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.

[Nelson, Rufus & KO]

He He , I just dried off my soaking wet doodles before I read this. It's worth every load of laundry. They love each other, They keep each other occupied and exercised.

[Nelson, Rufus & KO]

Also attaching photos. They are joined at the hip.

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

Absolutely adorable. (They) look a lot like my Bay and funny enough, what the boy looks like that we are hoping for!

[Nelson, Rufus & KO]

.

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

Are they siblings? They are gorgeous! Nice house, too :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Getting a second dog does change the 'chemistry' of the house.  Getting an adult might or might not take some settling in time.  Our old lab mix and our doodle, Ned, put our then two year old rescue in his place within the first day and that place hasn't changed in the three years we have had Clancy.  Clancy and our Springer Spaniel was a whole different situation and it took a couple of months before we felt that they might not have an argument when left alone.  Because neither dog was crated, we just blocked off two areas in the house and divided the dogs up (we had 4 at the time). Their disagreements were over us, and certain high value (to them) toys.  We removed those toys and didn't tolerate 'owning' us.  Their arguments were not severe but not fun either.  They settled in and we don't ever have a problem.

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

This is very encouraging. I am not concerned about the new dog. Hubby went to visit and i saw video. He is so gentle and somewhat passive which is good because Bay is quite the spoiled diva!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If one dog is the 'alpha' right away and the other isn't, there won't be any challenges.  Our Springer and Clancy were arguing over the BOTTOM two rungs on the ladder! And, in retrospect, they came out with equal ranking - pack member.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

You are going to have a "he" and a she" .  The best combination in my opinion.  Don't worry too much about fair as it a concept dogs do not understand.  Remember to give Bay even more attention, the rescue is used to very little anyway.  Then over time you can even it out some.  Try to have them meet in a neutral zone - park, playground etc where they are the only dogs.  If possible this should be near enough to your home to walk back.  If rescue doesn't walk to well on a leash this may not work and you can take them home in separate cars.  Cars are often more of a "territory" issue than yards, homes, toys.

Good luck and get a good hold on you patience.  Crating is a good solution for bedtime and downtime for the dogs and for you.  Then crates can gradually phased out if that is what you prefer.

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

I agree with the male/female combo. We've had it before and it did work well. They are going to meet on Sunday but the rescue is 2 hours away so a walk home wouldn't work, lol. If all goes well, he will come to us Dec 7th! I'm getting very excited now that I've seen him and hubby met him. He is a dollface!

[Heather]

Male/Female combo is what my vet recommended! You now Sound Excited!!! Lots of FUN Days and many Laughs in your Future. Can't wait to hear a future update from you Donna. :)

[Heather]

PS- I grew up in Babylon, NY and my Husband is from Sayville. Moved to VA eleven years ago and we never looked back. We Love it!!