Adding a second dog to the family

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I've been concidering getting a second dog. Im wondering if getting Remy a playmate would help him to calm down some? Maybe to keep him company when we are at work and to have a playmate. Any advice?

[Adina P]

I wouldn't say they "calm" each other--LOL--they tend to egg each other on. But they do allow their energy to be used on each other rather than on you. To SOME extent...obviously they will still need to play with you too, etc. But they can be occupied wrestling and playing together for some time.

One thing to keep in mind though...is that until your 2nd dog (puppy?) is house trained and ready to be free in the house, they won't be able to keep each other much company while they are home alone since puppy will be confined (and/or Remy too).

I think two is better than one...but it all depends on you and your family. Traveling is more difficult with two and boarding is more expensive with two. More food (= more poop), more to train, more dirt, more vet trips, etc... It's worth it to me, but not to all.

[Barbara Burrows]

Abby was 1 when we added Molly who was 6 months old. They definitely have their own personalities...opposites... Abby has always been calm and has a calming effect on Molly who is high energy and very curious about everything.. The only things alike about them is they are very sweet and are Australian Labradoodles.

They are great company for each other. Training is easier because Molly does everything Abby does. I think we have a good balance.. I think a lot depends on how much time you have to deal with a second dog.

For me this pic shows that makes you know you have the right decision for you and them...

[Kim Williams]

OMG! Such an adorable picture.

[GBK]

Buddy was 2 yo when we got Kona and it has all gone soooooo well. They are opposites in somethings, and she really gets the big boy off his butt more to play and it has been so good for both of them. We love to watch them interact, and we take them everywhere. I would always have two if given a choice. I did wait to make sure we had the first one trained before adding the second. Kona was a breeze as a puppy, she just did what her big brother did when it came to potty and training. Stealing paper products and shoes however, I could have done without her learning so well LOL

They will sleep side by side and touching a lot of time, they really are best friends, but do not mind going out alone with me for training or fun.

[Janie]

I have two and love it that way. You have gotten some great advice from all the ones who commented.

[Moose&Mica]

Adding a second doodle is a synergistic effect.... 1+1 doesn't equal 2, it equals 5! More money to board, more food, more poo, etc. However, the synergistic effect also means more love, more laughs, more doodle snuggles. My house is certainly noisier since we got Mica (Moose insists on vocalizing the entire time he plays) and play can and does turn into a slap fight between the doodles, but it's worth it in the long run. I wouldn't get a second dog to calm a first dog, keep a first dog company, etc. because that doesn't always work. Get a second dog because YOU want to increase the size of your herd and would welcome another dog (and you want 5 times the fun).

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

I have two dogs and LOVE It.... was the best thing I ever did.

[Paula]

Calm down some! Whoah ya that'll do it! Check out my photos of Dandy and Rocky. They are two months apart in age. 6 and 8 months at the moment. Adding Rocky when Dandy was 5 months old didn't calm him down. Mind you he wasn't rowdy he just seemed lonesome. They are VERY happy together! They play for hours. The two of them even play ball with each other unassisted by humans. And when I'm out I put them in their crates which are side by side turned slightly so they can see one another. They are great company for each other at play or at rest. As WILD as it can get at times, after all they're puppies full of pup I mean pep, I don't ever regret the decision to get Dandy a playmate for a second. It warms the shackles of my heart to see them so happy together. :o] You won't be sorry you did either
Paula

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

We love having 2 dogs. Yes it's more work, but they are really so much fun. Kirby was 1 when we adopted him (Dex was also 1) so we avoided the puppy stage again. Kirby is much lower on the play drive than Dex which is good because he actually has a point where he will stop :) They definitely wear each other out and entertain each other (plus we work full time and I like that they have each other when we're away).

Dex and Kirby have bonded very strongly to each other, but that hasn't effected their bond to us.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I JUST got my second doodle ( 8 months old) a week ago and I agree that calming is not the effect! I am a bit worried about just how rough my two play--they are both toughies and never quit! The other one is 2 y.o. but very energetic, so she is thrilled to have a puppy to play with. I have to separate them to give them a break--they both tend to play with their mouths open and teeth bared and it is scary to watch--but they never seem to touch each other with those teeth--not sure how! But it is fun having two and i agree that its more like having 5.
I am not sure we will ever got to the point where they just chill together--its high energy all the way.

[fergie11]

I agree that the second won't calm each other. They will play a lot and then get tired and rest better. The same if you had a good game of volleyball or something. You'd be tired and you'd rest better. I got Lucy actually to make Fergie more active and happy. She'd lay around all day with noone to play with. Other dogs would come to visit and she'd be so-so happy and then she seemed so sad when they left. She's very happy with Lucy - I think she thinks she's going to leave like the rest of my friends dogs. I keep telling her she's staying - don't think she gets it. She will. It's only been 1 1/2 wks, they are both doing great. If you want a second for yourself as much as for her, get one. But I don't think it "calms them".