Proactive strategies are crucial when raising puppies from the same litter to avoid potential behavioral issues. These issues can stem from over-attachment to one another and insufficient socialization with the outside world, leading to anxiety, fearfulness, and aggression towards unfamiliar people and animals. A common example is puppies displaying extreme distress when separated, even for short periods, and failing to develop individual coping mechanisms.
Mitigating these risks allows for the puppies to develop into well-adjusted and confident adult dogs. Early interventions enhance each puppy’s chances of forming strong bonds with human caregivers and navigating novel environments independently. Historically, the potential for detrimental outcomes from raising littermates together was not always recognized, leading to a higher incidence of dogs exhibiting problematic behaviors.
