Nobody Gets a Puppy When They Have a 7 Month Old Baby...Riiiiiiiight???

[Adina P]

Where to begin?

Since losing two of our three wonderful dogs earlier this year, we've thought and talked and pondered the idea of adding another doodle.  I've looked and looked at possible breeders...hoping for a chocolate or black F1 (or F1 looking) pup. 

I started communicating with a few breeders...with the intention of a possible pup NEXT year.  2011.  We were/are looking at one breeder more seriously....  That same breeder has a litter on the ground NOW, ready for the end of July. 

So then we thought...well...maybe THIS summer might be better.  Who wants to potty train in the winter when you can do it in nice weather?  So I collected some opinions and then decided ... no.  Why ruin a good thing?  There's a baby who will crawl soon that's like a puppy or two in herself.  And there's Rosco who is the lowest maintenance dog I can imagine...well behaved, easy-going, loving and settled.  Done deal.  No puppy.  And so I've told myself and others over and over and over again.

But of course...I still looked. And since I was considering this breeder...I still had to visit her home, right?  I still had to meet the parents of the 'future' litter and see how puppies live, etc.  That's where I went today.  My evil husband told me "and if you bring one home, that's okay" (here everyone is trying to convince their husbands to let them get another dood...and mine is trying to ruin my resolve to NOT get one).

Natalie and I paid a visit to a 5 week old litter of reds, apricots, and creams.  I flexed my "puppy-resistance" muscles, took my anti-puppy supplement, packed up Natalie and drove 2 hours.

And all was fine.  I didn't feel like I *HAD* to leave with one...but there were some cuuuute ones!  And in showing Clark the photos we got to talking more about what it would take to make bringing home a puppy this summer WORK.

Here's where we're at though...while there is no 'hurry' here's my dilemma(s) and some positives:

-- Rosco is a big dog...big dogs don't usually last for 15+ years.  Since we want to get a second dog while he's around...if we wait too long, we're worried he'll be too old to like the puppy and it will mostly be a nuisance to him, rather than a friend.  Clark thinks he waited too long in Cass' life to add Thule.  Cass was 10 and she really didn't ever play with Thule or interact with her, except competitively.  It didn't brighten her day, anyway.

-- Natalie is 7 months old.  She'll crawl soon.  And yet...we want more kids...and if we waited till all our potential babies were 5 years old...it will be awhile and we might be down to a one dog house again.  We WANT two dogs of different ages.  Not that this can be always planned precisely, but it's something to think about.  It might be better to get the pup now because by the time any future kids come along...it will be surely done potty training and out of nipping stage and more or less have basic manners and obedience down pat.  Yes it will take more time to train while I have a babe under 1 year old...but it would take even MORE time with several kiddos around, right?

-- Here I am, an admin of a big doodle site.  I don't want to set a 'bad' example...so I feel some pressure.

-- The area that is now our 'mud room' is a great spot for gating off puppy.  It is right next to the back door and perfect for confinement away from Natalie and a safe place to slowly acclimate puppy to our home.  We have baby gates and crates and expens...it can't be too hard to make it work.

-- Socialization seems relatively a non-issue.  I can take puppy many safe places while Natalie is in a front pack that I wear or in her stroller...both able to experience the world.

I'm not a 'newbie' dog owner...so I have a decent skill set at dog care.  Am I crazy?  One adviser told me essentially "sure you could do it, and do it well...but WHY?"  And I don't have an answer other than I kinda want to!  And it kind of scares me. 

So help me out friends!  I don't want puppy cheerleaders giving me the "rah rah rah...get a puppy!"  I want sincere, thought-out, advice.  Help me sort this out.  To get a puppy or not to get a puppy!?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

you gotta get an SUV first ...... 3 won't fit in that Saturn unless one rides upfront!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh that's so true. I'm surprised I have not been pulled over and given a ticket! It is that bad especially with Spud's arms around the gear shift. I can't get it into 5th gear.

I think a big doodle bus would be better.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I think that a doodle bus would have to be a nice VW hippie van from the 60's with Flower Power Flowers all over it in nice bright colors! (hopefully I didn't date myself there ..... I just remember them, I wasn't old enough to drive one, lol).

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I am curious about what it means that you were able to walk away from the puppies when you visited, without getting one. It sounds like you want a puppy. What is really holding you back? (you do not have to answer that question in public). There is no question about whether you and Clark have the knowledge and skills to do it. "I want to" is one of your assertive rights. You don't have to explain it and no one has to understand or agree with it. I will watch with interest to see what you decide.

[Adina P]

The walking away without a puppy had to do with:
A) Pups too young (5 weeks)
B) I am one resolute chick Seriously. I had made up my mind that this was NOT the litter for us (due to timing). And I don't get emotionally swayed that easily by a cute face.
C) They were too young to really see temperament and the only thing I had to go on was coat and color.
D) I have a hard time making huge decisions.  The status quo has a strong hold on me and I do not make decisions on a whim.
E) Fear I'd be in over my head.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Then maybe you're just not quite ready. We thought long and hard before we got Guinness because it had been so many years since we had a puppy, and we knew it would really change our lives. I can't tell you how many times I listed the pros and cons. I asked everyone's opinion...most thought we were nuts. Then one day it just felt like the right thing for us. I still had a few nagging doubts way in the back of my mind, but I just knew it was what I wanted - it was right. I knew then how I would "manage around" the "cons" Once I hit that point, I was a lunatic trying to find my puppy - one look at Guinness's picture and I was in love. When I met him, there was absolutely no doubt. The interesting thing is that I've never regretted the decision for a minute. Being "ready" was key for me....I can't explain it - it just "happened".

[Amanda and Quinn]

I totally agree with this. I knew I wanted a dog for a long time, but for years the timing didn't feel perfect. I'm the kind of person who has to be SURE before I do something, and if I'm really waffling, I don't do it. In the end, I was glad I waited. There came a time when I knew in my heart that it was the right time, and there was some anxiety (like there is with any large venture), but no real doubt.

But I have no doubt that you and Clark will be perfect puppy parents whenever you decide to do it, of course.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Adina, I don't know you personally, but your advice is always well thought out and it always sounds like you are a great dog trainer. If we all waited for the right time, most of us would never make a move. We got a puppy in the midst of planning my daughter's wedding and that puppy kept me sane. I can remember my sister saying she knew we would get another dog, but she just questioned the timing. Like you, I made the mistake of searching and fell in love with one breeder and one dog. I couldn't stop myself from looking and I have not regretted my decision once.

It seems to me you have given more thought to a second puppy than most people do, your husband is supportive, and you understand what needs to be done to raise a healthy and happy dog. I found the second so much easier than the first. It seemed like Vern saved all of his puppy nipping for Fudge and they really like each other.

Will it be chaotic and crazy for awhile....absolutely, but who wants to live a quiet existence anyways?? My children are grown and raised and my husband and I were free to come and go as we pleased and we went out and got TWO dogs. We had many years of sleeping through the night and then started over with pups. Does this seem crazy...maybe a little, but everything fell into place and I love having two dogs. You are already used to getting up at night and having a baby schedule, so it seems like a good time to me. In the end, you must make the decision, but I think in re-reading your post you already have. Good luck!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I don't have human kids, so you can take my "advice" for what it's worth.
For what it's worth, DH and I have already had this conversation (pre-kids). We know we will want another doodle and we will want one BEFORE Peri is 4 or 5. Just for the reasons you stated. At this point, I think it is a rather safe bet that we will want to expand our family with a human baby in the next few years. That being said, I don't think we will do the puppy thing again, especially with a toddler around. We are planning to apply with the DRC and hope for a good match. That is just my opinion, get a slightly older, HOUSEtrained "puppy" or even "young adult" that is out of the 8-16 week puppy stage.
That being said, I don't think you are crazy and I am SURE you could handle the puppy. Now would it be stressful??...most definitely! But, the addition will be stressful at ANY time you add him/her to your family.

[Adina P]

Regarding the chocolate/black thing and 'settling' -- yes I would prefer a chocolate or black. But I also preferred a cream when I got Rosco the big red doodle. I joked with the breeder that "maybe it's meant to be that no matter what color/gender I want I always end up with a big red male!" Because there was a gorgeous red male. And a petite light apricot female. And a beautiful red female. But what doodle litter doesn't have many cute pups?

But F1 puppies are bred few and far between these days. The breeder isn't 100% sure when and with whom she'll re-breed her lab...just that it will be next year, probably later than she had originally planned. Last litter there were only 2 blacks. Next litter there might be more, less, none, wrong gender, wrong coat type...there is just no guarantee. While most people are in the market for a low shedding light colored doodle... I want a low coat maintenance, dark doodle. May not be in the cards.

I won't post photos until after we've decided. I don't want anyone trying to convince me based on how cute they are :-O

...all puppies are cute.

[Zoe, Benny and Tyler]

i read big red male and I was sold even without photos lol.....

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

RED...................nuff said