We live in a fast paced world. Waiting thirty seconds for a web page to load, or three minutes for your coffee to brew can seem like an eternity - there are always multiple tasks and projects that need to be done right now. To give balance to us in this fast paced frenzied life we live in means that sometimes we just want something or someone who will always be there for us, always love us, and never have a day where they just don't have time for us. Even as we become busier, people still bring puppies and grown dogs into our lives, and these new friends can be just what we need when life seems to be just a little too hard or hectic.

But you are a sensible adult, who cares deeply for little Sally. You cannot be home for her all the time, and do not want her to be lonely. You are fully aware of your chaotic schedule, and had no delusions about how much time you could spend with Sally each day. Which is why you didn't just bring Sally home, you also brought home her sister, Molly. The decision made logical sense at the time. Molly and Sally already knew each other having come from the same litter. There was no need to introduce each other, and they could keep each other company while you were away at work. In theory, it seemed perfect. But then you began noticing some behaviors you didn't like much.

Does This Sound Like Behaviors Your Dogs Exhibit?

Instead of strengthening each other as they grow up, they will become dependent upon one another. You'll see signs of Molly panicking when you take Sally to the vet without her, or even leave the room for a few minutes. Instead of two well rounded dogs, Molly and Sally will grow up to each be 'half a dog', completing each other, and incapable of functioning as individuals. The consequences go further then just stunting their mental and emotional growth. When dogs fail to grow fully mentally and aren't allowed to gain independence and confidence, they may become destructive, fearful, or even aggressive. While Molly and Sally are bonding to each other, this will also inhibit their ability to form the lasting attachment you are hoping for with you and the rest of their human family.

Once anyone discovers they have potential trouble brewing, they do what anyone living in an information age does. They consult the Internet and start googling away. Article after article written by trainers with multiple years of experience describe in detail what you are likely experiencing. Among the things that other owners of sisters, brothers or brother/sister pups raised in the same home have or will experience:

• One is dominant; the other is timid

• Dual aggression toward other dogs

• Inseparable, yet a seemingly neurotic relationship consisting of dominance and submission

• Antagonizing by the submissive one, which appears to be unprovoked aggression by the dominant one

The condition Molly and Sally are experiencing is called Littermate Syndrome.

That is a terrifying list of problems that can occur, all the result of not wanting your new puppy to be lonely. At this point, you may have only been seeing that they seem to panic when separated from each other. Littermate Syndrome is, unfortunately, not something that will end once they mature, and into their own unique personalities. You have two options of what you can do to help Molly and Sally grow up to be independent. The first option, and most sources say is the best option, is a hard one and that is to find a new home for either Molly or Sally. Separating them will give each the chance to grow up and not be dependent on each other. If you have a dear friend who is willing to adopt Molly, almost overnight you'll see the changes in Sally and vice versa. But this is a hard choice, and one not everyone is willing to pick.

The second choice is time consuming, but necessary if you want to keep Molly and Sally under one roof. You will have to perform 'double duty'. Basically, this means that you will need to raise them separately. Separate crates, take Molly and Sally on separate walks and take them separately to the vet. They can play together, but whenever you are interacting with them, it must be individually and separately. This will only last twelve - fourteen months, at which point they will be established enough in their confidence and maturity to be fully integrated.

The sooner you make a decision over how you will overcome littermate syndrome with your new puppies the better. The longer you wait, the harder for them it will be to establish their own identities the older they get.