Possible doodle addition??

[Taylor and Boo]

Can anyone give me some insight into how adding a second doodle into their home affected the first doodle?

I have a one year old girl who has a ton of energy. I can play with her all day, but she still goes and goes and goes until its time to go to bed. Boo gets along great with other dogs and I notice a definite difference in her energy when she gets to play with dogs for a few hours versus solely playing with me. Lately I've been wondering if adding a second dog would be beneficial for her. If anyone could give me any advice or share their experience that would be great!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Generally speaking, it seems beneficial for your dog have another energetic dog to play with, but..... 

Things to consider:

If you take your dog lots places, sometimes taking two is too much and unwelcome.  If your dog stays home while you go places, she would have a companion.

Some dogs really are happier being the only dogs in their own home; some love being part of a pack; some are very selective on who they want in their pack and some aren't.  What is your girl really like?

You need to factor in whether you really want another dog - it is double the cost and double the work, double the training, double your time.

Would finding a doggy day care several days a week be easier, cheaper, and do the trick?

[Stacy]

I've always heard not to get a dog for your dog. Get one if you want one, but not as a playmate for your dog. My girls get along great together. They sit on the couch together, they sleep in the bed together. No fights, no nastiness. But they don't play with one another. They both look to me to play with them. They both seem more interested in the "new" dogs at the dog park than they do with one another.

I think Nancy hit the nail on the head. Two is definitely twice as much work. Twice as much poop to pick up, twice as many vet visits, twice as much food. I wanted to take the girls camping this summer but I realized that I just couldn't manage both of them and all the camping stuff on my own. I could take either one of them, but which one would I tell they had to stay home? So we all stayed home and went to the park a lot. I know some people can handle two on leash with no trouble, but it's not a skill we've managed. So they mostly take turns going places except the park. 

That said, I love having two. It's twice the snuggles, twice the love, twice the fun. But I definitely did it because I couldn't live without Ava. I'm pretty sure Katie was just as happy without her. But I don't regret the second dog for one second.