Triple the Work? Did I really say that?

[Ashley, Sadie and Coal]

OH. MY. DOODLE.  Did I say triple the work?  I might have understated that just a wee bit!  Exponential might be a better description.  We LOVE our puppies.  We do. We really, really do.  I have convinced myself that Sadie and Coal are "the best pups in the world," because there is no other option for my mental health.  

Here is what people need to know about having litter mate puppies:  Most people, our family included, get two puppies with the well-intentioned, but completely misguided idea that it will keep them from being lonely. That becomes null and void when you realize, that the only way for the two pups to become well-trained and well-adjusted is to raise them completely separately in the same home at the same time.  Therefore, the "two puppies keep each other company" idea is NOT a reason to adopt two.  Now, if one is very motivated and doesn't care much about uninterrupted personal relaxation time (or anything but raising puppies) and also wants to prematurely exhaust one of the kid's college funds, adopting two pups is do-able.  Not easy... Even with "the best pups in the world." I do believe that having easy-going dogs with great genetics might make it less of a struggle than having other pups who have more needy personalities.  I think we got lucky. I try not to think about how easy one puppy seems at this point.  A friend told me the other day that maybe it is like having twins and once the hard part is behind us, the rest will seem easy.  The jury is still out on that particular piece of advice.

Sadie and Coal are 14 weeks old as of yesterday.  We get our last round of puppy shots next week.  It's a good thing too, because it is time for a change of scenery, and these pups are getting too big to carry for very long.  Cold weather and wintry precipitation have lost their luster, and we are ready to get on with warm weather and more socialization. We haven't learned anything new lately... We seem to be revisiting the old stuff, and working out the kinks that pop up every day.  Sadie thinks she only has to lay down if I have a piece of kibble, and they both think they have a little time to think about it before they come.  So, we are looping back and reinforcing...times two...with less treating.  

The two separate locations for daytime seems to be increasing their bond to us and is allowing them the freedom to do their own thing. They have a yogurt/kibble filled Kong, lots of toys, a comfy bed and a rug.  I'm not sure what to do about their water intake while they are in their daytime pens.  If we leave water in there, they make puddles.  If we don't leave water--no puddles.  It feels like a long time to go without water.  We let them have as much water as they want from 3:30 to 8:30 pm and of course on days when we are at home. An experienced puppy raiser told us no more puddles even in the basement on the cement.  What is best????

On good weather days, we have one pup at at time on the front porch (with a gate) while playing/working with the other, and they love it. They actually go to the front door to let us know they want out to play.  I was spying on Sadie the other day and she was just running from toy to toy having a personal puppy party.  We are walking (what seems like miles each day) while working on leash manners.  We are still trying with the flat collars and have more walking and less pulling with each time out. Now I know how the Iditarod works! Those sled dogs must be some happy pups getting to pull til their hearts' content and then some.  I did get to see my friend's grown up doodle the other day and he did not take a step without waiting for her to step first.  She said she trained him with a flat collar.  Lucky for us, she is the one who will be puppy sitting as soon as shots are finished!  

Sadie has puppy vaginitis... Now we have to think about when to get her spayed and the first heat and all that.  Coal is healthy as far as we can tell.  I can't get enough of their soft coat and find myself just wanting to touch them all of the time. They really are sweet, happy puppies... and still very much worth the seemingly endless puppy "doodys."  

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Keep up the good work! The puppies are just adorable! :) Maybe the "keeping each other company" thing will come in handy further down the road...:)

[Michelle]

It is a TON of work but hang in there! We have two 10 month old litter mates, Chloe & Chance. Cannot imagine life without these precious doidlebugs! Training separately is a must. We were really hood about that for the first few months but then got a wee but lazy and can see the difference. They have bonded to us and each other. Having separate crates is really important. As for water, we hang the water feeders in their crates, kind of like for gerbils and that worked for them...little to no water mess except when the bottles dripped. Feel free to message me if you want more info. :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

More power to you. I am impressed by all the effort you are putting into your puppies. Way to go!! Also, they are just gorgeous!!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

They are stunning!  I can see how you can lose yourself in their soft coats :)

[Ashley, Sadie and Coal]

Thank you, friends. Cheryl, the "stay strong" is what I need to hear!  There are a few photos on our page, though they are all phone pics and aren't very good.  I haven't learned to handle the leash and the big camera yet.  Or I just forget it most of the time.  

Coal 

Sadie

[Kimberly Freed]

We have 2 litter mates, Lola & Harley 10 months, who have been a handful but I don't regret it. They play together constantly & wrestle! However they are bonded to each member of our family & greet visitors with enthusiasm. I found keeping them on a schedule regulates them. We highly recommend the dinosaur shaped nylabones!

[F, Calla & Luca]

It osunds like you are doing a great job despite how tough it is : )

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Can't even imagine what it must be like, but I love reading about it.  Would love to see some pictures!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

You are doing such a great job -  it will be so worth it! I just had to scroll back and make sure there were no pictures because I got such a visual when you described Sadie having her personal puppy party, I thought there were pictures!  

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Ashley ~ I hope all those members considering two or puppies at a time are reading your blog.  You and your family are doing a really great job and I love reading about this experience through your eyes.