ARE YOU "EASIER" WITH YOUR SECOND DOODLE?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When we first got Guinness we decided we would not allow him up on the furniture...except the bed at night for our "cuddle time". A couple of times he tried to jump on the couch, and I told him "no". I really don't think he could have actually gotten up there anyway. It became a "non issue" after that...he just didn't try anymore.

I had bought a couple of Easter stuffed animals for the grand kids, and they were sitting on the daybed in our den. Last night, Murphy was prancing around with the bow that was around the neck of the duck with Guinness chasing him trying to get it. I went upstairs, and sure enough the duck way laying on the floor. I figured Guinness had been able to reach it from the side. I put it back and pushed it way to the back this time. This morning...same thing. Murphy was running around with that bow. I took it away from him and he ran back upstairs, so I followed. Sure enough he went into the den, and jumped right up onto the couch. This time he laid down with the two stuffed animals between him and taunted his brother, who still wouldn't even try to get up on the couch. They didn't see that I was watching. I actually thought the whole scene was hysterical. It didn't bother me in the least.

After a few minutes though I thought I should probably tell him "no" and get him down (and hide the bunny and duck). Anyway, I realized how much more relaxed I am this time around. I probably will still discourage them from getting on the furniture. I just don't want to deal with them coming in wet and dirty and hopping up on the white sofa. I think it's a lot like when I had my second daughter. I know in retrospect I was easier on her than my oldest (and they remind me of this regularly). Anybody else feel this way? Is it a "second child" thing?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Guinness, tell your mom that it is absolutely not fair for Murphy to be allowed on the furniture if you're not! You were there first! Learn how to say "You never let me do that when I was his age!" in a whiny doodle voice!
I know exactly how you feel, Guinness! I, too, am the eldest child! I, too, watched as my younger siblings were just given things that I had to earn! I, too, saw the rules I had to follow bent for these interlopers! (And, Mom, if you happen to have a computer up there in Heaven and can read this, I am still really ticked by the fact that they had later curfews that I did!)
Guinness, you just bide your time, buddy. Revenge will be yours soon! Murphy is going to have much bigger paws than you do, and big paws=lots more mud & filth! When Mom sees what those paws do to her white sofa, Murphy's days of jumping onto the furniture will be over! Bwahaha!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I am definitely easier with my second dog....even though Taquito is not a dood! Taquito was always an easy puppy though - he is "perfect" according to the rest of my family.
But we are pretty easy on Peri. I think most of it has to do with her looks - one doodle look from her and we pretty much melt. I don't get that same feeling from T. He is cute, but that doodle look keeps me totally hooked.

[Phoebe's Mom]

We don't have a second dog--yet--but I certainly know this is true of me wih my children as my firstborn points out almost daily. It drives him crazy that he is the 'trailblazer' and that everything is so much harder/I am so much more strict with him than with his siblings. I am positive that once we get another dog--after my husband finds another job!!!-Phoebe will share the same complaints!