Back and Good to Go, (Doodle-wise, that is!)

[J Wilson]

Good news, fellow doodlers! I am now a new parent to two nutty Labradoodles, named Elouise and Dudley (Lou and Duds for short). Yup, life is looking up. I still miss my late doodle, Beasley  but these two are keeping me busy. Life with a puppy is all coming back to me now and double the trouble this time too! Originally, I had planned to get one smaller doodle type but emotions got the better of me and here we are, sibling syndrome or not!

Thought I'd address the issue of sibling syndrome, a problem encountered by many who adopt two from the same litter. I've read a lot about this issue and was prepared for problems described by others but so far, I have yet to see any of them! These guys are now almost 5 months old and things have been going well. Began to try and avoid the pitfalls right from the get-go, so I'd like to mention a few of the concerns I've read about here in case fellow doodle lovers are considering trying the same...

First, some experts say siblings will eventually fight, resulting in heartbreaking decision to re-home one of them. Mine do bicker over toys from time to time. However, this appears no different than life at any dog park. Sometimes, I see quiet growling over sleeping quarters. Dudley prefers to have "his space" and Lou, adoring her brother, is encouraged to respect this fact! She moves and there no problems. There is no food aggression. Early on, I stood over them to maintain distance. Now, they both eat side by side, with no interruptions and no stealing!

Then, there is the concern about siblings being more interested in each other than the owner, making them hard to train. From the first day, I began to walk them separately. Two walks, twice a day, might seem like a lot of work but in reality young puppies can't go very far and I'm now retired. I have the time! It was only 6 weeks in, that I began to walk them together. I don't find it challenging at all. The only issue is keeping each on his/her respective side in order to avoid tripping over them! We're still working on that because eventually I will be using the "hip walker" which ties them to my waist on a splitter and two leashes. However, I try to keep both at heel on a short 4ft leash. No retractibles for us, no sir.

They come when called, initiated using the "treat principle" (which is something I vowed never to do again after Beasley but let's face it, if it works, it works!)They both sit on command, whether together or apart, and we are working on "stay". 

As far as socializing with other dogs, some have found that siblings will only play with each other and not other dogs when confronted with a pack. Not my two! They jump into the fray with abandon and are just as interested in making new friends as single dogs would be! I have had several dogs over for a visit and now that they are fully innoculated, they can go to the dog park, our next adventure....

So, all in all, so far, the experience is positive with very few of the issues I was warned to watch. I'd be interested, however, to know what other doodle lovers have found with siblings? Anyone like to comment? Happy to be part of the doodle crowd once again, I am yours, now retired

jen w., Ontario, Canada

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Welcome back! Congratulations on the new cuties!

[J Wilson]

Thanks all! Here's hoping I avoid the issues that are so pointedly made online! I guess I can get it, considering the way human siblings, namely twins, would interact, but I have also read numerous accounts of people who have sibling puppies with no problems. Still on guard, though. We'll see...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Congrats on getting your new doodles.  It sounds like they are doing well.  Cute name choices for two cute pups.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Jen ~ glad to see you back with Lou and Duds. Sounds like you are doing a terrific job giving them the attention they need one on one and you are so smart to watch for the sibling syndrome.  Looking forward to watching these two siblings mature - they are so darn cute!