Are you not sure if your dog remembers their siblings? Or the reason why they behave differently around certain dogs? There is a possibility that they are siblings, and then it is simply the dog remembering their siblings.
Do Dogs Remember Their Siblings?
There is no 100% certainty if dogs can remember their sibling as the situations are not usually set in stone. However, when they stay in socialization for longer than six weeks, it is expected that their scent sticks.
Since dogs have a greater sense of smell, it is easier for them to recognize their siblings through smell. However, there are several other ways that they could use in remembering, which include through faces.
How Do Dogs Remember Their Siblings?
Even though there has been research that says that dogs find it hard to recognize their littermates. Yet, due to specific occurrences, it is difficult to rule out that dogs don’t remember their siblings.
Initially, puppies are separated from their families at six weeks of age after socializing with others. But if they have been with their sibling longer than six weeks, then there is a possibility of always remembering their siblings.
When it comes to how they recognize their siblings, it is through their sense of smell. Dogs have a great sense of smell, so their siblings’ scent sticks with them for years. So, even after separation, they still can recognize their smell.
Also, they can recognize faces more than humans do, which is another way they use in remembering their siblings.
Dogs share similar DNA markers with humans, and so they take up certain human traits. One of these traits stops them from breeding with any member of their family. So, it can be speculated that dogs always protect their DNA when they contact their siblings.
Still, there is no way to be measure how a dog identifies their siblings. In addition, certain qualities about the dog may change in the future, so they may find it harder to recognize their dogs.
Do Dogs Deal With Separation?
Since it has been established that dogs can remember their siblings, the question is if they miss the siblings. For dogs that have been recently taken out of socialization, it comes with a possibility of separation anxiety.
Starting a new life away from their siblings or littermates is sometimes as difficult as entirely losing a loved one. Thus, you’d have to watch out for the signs of possible separation anxiety.
Here are a few signs of them dealing with separation:
Excessive Crying
Once they are still in that phase, they may cry when they can no longer find you. So, you may be in the house, and the moment they think you are gone, it triggers the teats. Thus, they would always want to follow you everywhere.
Significant Howling
The moment you put him in its crate, they would start barking or howling.
Getting Frightened
Simple, loud noises like the doorbell, increased tone of voice, or a vacuum cleaner could start your dog. At night they may get even more frightened and find it hard to sleep.
Being Clingy
Just after being separated from their siblings, they would want to be held up more frequently than usual.
Can I Help My Dog Deal With Separation Anxiety?
When your dog is recently separated from their siblings, they surely would get depressed and suffer an element of separation anxiety. However, there are ways you could help it get through the process. It starts with understanding what they are going through and then make a conscious effort to help them.
Here’s what you can do for them:
Control The Environment
During the first few days of separation, you must be sensitive enough to keep everything calm. Irrespective of how exciting it can be for everyone to have a new pet, the noise never helps the dog settle in.
Supervise Their Interactions
If you live in a home with children, you’d have to spend time teaching the kids how to handle the new addition. At this point, you would have to make an effort to supervise the interactions consciously. For the new dog, you can find a way to involve it in household activities.
Create An Inclusive Routine
Be consistent with how you feed them, the time you take them for walks, potty break, and other necessities. This creates some order around their activities after being recently separated from their siblings.
Place His Crate Strategically
Since the dog already feels alone and isolated, you have to make sure you don’t add to that. This could be by placing your dog’s crate in a place where it can still feel involved in whatever is going on in the household.
Some dog owners put the crate in their bedroom or living room where they can have human contact. Still, always expect some barking and whining before they get settled.
Simulate A Family Setting
A proper simulation that depicts the home it has been separated from could help with the separation process. To do this, you can wrap a hot water bottle in a soft towel or blanket and place it in their crate or bed.
Other traditional dog owners include a ticking clock to simulate the mother’s heartbeat. All of these elements give the dog a warmer atmosphere to stay in their new home.
Summary
When it comes to remembering siblings, it is not only humans that have the ability. Dogs share the ability to recognize their siblings the way humans do. However, unlike humans, dogs remember their siblings through their smell and, other times, their faces.
Yet, when a dog is just recently separated from its siblings, it affects them. They could get depressed and have to deal with separation anxiety. The good news is, you can help them work through the phase and get them to love their new home just as much.
Several techniques would assist you in helping your dog deal with separation. In all, your dog may remember their sibling, and so you should not disregard such.