Double Doodling Anxiety...normal?

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

We are now at the point of having made the decision to add a rescue doodle to our family and I just can't believe the anxiety I am having. Hubby has none...kids all on board but I am nervous. So glad I have this group to go to. I have read through many of the other posts and now feel at least 50% better. Shooting for 100%. I'll keep reading. My biggest concern is of course how Bay will take to this new dog, and the one we are hoping for is a 2 year old male. Bay will be 2 in May. Should I be going for a dog younger than her? They will be about the same size, the make is taller but weight about the same. Bay has free roam of house. This boy is used to a crate. Is it "fair" to crate one and leave the other one out? Bay wouldnt care if I put her in her crate because she loves it anyway. Maybe we will keep them both crated at night and when we are out to relieve some of my anxiety. Sounds silly but I also try to picture drying off two soaking wet doodles in the house. I wish i had a breezeway or attached garage but my entrances take you right into kitchen and living room. Oh, the mess. Thanks for any input to ease my mind.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'm not going to be the one trying to talk you into doing this, but I will share my experiences with you.  My guess is you are having all of the anxiety because you are the one doing all the work or will be doing all the work.  4 extra paws to create muddy messes all over the house etc.  Going back to using a crate and possibly having potty accidents.  From a nice peaceful environment to once again some chaos.  Now is the time obviously to decide if this isn't really what you want.  I know that when we were fostering before DH retired, it was exhausting.  He thought it was wonderful.  He thought 3 doodles would be no big deal.  However, I was the one here keeping the peace and cleaning up all the messes all day long.  Right now we have a 5.5 year old and an 8 month old puppy.  The puppy gets crated when they are eating and overnight.  The older dog is never crated.  When we leave during the day we can leave them both out in their puppy room uncrated together.  When the puppy first came home Lucy hated her.  Once she got a little bigger she started playing with her.  Now they are good friends as long as AnnaBelle is doing what Lucy thinks she should do.  When we had Lucy and Sophie (Liter mates) and we brought fosters in Lucy hated them.  Most were here 3 weeks and Lucy tolerated them on occasion but growled at them most of the time.  You could tell Sophie wanted to play but she took her cue from Lucy's growling and was very cautious.  After we lost Sophie and Honey came to stay with us for two months Lucy seemed to really like her.  Hard to tell if it had something to do with Lucy and Sophie being liter mates and not wanting a third around or not. Or possibly there are just going to be dogs they like and dogs they don't.  The ideal situation when you already have a doodle is being able to foster to adopt.  That way you get an opportunity to know if it is going to work or not. 

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

That is a very good point...to foster before we commit because when I commit to anything, especially a furever friend, im in it for the long haul. I will see if this is an option. It is very important to me that it is the right decision for all humans and pets in the house! We plan to meet up this weekend so that will the first thing. My DH took a short video and I can tell he is a sweetheart!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Adding a dog is a 15 year commitment. It's a serious consideration and I would hope you do have some anxiety.
Truly, I would wait until you have more details. You'll know more how it all plays out once you know the dog.
How old are your kids?

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

My "kids" are basically all adults now, 24, 20 and 17. Almost empty nesters. I can join that group next, lol

[Heather]

I totally had anxiety when we were adding our second Goldendoodle. Ellie had just turned "2" and Oliver was 10 months when we got him. He was also being crated and Ellie was not. We prepared the crate for him, but Never used it. We left him out with Ellie for short periods of time while we ran errands. He was close to perfect. He tore open a present I had wrapped and ripped a napkin that was left out, but that was it. We never made a big deal about it, and he is now 19 months and we couldn't imagine life without him. As far as the messy paws, not a big deal. You will see after a couple of months he will fall right into your routine. Oliver took his clues from Ellie. There is an extra Grooming, food and vet expense, but the biggest expense for us was a bigger vehicle!!! LOL.... Don't worry or lose sleep, take it day by day. I attached a photo of how inseparable they are~ Good Luck~

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

OMD that pic is precious. Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. After just a few reads, I am at 98%! I think the other 2 will come this weekend!! What beautiful doods :).

[Heather]

Thank You!!! Happy for You!!! :)

[sarah c gammel]

omg that pic is precious. lucky you.

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

Well a big heap of the anxiety has been lifted as hubby just went to meet this wonderful boy and he is in love. I saw some video and from what I can tell, I will be in love as well. He is a sweetheart so now we see how the two get along. I think they will do very well. As for all the other stuff, this wont be the first time we've had 2 dogs at once, its just been a while. Like riding a bike, right? Thanks so much for all the input. I really appreciate it.

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

We recently added to our home a 2nd doodle. I was a bit nervous but when we met Rosie we KNEW she belonged to our family. Our older doddle, Bruno, has been great. He put her in her place for the first few days and there has been peace. She has only been here 3 months and we cannot imagine our home without her. Good luck.

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

That makes me feel so good! They say that about cildren, too right? When i had my first, it was tough to imagine spreading the love but nothing comes more natural, right? I am so looking forward to this boy coming. Still have some adoption hurdles but keeping fingers crossed he picks us :)

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

And oh my...inlove love love your profile pic. Both of you...gorgeous :)