Life with two Doodles

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I can't believe that Boris will be four months old this week, time literally flies by.  I just wanted to write down what life is like and how it has changed since we became a two doodle family.  Before Boris came home I couldn't quite get my head around loving a second dog as much as I love Riley so I just sat back and let it happen.  I took a wait and see approach.  I didn't know if I had picked the 'right' puppy from the litter and all my scientific thoughts on choosing went out the door as I picked a puppy I liked the look of who was underneath a more dominant one when playing.  I just crossed fingers and toes and hoped for the best!.

Boris is laid back and the calmer of the two even though he is so much younger.  He doesn't chew anything except his antlers and toys.  He is also extremely easy to train.  Understands Sit,Down,Wait and touch perfectly and is doing really well on leash though that's probably because he loves his brother and walks beside him.  I work with both of them in small snatches throughout each day.  I love the NILIF principal and find that this works really well with both of them.

I can honestly say that two dogs are definitely easier than one.  They are either playing all day or sleeping. Boris has learned all the good stuff from Riley and is pretty much house trained (no accidents for the past ten days).  I don't even go out with them.  I stand at the door and call 'anyone need to do a wee wee' and they both come running.  Riley goes with Boris and waits for him and they both trot back inside and sit on the mat while I dry their paws and give them each a treat. Boris is not as in love with his crate as Riley is and I put that down to the breeder not using one before I got him as in Riley's case.  We don't crate Boris at night and he sleeps in our room with Riley on the floor.  They both are allowed on the bed for cuddles in the morning. Boris has to be lifted up as he can't jump up (yet).  Riley's cuddles consist of him lying on top of me with his paws around my neck while Boris snuggles between us with his face beside either me or my partner.  They both go to Day Care at least once a week and we walk every day though Riley gets a second one with some free running time to get rid of some of his endless energy.  Boris is more laid back generally and it is Riley who gets them both into trouble on the hunt for socks or newspaper.

The weather here is truly awful, hence not many photographs as when I venture out it means gloves, hats, scarves, poop bags etc etc and no hands free for a camera.  I will definitely have to take some soon as Boris is looking so gorgeous right now.  I gave him a shower the other day and he was fine about it.  I am grooming him on the floor as there is no way I will be able to lift him when he reaches his predicted weight which I estimate will be 70+lbs easily.  He didn't like it at first but loves treats so much that he now behaves beautifully while I comb him and brush his teeth.

The house is calm right now as the two boys are asleep but they always wake and play like crazy that it sometimes resembles a war zone and If I didn't know the difference between play and fight I might be concerned at times.  Too much and they go to their crates for five minutes time out which always works.

All in all so far so good...the boys love each other and we love both of them. The only thing that has taken a dive is my bank balance but I'm happy to spend the money on good food and all the right preventatives and of course Pet Insurance. 

I'm hoping that 2013 will be a good year for all of us here on DK and want to wish all of you who have become such dear and wonderful friends a really Happy New Year.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I am so glad to read this!  I am also proud of you for waiting for the RIGHT one to come your way.  I know you had to make some not so easy decisions on the path to Boris.   It sounds like Boris is awesome (as Riley was)!  You are a lucky doodle mom!  I agree that having two doodles is awesome!  Enjoy them and post some pictures!  I can't wait to see them together!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I love to hear about Boris and Riley!!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Nicky, I am too wishing you a wonderful New Year with your adorable boys. Time passes so quickly and that new puppy stage leaves so fast.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you so much for posting this update.  You give those with wilder pups hope.  Boris sounds like the perfect puppy we all hope for  in our catalog wish. Part of this is him but, pat yourself on the back, lots of it is you.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I'm so glad it's working well for you, Nicky. Boris is such a cute puppy. We definitely need to see more of him. I can't believe he is already 4 months old.

If I had to write a blog about the "Life with two Doodles", it would sound a bit different. In our house, two is not easier, unfortunately. Our backyard looks as if a herd of buffaloes ran through it. Nothing is safe from Auggie's teeth: trees, bushes, grass, sprinkler heads, and the newly discovered air conditioning unit tubes today. Yes, the boys play together a lot, but Monty sometimes has to run for cover to his mama. I feel like I'm slacking on Auggie's training as well. We do go to class on the weekends, but during the week I just don't know how to work on his skills without Monty getting in the middle of everything. Auggie is very calm when away from Monty, but I feel like I don't have the same bond with him like I do with Monty. Monty is very attached to me, while Auggie has Monty as the center of his universe.

They are sure cute together and it's interesting to see how different two dogs can be. I was hoping to get a Monty's clone, instead, I got a very normal puppy, as my DH puts it.

Happy New Year to all!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Glad to hear that things are going well.  We have been a two dog family for quite a while now and wouldn't have it any other way.  We have had two dogs since our first doodle came to be a companion to a poodle who had lost his life companion.  They are lost without their companion.  Enjoy your boys in 2013.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Nicky, I am so glad everything worked out so well for you! I remember the anxiety of finding the right one and I felt it with you as I was heading down the same path! Our Jilly joined us a couple of weeks ago, she just turned 5 months. We had a deposit down on a pup from Jack's parents last litter together which would come home in the Spring, but the breeder had a little chocolate girl she was going to breed, decided to keep females from a couple of retiring moms instead and so we went to meet this little girl. Jackson and she hit it off so well, we knew it was right! She too is calmer than Jack and no chewing except on toys. I agree with everything you said! Two are much easier for us too! Continued good wishes!!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I kind of wish I hadn't read this!!  Just yesterday, as we were playing catch with the squeaky ball for the umpteenth time, I was thinking a second doodle might be kind of nice - someone else to love and to occupy some of Sedona's attention.  So, when I saw your "Live with Two Doodles" I was hoping to see how much extra work, time, and energy Boris has necessitated - but NO, you had to talk about all the good things of a two doodle home!!! LOL  

Glad you're all doing so well!!

[Pat and Traveler]

Great to hear things are going so well with the boys.  Happy New Year to all of you!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I had to laugh reading this - I'm so glad that Boris is doing so well and yes - the secret is out - two are easier than one!  Happy New Year Nicky!