Excited, scared, and nervous at the same time for our #2 doodle

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Well, you guys weren't very good at talking me out of a second doodle. Since I posted my question about why I shouldn't get a second doodle, I found out my breeder had bred Yogi's parents again. I so
Love his temperament that I think I'd like to get another one of their pups. I know it's no garantee of another great dog, but it won't hurt either! I had originally wanted a different color this time, but I'm sure I'll be just as happy with his sibling.
Yogi will be 10 1/2 months when our new pup comes home. I'm really stepping up my efforts at training him. He really is pretty well trained now ( well except for last night in obedience class when we were working on heel for the first time haha)
So our new addition will be another English mini goldendoodle. Yogi is 33#'s which is exactly what we wanted him to be, but I think I'd like this one to be a little smaller. He is heavier than he looks like when I lift him into the tub, so smaller might be better. Either way they will be fairly close in size, I just won't look for the largest in the litter...unless of course I fall in love with the chubby one :-). I'm open to boys or girls. Right now I'm thinking a little girl. Sammy, Charli, Annie, hmmmm? If I go boy, I really like Buckles.
Wish us luck, now to research info on double doodle families.

[1np1tlyyqzo7v]

Nothing can fully prepare you.  It's going to be hard at first.  Just like all puppies are hard at first, sort of double it.  I've had Clover for almost two weeks now and some of the issues are:

1.  Feeding.  She's on a puppy food that my five year old just happens to love.  SO, now I have an adult dog on puppy food which might cause him to gain too much weight unless/until I can find something to put them both on that'll meet their nutritional needs.  My vet isn't keen on the "all life stages" foods...thinking it's too much for a puppy or not enough for one or the other.  Feeding them separately is easier said than done in my house.

 

2.  They will "fight".  It's mostly play fighting, but you have to constantly watch that the bigger/older dog isn't hurting the puppy.  Your older dog is barely out of the puppy stage himself so may not know to give a new puppy plenty of leeway when it comes to getting nipped and pounced on by a wiggly little one.  You also don't want to have Yogi be responsible for "babysitting" the new puppy.  It's exhausting to watch all the time.  Remember, I'm 13 days into this, so you'll appreciate my advice soon ;)

 

3.  One of them is going to be the dominant one and you have to let them work that arrangement out.  You also have to give Yogi plenty of one on one time and let him know he's playing second fiddle now.  There will be some jealousy (call it what you will), some don't believe dogs have that emotion, but I beg to differ.

 

4.  Make sure you only allow the rough play for 10 minutes or so at a time so that it doesn't get out of hand and also make sure that each dog has a place they can go without the other.  For Jonas, he can hop up on our bed and Clover can't get to him/it (yet).  Of course, for Clover it's her crate. 

 

I'll probably think of more things.  I hope yours are best buds from day one but it usually isn't instant like that.  I can tell mine are going to be great friends but right now they're still working stuff out. 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Julie, my 2 have been on different foods from the beginning and what worked for me was to enforce separate eating areas for them. They eat at the same time, within a few feet of each other, but each knows to leave the other's food alone. I started this from Oscar's first day home (they also have their own water bowls that the other doesn't touch). Once Lucy leaves her dish Oscar makes a bee line for it, but while she's eating he knows its off limits. Lucy could care less about Oscar's food. She's just not very food motivated.

[1np1tlyyqzo7v]

What do you use to separate them?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

When I was training mine, I used my body  to follow through, as well as placing the newest dog's food around a corner.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Just a voice command, nothing physical. Luckily, Oscar has minded well from Day 1, and he caught on quickly to the food situation. Maybe I was just lucky ;-)

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Julie, thank you so much for this helpful information. I will add it to my list. Good luck with your two

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Great advice Julie.  I am 9 days in with our new little guy.  You are right it is exhausting but fun all at the same time. 

My Bailey is a shy eater and will not eat with anyone around so I feed Bruin his puppy kibble in his crate and Bailey eats where she always has.  It works for us.  Bruin is such a fast eater, he would devour his food and Bailey's before she even touched it.

Bailey is being so so tolerant of her new baby brother.  He nips, pulls and pounces on her to no end.  I have had to be "momma dog" and give him a couple of warning touches on the scruff of his neck to get him to stop. 

I found a great deal on Nomorerack for a collapsible dog pen that is perfect to bring from room to room.  I can bring it into the office and he can play and be in site and not into trouble. I can also use it as a "time out" place as needed... LOL

[Anja]

Leslie - there is a great book called Feeling Outnumbered? How to manage and enjoy your multi-dog household... It's a quick read but gives good pointers on what rules to set to have a happy pack :). Good luck you'll love having two.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Thank you for pointing out that book. I really like Pat's previous book that I have

[Camilla and Darwin]

Congratulations, keep us updated!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Thanks Camilla!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Congratulations, looking forward to updates!