Thinking of adding another dog & getting Stew a buddy!

[Jess & Stewart]

I know Stew has been a challenge but I've got puppy fever & Stew was a pretty great puppy. I'm not sure I'd want to use Stew's breeder again, only because she's breeding a lot of reds lately & I don't think I'd want another red.

I'd definitely want another wavy/straight coat mini GD. Probably a female. I'm willing to be on lists for a bit also, maybe even get one this summer/next fall again. Any recommendations for breeders in the Philly/PA/NJ area? I can also look in MD/DE/VA.

Name suggestions while we're at it. I can't think of anything to go with Stew/Stewby Doo/Stew Man Chew?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Jess, how about babysitting or fostering for a week and see how that goes with two for you and your lifestyle.  How Stew will react and see how he is with a long-term visitor vs just an hour of play time.  

One is one, and two is ten.  Seriously, the work goes up about 4 times, not doubled.

Of course, dont let me be your mother--you have one, right  :) 

Just recommending you check it out before you leap.

Kiss Stew for me.   

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Great advice, Joanne. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I double the " great advice" statement!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jess, breeder recommendations are not permitted in the open forums here. People can PM you if you accept a friend request. 

I'd think long and hard about getting another puppy right now. Twice the time, twice the expense. With winter coming, I think that putting it off until next summer is a good idea. But that doesn't mean you can't research breeders. The best ones do have waiting lists. 

[Jess & Stewart]

I knew I was forgetting something-to say to PM me! Yeah, I know the wait lists can be long. I know from waiting for Stew that it's not too early to start looking.

Joanne- I actually have dog sat for my aunt & my sister when she lived in NJ. Bella, a pug was with Stew & I for a weekend and they were great together. Stew was good in the crate when Bella was out with me & vice versa which I thought would be the biggest issue. They were fine during eating separately, both slept together on my floor and played great. Shay, a beagle/boxer mix has been around Stew numerous times, the longest was a week. They are really great together and I'd take Shay off my mom's hands but she's leash reactive, it was hard to walk them in the city & made me nervous. They were better once I got them back to NJ and they walked around a neighborhood. They've even been boarded together & slept in the same "suite".

I think he'd do great when/if I get another in a year's time. He'd be almost two and I'm betting more settled & obedient than he is now. The only issue I can foresee is middle of the night potty runs & leaving Stew inside. But hopefully he's even better with time.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, I agree with Karen, winter is probably not the best time to be getting a new dog.  Fostering would be great for both of you and since you are in no hurry, fostering is always a great idea before you leap into another dog.  I personally think that two years is a good span between dogs because they need their puppyhood before becoming a member of your pack.  But, I also think that three to five years is the proper age difference for children so they can get their childhood before another baby comes into their "pack".  Puppyhood and babyhood are important times.

[Jess & Stewart]

I wouldn't be able to get a puppy until sometime next year anyway as any breeder I'd be looking at already have lists and litters reserved. I just want recommendations for the future, as early as next spring but probably later. Stew's mother will have another litter ready to go end of October/start of November next year, if I end up wanting another red mini, I could possibly get on that list.

I don't have resources to foster as I don't own a car. Whenever a litter could work out, I'd like to start with another puppy.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Jess, we all get puppy fever :)  I really admire the challenges you've overcome with Stew and you've done a wonderful job.I have no doubt that you and Stew are in it together, forever :)  But Joanne's got it right. Two is ten. More important, we remember the challenges you have had with neighbors and being in an apartment.  I hate to be a wet blanket but color me "wet." I think you should think long and hard about adding a second doodle until you have your own place where you know your two dogs will never be evicted at the whim of a landlord because of barking or a cranky neighbor.  Finding another apartment with one dog is hard, but two?  And how would you ever choose if you were told to get rid of one?   I just want the best for you and Stew.

[BG and Gavin]

The apartment issue was the first thing that popped into my mind too as a potential barrier. I would be super nervous about adding to the pack because I understand that two dogs will feed off of each other with barking. Perhaps the two doodle owners can chime in on this issue.

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

We have 3 dogs and rent. Finding a place has been challenging but it is possible. We had 2 dogs while living in the Philly area, we actually had a lot of luck with rentals in that area. We lived in Lower Bucks County and in Montgomery County. 

As far as multiple dogs, I would wait until Stew is at least 1 years old, if not closer to 2. Training as you know can be tedious and you don't want to fall short continuing Stew's training when starting with puppy basics. Once Stew is more established and older dog can be a great asset when teaching a new pup the ropes. It will be easier on your sanity too! 

Owning multiple dogs is awesome. We love our 3 and I wouldn't change the great dynamic the three of them have. However, it is costly and a huge time commitment. Every day, rain or shine out we go. When there are more than one pent up dog, two of which at 70+ lbs doodles extensive exercise is a must as they feed off of each others energy.

I wish you & Stew the best in the decision. :) 

[Jess & Stewart]

My current lease is up in a few months. I definitely won't be in this apartment by the time I get another dog. Ironically, Stew was most calm in the crate & my mom's house when there was another dog around. I'm looking into apartments that at least have separate entrances and yards. I've been scouting a few within the same real estate company, hopefully they have something open when I'd be looking. I'll be done my masters by May so I'm hoping to have gotten a better job by then and be able to afford a bigger/nicer place.


Emily- Stew is 1 and by late summer/early Fall of next year he'll be close to 2 or over 2 years :)
Getting another doodle is definitely at least a year away and not a completely solid thing. Just asking for PM recommendations if I don't use the same breeder & some fun thinking of names :)

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

Awesome! I couldn't remember how old Stew was. :) 

We love our multiple dog household. We love our doodle boys and wouldn't have it any other way.