Litter mates

Question
Thank you for your quick reply!  I would like to ask some additional questions.

1)  What is the best way to train pups not to bark.  It is mainly one of the pups.  He barks at his brother sometimes because he has a toy or something or just appears to want to bark?  Unfortunately once he gets going he goes full steam ahead :-)

2)  The pups play fight frequently.  Grabbing ahold of the others ear, paw, backside.  They growl and roll, tackle each other, etc.  Is this okay?  (One of us will join in and roll with them.)  Will it lead to an issue with aggression?

3)  The pups love Greenies.  It does give them something to chew besides off limit items.  We are giving them one in them in the morning (7:30) and they are gone by 4.  They also have rawhide bones but would like to give them another Greenie in the evening.  Is is too much?

4)  The pups are starting to dig.  Is there a method to break them of this habit before it gets really going?

Thank you again!



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Followup To
Question -
My friend and I each got a golden 2 weeks ago.  (Went to get her one and we bought both the males of the litter.)  They are now 10 weeks old.  We are trying to teach them to use a particular spot in my yard.  (One is doing better than the other but both are learning.)  During the day they are crated together but soon will outgrow the crate.  A crate for each is on order.

One concern is what will happen when we start walking them through the neighborhood.  Will they want to wait until home?

Another is when they stay at her townhouse with a very small back yard (10' x 14')

Another is one is growing faster than the other... almost 4 lbs the 1st week compared to 1 lb. They are fed together from the same bowl.  Should they each have there own bowl?  The one will surely finsh before the other.

Thanks
Answer -
Definitely go to separate food bowls.  Many Goldens will over eat and develop weight problems.  The more dominate one may hog the food.  having to compete for food encourages rapid eating.  The faster it goes down, the more likely it is to come back up.

For a good guide on maintaining a healthy weight go to http://www.purina.com/dogs/nutrition.asp?article=292.

The separate crates are a good idea too.  Once you have the second crate, you can even feed them in the crates.  Otherwise, stand guard while the eat to keep order.  

Males will want to leave their mark on every tree and mail box post you pass.  In some cases, you can hurry them along.  Walking can stimulate the bowels.  The dog that didn't need to go at the spot suddenly can't hold it any longer.  You are obligated to clean up away from home.  One easy way is to slip a plastic bag in your pocket.  Some use bread wrappers.  I use the sleeves the paper comes in on wet days.  Pull the bag over your hand, pick up the stool, and turn the bag inside out.  Tie it, and continue along until you find a trash receptacle.  I avoid ones next to a picnic table.  

I would like to hear more as the 2 grow up.  I would be interested to hear how they are alike and different.  Real experts never quit learning.  I also can help as new questions come up in time.  

Answer
1 Having a good pack structure reduces such problems.  The dogs see all the
people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by
reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/.  The younger you start obedience training, the easier it is.  You must keep sessions very short, only a few repetitions at a time.  Once you have taught the dog down and stay, you can break up the barking by putting him in a down stay.  You can also hold your hand in front of his mouth and say '' No bark!'' in a firm but quiet voice.  

2 It shouldn't be a problem.

3 I have read reports on the net of dogs choking on Greenies.  The dog guide school I volunteer for forbids giving any of their dogs rawhide, again choking and blockages.  The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into
pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages.  If you are not
there to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs.  Keep a
close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in
pieces.  Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed.
These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive
chewers such as Labs.  I do not give my dogs any consumable chews.  

Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds.   Ones I made
lasted much better.   Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the
foot.  Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope.   Melt the ends, and tie  knots in it.   Get
them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer.  Watch
carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

4 Digging is a lost cause.