are concerned about his potential loneliness or the necessity of a companion for his development.
What is the appropriate age difference between Labradors within a single family?
Getting two puppies at the same time is deemed as a brilliant idea by some individuals because the canines will have each other’s companionship.
Unless you happen to be an incredibly knowledgeable dog owner or exceptionally fortunate, there is a high likelihood that you will encounter difficulties with this approach.
Particularly not in the initial stages, when two puppies can keep each other company, but rather, once they require instruction and direction.
What about staggered puppies?
The approach that the lady suggested in her letter to me last week has a minor variation.
The puppy she has now has adjusted well and is making good progress.
The age of these two puppies would be different from each other.
While one puppy will have grown to half its size, the other will still be very small.
In this scenario, there are several aspects to be worried about, and the behavior between these two dogs in the family may present even greater difficulties compared to siblings from the same litter.
This is the reason why.
Size and strength of puppies
Two puppies of equal age have comparable size and weight.
They possess comparable energy reserves and enjoy playing in a similar manner.
When comparing a five or six-month-old puppy with a two-month-old puppy, their play styles differ.
By the time he reaches the age of six months, he will possess significantly higher levels of energy and strength.
Merely having different breeds but same age puppies playing together can cause size discrepancies which could lead to problems.
However, when there is a difference in age, the issues become worse.
Emotional maturity of puppies
In most cases, grown-up dogs exhibit a high level of patience towards puppies, provided they have been socialized properly. They seem to have an unspoken understanding that puppies below the age of four months are allowed to act in any way they desire.
The mature dog will exhibit sensitivity towards the vulnerability of the young pup and modify his conduct correspondingly. He will permit the puppy to nibble and hang onto his ears without responding aggressively.
Typically, a puppy between five and six months of age is not yet mature enough to engage in this behavior. The puppy tends to play aggressively, and it is up to the owner to decide whether they enjoy it or not. Essentially, a lot of young dogs can come across as bullies. While they may still be playful, it is a more rough and tumble style of play that a smaller puppy may struggle to keep up with, and the older puppy can be quite overwhelming.
The personality of the smaller puppy can be impacted and as a result, it may be necessary to keep the puppies apart for extended periods.
There may be certain cases where some puppies possess a calm demeanor. Nonetheless, a knowledgeable pet owner will manage by closely monitoring and keeping the littler canine apart, guaranteeing that they do not obtain too many injuries or suffer from reduced self-assurance during the upcoming months.
Although coping may be necessary, the goal should be to experience pleasure and enjoyment during this time.
Bonding with two puppies
Although the size difference between the two dogs may become less noticeable as the younger puppy grows over time, new issues have surfaced.
It is common for a young puppy to form a strong attachment to his larger and more boisterous older brother, sometimes to the extent that he may neglect his human companion. This is a potential concern in households with two dogs, particularly if the elder pup is still young and eager to play with his younger sibling.
The most effective method to deal with this is to guarantee that the new puppy engages with you more often than the other puppy. However, bringing a second puppy home usually doesn’t involve this approach.
House-training two puppies
There is a possibility of your older puppy regressing in his house training if you bring a new puppy home before he hit six months old.
Young dogs tend to have accidents indoors, and they are also inclined to urinate and defecate in areas that have already been marked by older dogs. Given that your puppy has only recently been trained in terms of keeping the house clean, there is a chance that issues with this behavior may arise.
While it may not be the end of the world, it is important to consider the situation, especially if you have recently started letting your older puppy onto your carpets. However, rest assured that you will overcome this.
Two puppies will need two crates
Labradors typically continue to chew until they reach a year or more in age.
It is likely that you will need to crate your older puppy during the night and when you’re away. Placing the new puppy in the larger crate of the older one may lead to soiling.
Having small crates is essential for new puppies, hence it necessitates that you acquire two crates for your home. However, this might prove cumbersome if you don’t have ample floor space available.
Obedience training two puppies
It’s essential to provide individual training to puppies until the youngest one can handle diversions.
Training a six month old puppy with a two month old clinging to its ears and nipping at its tail is impossible. Trying to teach crucial behaviors such as walking calmly on a leash cannot be done simultaneously with two dogs.
This might not be a problem for you if you have a lot of free time and don’t mind dedicating a significant portion of it to training your dog individually.
However, in certain households, this may result in inadequate training for both dogs. The experience of being pulled by two disobedient Labradors is twice as unpleasant and hazardous compared to being pulled by only one.
The right age gap between Labradors
What is the appropriate age difference between dogs?
Ideally, the duration ranges from two to six years.
When your dog reaches two years old, they should have undergone sufficient training. Additionally, this time span allows the older dog to reach full maturity and acquire the necessary composure and acceptance towards young pups, a characteristic commonly found in properly socialized adult dogs.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, as long as your older dog has been properly socialized with pups, he may still be open to playing with your new dog if you intend to get one before your older dog reaches the age of six.
Observing an older dog carefully engaging with and developing affection for a recently acquired puppy is an authentic delight, and something that is worth being patient for.
It is advisable to not delay introducing young puppies to elderly dogs as they may become easily annoyed.
The perfect age difference between Labradors should be neither too narrow nor too wide.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
Dog training can be classified into two main levels. The first one is skill training which focuses on teaching basic manners such as sit, stay, and lie down. This level is managed by a dog trainer. The second level is behavioral training which addresses problems like anxiety, aggression, and fear. To address such issues, you need the services of a dog behavioral consultant such as Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
If you require both behavior and skills training, it is advisable to commence with the more intricate aspect – behavior training. While a dog trainer might possess knowledge on how to teach a dog to sit, a dog behavior specialist will be more knowledgeable in aiding your dog to cope with separation anxiety.
Be realistic.
Fratt suggests that just as not every person will develop an appreciation for attending raves, not every canine will acquire a fondness for visiting dog parks.
Meet Kim Brophey, the owner of The Dog Door Behavior Center who specializes in applied ethology and serves as a mediator for family dogs. She authored the book, “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior,” and utilizes the L.E.G.S framework (learning, environment, genetics, self) to interpret canine behavior. For instance, if your guests are being barked at by your dog.
Brophey suggests that the dog breed could have been chosen over centuries to guard against intruders at the front door. As a German shepherd’s natural instinct to protect its territory cannot be trained away, it may be necessary to adjust one’s expectations.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
When it comes to training methods, you have a few options: group classes, one-on-one training, board and train, day training and self-led training, to name the most common. Group classes are cheaper but less personalized. Board and train facilities are more expensive and riskier, says Fratt.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
The decision you make will be influenced by the amount of money you have available and the objectives you have for your training. If you are dealing with a situation where your dog is displaying aggressive behavior towards another dog in your own home, it would not be beneficial to train them outside of that environment.
Bear in mind that you will need to participate in your dog’s training, but it doesn’t have to consume a significant portion of your time. Fratt suggests that she dedicates roughly five minutes per day to training. Additionally, many of the assignments given by trainers can be enjoyable and conveniently integrated into your daily routine.
To save on dog training expenses, online resources that are free or inexpensive are recommended by our professionals.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has put together several resources that are available for free. Likewise, Fratt has a collection called Free Lessons for Training Tuesday.
Understand the methodologies.
The field of dog training is completely unregulated, giving free rein for anyone with a website, Instagram page, or storefront to present themselves as a dog trainer. As a result, there is no established standard that dictates what methods should be employed in dog training, resulting in conflicting opinions among trainers. However, the majority of trainers can be classified into two broad groups.
The initial type is trainers who employ positive reinforcement techniques similar to Fratt’s. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding dogs with treats or other positive stimuli when they exhibit good behavior. This encourages them to repeat the same behavior or to see a situation they find frightening as a positive one.
Balanced trainers, such as Brianna Dick, adopt positive reinforcement techniques but are also open to including corrective tools like e-collars in their training approach.
According to Dick, E-collar training utilizes a collar that is worn by your dog and controlled by a remote. It emits a correction in the form of a shock, sound, or citronella spray to the dog’s neck when necessary. E-collars are a contentious issue in the dog training world, particularly those that emit shocks.
Dick advises caution when considering a trainer who employs e-collars on all dogs. Such an approach is generic and unlikely to produce satisfactory outcomes. He proposes seeking a trainer who dedicates time to understanding your individual circumstances, including your bond and lifestyle with your pet.
Find a good trainer.
To begin your search for reliable positive reinforcement trainers or balanced trainers in your locality, consider looking through lists created by different professional organizations. Numerous associations such as the following can be consulted:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
After that, conduct interviews! Reach out to previous customers. Determine which trainer gives you the greatest sense of ease. Verify their ability to articulate their training techniques.
