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."  

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Wow Ashley, I'm exhausted just reading this lol  You are an inspiration and a great doodle mom!  Stay strong :)  This is a "must read" for anyone thinking about two pups at once!