The Adventures of Kimchi and Pebbles: Healthy Sleep Routines
Note: Littermate syndrome is a term used to describe the behavioral challenges that can arise when two puppies from the same litter are raised together (Note…the puppies/dogs don’t have to be from the same litter or siblings to develop littermate syndrome. Puppies that are close in age that are raised together can also experience it.) These challenges often include excessive dependence on each other, difficulty forming bonds with humans, and anxiety when separated. It’s a real concern for any pet owner raising littermates, and it’s something we’ve been mindful of since day one.
Establishing Healthy Sleep Routines for Kimchi and Pebbles was one of the first strategies we worked on when we brought them home at 8 weeks old to help prevent littermate syndrome.
Dogs that sleep together form deep emotional bonds, much like family members in a close-knit group. This behavior is natural and beneficial for their emotional well-being, provided it is managed in a way that also encourages individual independence. The bond formed through sleeping together is a foundational aspect of their relationship, influencing how they interact, learn, and grow together.
As a twin myself, I’ve always been fascinated by the unique bond that exists between twins. Growing up with my sister, we shared an inseparable connection that was deeply comforting, especially as preemies that were born two months early and shared a bassinet, then a crib until the first year of our lives. As we grew older, it became clear that fostering our individual identities was just as important as cultivating our bond. This experience has greatly informed how I approach raising Kimchi and Pebbles, ensuring they grow into well-adjusted, independent dogs while maintaining their special bond.
The Importance of Varied Sleep Scenarios
Much like human twins, littermate puppies can become overly dependent on one another if not given the opportunity to develop their independence. In the same way that my sister and I had to learn to function independently of each other (separating us into different classes in first grade and the dramatic tears and outrage that came with it is still a vivid memory), it was crucial to introduce Kimchi and Pebbles to varied sleeping scenarios to avoid fostering an unhealthy dependence.
In human twins, this balance between connection and independence is often navigated throughout childhood and adolescence. Similarly, with Kimchi and Pebbles, we wanted to ensure they were comfortable both together and apart. From the start, we made it a point to get them used to different sleeping routines. For instance, some nights, I would take one puppy to bed with me early while Bob stayed up with the other on the couch. This routine was rotated to ensure neither puppy became overly attached to one person or routine.
Alternating Bedtimes: Learning to Be Apart
In my experience as a twin, learning to navigate life separately from my sister was key to developing my own identity. The same principle applied to Kimchi and Pebbles. By not always putting them to bed at the same time, we helped them understand that it’s okay to be apart. This practice mirrored how my sister and I learned to pursue our individual interests, which ultimately strengthened our bond rather than weakening it.
This approach not only prevented one puppy from becoming overly dependent on the other but also ensured they could find comfort in different situations, just as my sister and I had to find comfort in our separate journeys while maintaining our close connection.
Rotating the Routine: Avoiding Attachment Advantage
In raising twins, whether human or canine, it’s essential to avoid creating an “attachment advantage” where one twin becomes more dependent on a particular person or routine. My sister and I experienced the co-dependence and once it was discovered by my parents, they encouraged our individual growth, and I wanted the same for Kimchi and Pebbles. By rotating their bedtime routines—sometimes taking one to bed early and leaving the other with Bob, and then switching the next night—we ensured they didn’t become overly reliant on each other or on a single human.
This rotation helped Kimchi and Pebbles learn that it’s okay to be with different people or alone, mirroring the independence my sister and I learned over time. They became adaptable and confident in various scenarios, just as we did through our experiences.
Correlation Between Twin Independence and Canine Development
Reflecting on my own life as a twin, I see clear parallels in how we’ve raised Kimchi and Pebbles. Just as my sister and I needed to learn to function independently while maintaining our bond, Kimchi and Pebbles have benefited from being introduced to different sleep scenarios that fostered their independence without compromising their connection.
In both cases, whether human or canine, the goal is to strike a balance between connection and individuality. For my sister and me, this balance allowed us to thrive as individuals while remaining close. For Kimchi and Pebbles, it’s about ensuring they grow into well-adjusted dogs who are comfortable in their own skins, whether together or apart.
Final Thoughts
Establishing healthy sleep routines is more than just a practical concern—it’s about fostering independence while preserving the bond that makes twins, whether human or canine, so unique. By introducing variety into their sleeping arrangements, rotating routines, and avoiding attachment advantages, we’ve ensured that Kimchi and Pebbles are thriving both individually and together.
These practices have been crucial in preventing littermate syndrome, just as understanding the balance between connection and independence has been vital in my relationship with my twin sister. For Kimchi and Pebbles, this approach has laid the foundation for a lifetime of healthy, happy companionship.
For your reference, here is a sample schedule that we would follow one week and then switch it up. We had them sleep with us from day 1. Even if you crate train them or don’t let them sleep with you at night, you have to switch it up for them and not let them sleep in the same crate all the time. If they are together all day and then again all night, they are more likely to develop that unique bond that can lead to littermate syndrome.
Sunday night - Colleen go to bed at 9 PM and brings Kimchi with her. Bob stay up in the living room with Pebbles. Both come to bed around 11 PM.
Monday night - Colleen go to bed at 9 PM and brings Kimchi and Pebbles to bed. Bob comes to bed around 11 PM.
Tuesday night - Colleen go to bed at 9 PM and brings Pebbles with her . Bob comes to bed around 11 PM.
Wednesday night - Colleen go to bed at 10 PM alone. Bob keeps puppies in the living room with him until around 11 PM and they all come to bed.
Thursday night - Everyone goes to bed at 10 PM.
Friday night - Colleen go to bed at 11 PM and brings Kimchi and Pebbles.
Saturday night - Everyone goes to bed at 10 PM.
Next week - switch it up. Never keep it the same. Always switch up the scenario. At a certain point, you can start letting them decide who and when they want to go to bed.
