Considering a second Labradoodle. Is it too soon?

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

I am in need of some advice from this wise group.  I have a 8 month old female Labradoodle who I think needs a play buddy.  I am retired and can spend time with the pups.  I am thinking that if I got a puppy now, it would be pretty well trained by winter.  My husband works from home and can help (a little). Some folks have said to wait until she is 1 or 1 1/2 yrs old  before getting the 2nd one.  Any advice from those of you who have gotten a puppy when you have a puppy would be appreciated.  Thanks

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Sue, this sounds exactly like our story except for the names! I totally agree about it being a great idea for doodle #1 to have a playmate. In our case, Zeke was 7months and Lily was too when we added her to the family. They loved each other from the start. But, we just recently added Jasper who is 5 months, the other 2 are 2 1/2 years, Zeke is not too crazy about him yet but Lily is delighted to have a new playmate. I think Zeke will come around in time.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I added our Vern, when Fudge was 15 months old. I think whenever you feel ready, is when you should add the second dog. I love having two dogs and I was nervous because I have never had two before. It has been a wonderful decision. Good luck!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Well, I got 2 puppies at once and I'm alive to talk about it! So, I would say if you have the time, the energy, the finances etc. to invest in a second puppy then the timing really doesn't matter. There are people that have done it every way imaginable and they have all turned out ok. I notice that you say hubby works from home and can help (a little). As the main caregiver for our girls (because Hubby goes to work everyday), I can tell you that it is a lot of work (all worth it in my opinion), but nonetheless, a lot of work. There is double everything. (baths, grooming, vet bills, footprints on the floor when the weather is bad, poo to scoop, feeding, watering, walking, going out to potty etc). It doubles pretty much everything. So, if you are a young retiree with lots of energy I'd say go for it.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Also exercise! My dogs need to have outings every other day and it gives me the excuse I need to get out of the house. I might not do it for myself, but the dogs really love to go for a walk, beach, or dog park. My husband rides his bikes several times a week and I have started taking them for outings while he rides his mountain bike. That way, we all get the exercise we want and need.

[Zoe, Benny and Tyler]

My personal opinion is to wait until your older puppy is passed the teenage years. During puberty they can become really exhausting and forget about all the training they have had so far. So that would really mean double work on training. But as you are at home anyways it could work well. If you think that you can manage just do it :)

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Why wait?? You know what life with a doodle is - won't be too many surprises. Double the expenses and double the love. You don't have to get another puppy - you could adopt a young doodle - be past the nipping stage, longer attention span to train
I attached a link for Max - he is Spokane - a year old Black gorgeous doodle, up-to-date with routine shots, house trained, knows sit, down & shake and is neutered. The major expenses for a new pup are already done for you.
He listing says he is not good with cats or small animals. Not sure what that means - I would consider my girls are not good with cats because they have never been introduced other than through their cage-hotel at a dog food store where the owners bring them to work.
Just an idea. No pressure but another choice for you.

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16758845

[Bev]

I have three labradoodles - ages 5, 3, and 2. They learn from the oldest and never do any damage. They are small, medium and large in size. Go for another doodle as soon as your female is fully trained. Have fun : )

[Sally loves Maple & Lucky]

Lucky joined our family when Maple was10 months old and it worked out perfectly. Lucky was 4 months old when we found her so a little older and able to keep up her end at play time.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Rosey was 7 months old when we got Bandit, it was the best decision ever. They have the same puppy energy to play, although Rosey has endless energy which is why I needed another one to tire her out. The are best of buds. Originally I was going to get another girl but our trainer told me the most successful multi dog relationships w/o any fighting were Boy-Girl, Boy-Boy, then Girl-Girl. So we went with a boy. However, doodles are so sweet I don't think they would ever fight. The only thing bad is the crazed looks I get when we meet people and I tell them they are both puppies!!!

[Sally loves Maple & Lucky]

We have two girls and I believe, hope and pray that if you start them together in the first year they will be like sisters, not foes. Years ago, we had a Shepard mix female and a bearded collie male paired for several years (female Shepard mix was the Alpha). Then my son brought home an older abandoned female Kelpie. Happy times for about 6 months then Kelpie fought for the top dog position to the point where our home was physically divided until I could find the perfect home to give her to. Those were older rescued females with lots of tradition and plenty of baggage. I'm hoping my theory of two girls starting out together as puppies will overpower any aggressive behavior. Maple is the Alpha dog and we make she gets everything first to help them keep the placement they originally started on the first day when Lucky laid down at Maples paws when the met. They are inseparable now with no jealousy.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Jeanne - I am just curious about what you decided. Are you getting your doodle a buddy?

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

Still in the process. We have looked at a puppy but it shed and my husband was allergic. We went to see a rescue but it was very big and strong and had no training and didn't like other dogs :-( I go back and forth between wanting to rescue a dog and wanting a puppy. I guess I'll keep looking. Thanks for asking. I also came across a guy who wanted me to keep his dood for 5-6 weeks at a time while he traveled for work but this poor dog is a rescue and has had 3 plus homes in 6 months and I thought it would be too confusing for the dog. I may try to get him to let me adopt him...we'll see.