Second doodle nerves!!!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

As most of you know, we are getting our second doodle in about 5 weeks and the nervousness is starting to set in!!!

I have been "working" on DH for a year now to say yes to #2 and now that the time has come I am really starting to get nervous.  I have never owned 2 dogs before so I am really starting to think about the following...

What if he doesn't like to go for car rides? Bailey loves to go!

What if he doesn't like to go to the beach? Bailey does!

What if he doesn't do well in crowds ie. festivals, craft shows etc. Bailey does!

What if he is doesn't like other dogs? Bailey does!

Is it possible to love another doodle as much as I love Bailey?  I am the mother of an only child so I have never had to "spread the love" LOL

I have a wonderful trainer that I have been taking Bailey to since she was about 6 months old, so the training part is not a problem. 

These are just some of the things I think about while trying to sleep at night LOL....

I have a wonderful trainer that I have been taking Bailey to since she was about 6 months old, so the training part is not a problem. 

From all you "two doodle families", Is this normal or am I just nuts? LOL

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Elizabeth, You are NUTS! Ok, that said, yes, this is all perfectly normal. I think you will find Bailey will help you "train" the little guy more than you know and since she is well trained, I bet it goes very smoothly. Vern finds a lot of reassurance from Fudge and takes many of his cues from her. If she is ok with new people, he usually is too....and so on. The puppy biting stage was a piece of cake with Vern, because he bit Fudge and we were happy to let her take one for the team :) LOL As for car rides, craft shows, dogs...I think it will all work out, especially since Bailey likes all those things. I can emphatically say you can love this Doodle as much as Bailey. You will see so many new sides to Bailey with the addition of your puppy that you will only love her even more. You are also going to find that no two Doodles are alike and this little puppy is going to have his own personality and things that make him special and soon he is gonna steal your heart :) You will do great!!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

What a great response, Laurie, makes me want to get another!  not yet though, sigh! 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Lori! Nothing wrong with one either :) I really think Fudge could have been happy either way, but Vern needs another dog around.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't think you are nuts, a lot of this is why I've never had more than one dog at a time, fosters not included. 

It may be significant that I also have an only child. :) 

However, from what I see here on DK with all the multiple doodle owners, I have a feeling you're going to be just fine. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Karen, I should have clarified the "nuts" remark :) It has nothing to do with Elizabeth getting another dog. LOL

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Oh, so it's just me ?  LOL

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Of course....LOL!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Perfectly normal. I had Luca, my very first puppy and he was just becoming a human being : ) when I decided to get another dog. Especially since my family, none of whom had to deal with anything, thought I was crazy to do it, I was so worried. I didn't even tell them and then had some of them for a dinner and surprise. Having two dogs is infinitely easier than the sibling rivalry with two kids. Aside from playing ball, Calla is happy to do all Luca does. They do exercise each other . It will be fine.

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Bailey is so laid back I know she will be fine and show the "little guy" the ropes...

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

You are normal, I was so worried before I got Boris. I couldn't see how I would love another one like I loved Riley and I worried about all the things you are worried about now. Riley was car sick for the first year, Boris no problem. Boris follows his brother and it was much easier than I thought it would be. It did take a few weeks to truly bond with Boris unlike with Riley which was love at first sight. Don't worry about a thing...it will all be fine. You will love them both, love grows it doesn't shrink :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good last sentence. And Calla was much easier too but she was 4 months old when I got her.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Elizabeth, I too had these fears and I too have one child and never had to spread the love. Lol In my case my DH and daughter were urging me to agree to get another. I was particularly worried about upsetting Jack's world, but on the other hand I knew he would love a companion. He is also very attached to me and I worried how that would play out with a second. Well Jilly has chosen me as her person too and the two of them happily follow me everywhere. I too wondered if I could love another as much and I can't tell you how this little girl has my heart, no worries there! It really couldn't have worked out better. The first year was consuming because I did all the classes with Jilly to get her to CGC and continued some fun classes with Jack so he wouldn't feel left out. I am always sure to treat them equally. If Jack flops down for a belly rub, I make sure to give Jilly loving too. If Jilly runs over with kisses, I then give Jack kisses too. Things have a way of falling into place and you have all the knowledge of DK behind you. You will all do great!