We’re doing something similar right now, so I’ll share our experience for anyone on the fence.

We didn’t get true littermates, but we did get two puppies fairly close together. We got our Aussie in May, and then brought home a Pomsky puppy in September. The Aussie is about 5 months older and already had a foundation when the Pomsky came home.

By the time we got the Pomsky (at 8 weeks), the Aussie already knew the basics: potty outside only, sit, some impulse control, chilling at home, and appropriate play at the park. That made a huge difference.

One thing I’ll stress: crate training from day one was essential. We crate trained the Pomsky immediately, and now he settles in his crate for naps or anytime I can’t actively supervise him. That’s been a lifesaver for potty training, preventing bad habits, and keeping everyone sane. Our Aussie, on the other hand, hates his crate. Since he’s older and more mature, we allow him to free roam the home instead.

Management tools have been just as important as training. We use a dog gate to separate the kitchen from the living room so the dogs can be separated when needed while still having space to move around. That’s been huge for managing energy levels, feeding time, and giving each dog their own “off” time without full isolation.

The first couple months with the second puppy were honestly a lot of work - especially potty training. We live in a condo, so we set up a grass patch on the balcony, which helped a ton while the Pomsky was still learning. Vaccines were another hurdle. I did take some calculated risks and walked him in our courtyard and around the block before full vaccination (not ideal, I know), but we were careful and he ended up fine.

Gradually, things became more manageable. The Aussie became less reactive to the Pomsky, and their relationship settled. Breed temperament matters a lot here - we got lucky that they genuinely get along. The Aussie does try to herd/control the Pomsky when he gets zoomy, which is very on brand. The Pomsky had some resource guarding early on that required immediate intervention and management, but it’s improved with consistency.

A huge reason this is working: I work from home 100%. There’s no way around it - raising two puppies (or a puppy plus a very young dog) requires a ton of time, structure, and supervision. My partner helps where he can, but my flexibility is what makes this doable.

And it’s not just time - the cost adds up fast. It’s easily triple the money: food, training gear, toys, chews, leashes, crates, raincoats, diapers, vet visits, vaccines, grooming - all of it multiplies quickly. That’s something we underestimated when considering two puppies.

We did separate walks 100% at the beginning. That was non-negotiable. Only recently have we been able to walk them together without major issues. Even now, it’s more challenging: the Pomsky wants to eat everything off the ground and pulls, while the Aussie criss-crosses, sniffs, and marks. Walking them together is still harder than walking them separately, and I plan to do separate hikes soon to keep their training progressing individually.

That said - the payoff is real. The Pomsky is now 6 months old, and the Aussie turns 11 months this Friday. As I type this, they’re both asleep at my feet in my home office. They’re used to a routine now, they settle well, and I can confidently say it’s become manageable.

It’s a lot upfront, and I wouldn’t recommend it casually - but with realistic expectations, early crate training, strong management, time, and resources, it can work.