Making Dreams a Reality.

[Camilla and Darwin]

As you all know, we have been considering getting a second dog in the near future. I have researched, and I believe I have come to a decision on what we are looking for. A Standard Poodle, preferably apricot, red, or brown. There are three breeders I'm considering... but I can't bring myself to be put on their waiting list.

Darwin is really an easy keeper. He's going through his little rebellious stage, but it is nothing we can't handle. He is very submissive, no behavioral problems... very smart. Basically, we are really comfortable. I know he would love to have a brother or sister to play with. We take him to doggy daycare but we really can't afford it more than once or twice a week. I think he would be happy if he had a companion.

And then there is DH and I. I have always known I wanted two dogs. It seems like the perfect number, and from what I have read here on DK many people wouldn't have it any other way. Darwin seems like he is at a pretty good age to add a pup. I want him to be young enough that he can keep up with a puppy, and at almost a year, I think it's a good age.

Now, the problem is actually taking the leap of commitment. I find it really hard to consider it realistically. I am sure some of you can relate. you toy around with the idea, look at breeders, do your research... but you don't feel like you can ACTUALLY take the leap. What if it doesn't work out? Do you really have time for potty training? Is this really a good idea?

Although my DH has agreed we should get two dogs... I doubt he will reach a point where he will say "Sure, lets take 1500 out of our bank account and go for this!" It seems as though he will continuously agree and humor me... but once I decide to actually go for it... he is going to dig his heels in. Has anyone gone through something similar? Any advice?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Whatever pup you choose WILL NOT be like Darwin. However you WILL LOVE it just as much! This is like the decision to have a second child. You are sure you couldn't love that child as much. It may not be as wonderful as the first. What if....... This stuff just flies away in the wind once you get the child, er, pup. It won't be as wonderful as Darwin in some things and will be even more wonderful in others.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

"I am worried we won't be able to find a dog that fits us as well"
That would solve the problem, then, wouldn't it?
Seriously, I understand that the hesitation is because you have to put down a deposit (commit) before you meet or even see the dog. But you can hopefully talk to the breeder a lot and spend time around the parents, and that is going to give you a very good sense of what the puppy will be like. (At least if you're going with the kind of breeder I think you're going with.) You may be able to also get a feel for the general environment and whether the breeder is someone you trust & can work with. Worse case scenario, if you don't feel right at any point, you lose your deposit. That stinks, but it isn't the end of the world.
And a well-bred puppy with a good temperament will fit you as well...because you will love him and shape him to fit...just like you did Darwin.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I know what you mean about where the worry is coming from. I have thought about it a lot recently. I have a part time job that is super flexible so I'm not worried about not having time. I am not worried about grooming. I worked in a grooming shop for a summer and have my own clippers, so I can do it myself. We don't have kids, and aren't planning on it any time soon. So not worried about that. I'm not worried about DH helping, he is very active in taking care of Darwin. I honestly think what I am most worried about... is not finding another dog as great as Darwin. Does that make sense? He is so perfect for us. His energy level, personality, looks, obedience etc. I am worried we won't be able to find a dog that fits us as well. Maybe that is ridiculous of me to stress about... I don't know.

I think DH is most worried about how much a second dog will cost us. Twice the vet, twice the flea tick and heartworm, twice the food, etc. I'm not extremely worried about that. We don't have a whole lot of financial obligations. no student loans, mortgage, car payments etc. We are completely debt free and both have jobs... nothing really tying us down, etc. But you know how DH's always are. it's all about $$$.

Oh boy. So much to think about.

[shelly]

Lorraine... My DH was the same with getting another dog.. he was all about making sure we ALL knew he was not going to take care of the dog... the boys were - well, he doesn't have primary care of the dog if we are home, when we were choosing, he kept saying, I have nothing to do with choosing the dog.. when I was a t my wits end with Tori's puppy antics, he said... well she needs to be trained (by me and the boys) - this was your idea, ( he didn't want to be responsible for MY bad decisions ) but I too hear him talking sweetly to the dog and he just LOVES when he comes home and she jumps all over him, lets her kiss him ON THE FACE (which he would NEVER do with our golden), and even loves when she wakes him up in the morning for work.. He actually said "Tori needs to do a better job at waking me up in the morning" LOL.... I just laugh to myself -too funny

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Lorraine, That is so funny. My daughter wanted a dog too and ended up getting the cutest ever French Bulldog. Her fiance did not want a dog, but she wore him out. I told him he might as well just give in because she was not going to let it drop EVER. Well, flash forward one year and he posts videos all the time on Facebook and one time was saying "Who's your daddy?" to the dog. Now, HE wants another one.

[Lorraine Bromley]

We went through this before we got Neely. We have a 17 year old lab/shepard x The vet had told us that if we wanted to get anther dog we should think of getting one while we still have Jazzy. He said it helps the puppy be taught by the older dog how to behave and since Jazzy is such a great dog he thought she could help the puppy learn. But the stress on Jazzy was a huge consideration as we did have Jazzy's sister Cinnamen when I got them from the shelter when they were puppies. We kept them together for almost two years but they never really got along when they were around us as they were jealous of each other. We finally decided to find a new home for one of them and Cinnamon was rehomed first. She lives at a farm with 4 boys and is still here too at 17. I threw the idea about a new dog around for a couple of years all the while Brian said we're not getting any more pets. I kept saying I was never going to be with out a pet. When I found all about doodles he came around abit about the fur shedding. But still just maybe's to shut me up. So off we went to look at breeders ONLY no puppies were to be purchased that year. He went with me if convenient only. Still just to LET me. Then we get to Neelys breeder. All of a sudden he''s holding Neely. Saying things like well YOU may as well get this one. We're here now. YOUR gonna get one anyway. Stuff to make it My fault that we were gonna spend all this money on another dog. I called his bluff and said no. I wasn't gonna get a dog thaat we were looking at breeders. I wasn't going to be the ONE to make the decision. So he did say well I think its a good idea and I like this one. So he did make the decision to get NEELY it was my decision to get another dog. Neely is his new baby. He talks to Neely like he used to talk to the boys when they were little. It is so cute. But I wasn't going to take the BLAME for getting a dog incase something went wrong overr the years and I'd always hear. Well you wanted the dog! Now I can say that to him! Funny how the chewed drywall and trim are a no big deal thing now either?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Right now would be the time for me to get another doodle (in my opinion). Peri and T. play, but Taquito is 6 years old and gets annoyed often. He just can't match up to Peri's doodleishous personality and endurance. That being said, I had a dream just last night that I put us on our breeders wait list for a petite doodle due this summer (she really has them due then). I woke up in a cold sweat, panicking. For me, I know it's not the right time. If you second guess yourself at every stop, maybe wait???
But like I said, I think Darwin is perfect age to bring a sibling into the mix.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

(My opinion) I think more than the age difference between them, you need to look at what is holding you back and is DH really on board. Do you HONESTLY have the time and money to bring in another puppy. Is DH totally on board? Is he going to help with all the extra care? You are talking poodle, so you know what your grooming requirements are going to me. Not like with a Doodle where you might get an easy groom, you are going to have to groom a lot. What else is happening in your life that could change and require more of your time (do you have small children that are going to start getting into every sport and activity available, or will you soon have grandchildren that you want to spend gobs of time with, where are you in your careers,). Something is holding you back ..... dig deep and find it and then listen to it. Two doodles are great, and I have now experienced how the puppy can pick up from the older dog, but it won't be a pleasant experience if it isn't what you really really want. And, 2nd puppy won't automatically be a copy of the first. If Darwin was an easy puppy, easy to train, minds well, 2nd puppy might be just the opposite as many on here have experienced as well. Good luck with which ever way you decide to go.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm thinking everyone will have their own opinion on this, often influenced by their personal experience. Right now I really think the spacing between Guinness and Murphy is awesome. I had almost a year to get Guinness trained. All the "tough stuff" is behind me with him. But, Guinness really loves other dogs, and especially loves to play. We were taking him to Daycare just so he could have the playtime he needed as a young puppy. It was getting expensive, and when he wasn't at Daycare he was always looking for me to play with him. Since we got Murphy on Sunday, it's non-stop playtime here. We have our own in-house Daycare. They romp and chase each other, and they're having a ball. No more Guinness nudging me with his nose. I really think this puppy would drive an older, more settled dog crazy. So, based only on a few days experience I would highly recommend spacing a year or two apart. Clearly that's not to say that anyone who has waited longer will have problems, but this is working out great for us right now.

[shelly]

Carmilla - sounds like you could just change the names and put our names in your place. I have been window shopping for quite a while. Like you said it sounds great and then that whispering voice speaks in your ear... I wonder too what age difference is best... kind of like spacing your kids... what may be a good span for one may not be good for another,,,, we're thinking of maybe next spring...Can save a bit more money and Tori will be a little over 3, and training will be easier. Good luck I'll be checking in to see how you make out.