Double the Doodle !! -- we need more pics !!!!

[Jazz & Jane]

After you look at these SWEET pics, who DOESN'T want a SECOND doodle ????  We need to hear from the "double your love" parent(s). 

 

Is it easier to get them "together" and get all the "NAUGHTINESS" over with at once, or............ get one trained, and then get the second. 

 

I've been there and done it with labs and have a very strong opinion, BUT .... doodles are not 100% lab nor 100% retriever -- there's that "strong smartie pants POODLE" personality that can totally change the outcome, so the sister/brother sister/sister or brother/brother - hood can be totally different.  I'd like to absorb some knowledge from those that have "been there/done that" with this amazing breed.   

 

What's been "hard", and what's been "easy" ?  What do you see as the advantages/disadvantages?  Is the FIRST doodle always the leader or is that "born" in them ?  Does it make a difference in their affection to you, or their need for affection from you ?

 

I'm so very JEALOUS (am I the only one???), so please share the love of your "double doodles" experience with us. 

 

 

 

[Tilly and Gertie]

Having twinkie golden doodles is pretty awesome. I'm not sure it would be the same with any other breed. I've had labs before and I would have had a hard time with two the same age. Golden doods are a bit more laid back (at least Tilly and Gertie are).

What's been "hard", and what's been "easy" ? 
Training was not too hard - but our girls are not in the same league as Connor and Simon or Stella and Seattle.
Hard - walking two dogs while pushing a stroller can be very challenging. Especially when squirrels and cats are present. It would be much easier if we had only one.
Twice the clean up - which can be though in the first few weeks.
Twice the attention - which can be good and bad (they love the attention)
Two kitchen helpers (or loiterers depending on your perspective) - Tilly and Gertie are my Sous chefs
Easy? It has been very easy to spoil the little monkeys.

What do you see as the advantages/disadvantages? 
The greatest advantage is that they have each other and love each other dearly.
Disadvantages:
1. Harder to find any free space to sleep in your own bed
2. Hardwood floors
3. More food goes in and more comes out.
4. Twice the cost

Is the FIRST doodle always the leader or is that "born" in them ? 
We think Tilly was the runt of the litter. She was extremely shy as a pup (some of you may remember) but now she is definitely the alpha dog.

Does it make a difference in their affection to you, or their need for affection from you ?
When Mike and I first got the girls we thought one dood would favor one parent and the other dood would favor the other parent. I actually think they love us equally. We connect with the girls in different ways much like they connect with us in different ways.

[Belinda Stevens]

Yeah I have to agree with with all of what you said....especially the "hardwood floors" Ha! So true! Thank you for the comment about Stella and Seattle but those two have some issues! I wish I could place them on a high pedestal but Jane and I have chatted about that. I don't want to bring thier self-esteem down too much :-)

I have to say I LOVE Love love both Stella and Seattle but it is much harder having two than it is one. They feed of each other and get each other worked up which is great on one hand becuase they have each other to play with like that but it also can make ya crazy...ya know?
Stella is for sure the leader and the alpha female. I secretly love it though when Seattle gets the best of Stella. It brings her back down to earth every now and again.
It was of course different for us because we got Stella and then a year and a half later got Seattle. So Stella had already been trained and then it was Seattles turn. Not that it should ever stop mind you, but as far as the basics go. And in that way I think that probably made it easier.
I think my biggest problem is making things fair for both of them. When I just had Stella I took just her to work with me. I had said I wasn't even going to start that with Seattle because there was no way I could take both at the same time. But as time went on I did start to take her because I wanted her to have the same experiences. So now I take turns with them. Their personalities are very different and I also cater to those traits too. For instance I take Stella hiking and camping with me when I go alone for two basic reasons. She is more rough and tough and for my own selfish reason of only wanting to keep an eye on one dog. I worry to much about Seattle. On the other hand Seattle is more suited to therapy vistis that we are currently working with her on getting her to that level. I think they are just like kids in that way. They should have something special of thier own.
OK... I think I have run out of hands. But with all that being said I think you should get another one already Jane!

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

I agree with everything Asha and Belinda have said. Except my guys both have their own issues as well. If anyone had seen Connor bouncing around at Stony Pt today, they would have asked If I'd ever considered obedience classes for him (which someone asked me a couple of months ago).
Connor was a complete and total handful as a puppy. I couldn't have dealt with 2 of him. He has always been the sweetest, kindest hearted boy ever, but being a puppy mill rescue @ 13 weeks, he had never lived with humans. That brings lots of interesting situations with it. At 3 yrs old, he has much better manners, has been a certified therapy dog for almost a year, but still has his enthusiastic doodle moments. Connor is the happiest dog I have ever had...and he has my heart. :-)
We got Simon when Connor was almost 2. From the minute he walked through the door, Connor was convinced Simon was for him.They have been like 2 furry peas in a doodle pod. They obviously adore each other's company. Simon was the 9th (and smallest) of 9 puppies and has a much more demure personality. Unless I have him out (in public) constantly, he can get easily overwhelmed by a situation. Simon starts another set of classes the end of this month, hoping to further build his confidence. He is a very loving little boy...I think he's like a little bunny. I love the way he looks at me ... so sincere, so earnest. I truly believe Simon really, truly wants to do what I ask of him. He tries so hard....it is very endearing.
I have no regrets -- not even one little one-- about getting a second doodle. And like Belinda said, it's like having 2 kids. You recognize each ones strengths and weaknesses and have to spend special time with each of them alone, as well as with them together.
To anyone who might be considering a second doodle...definitely go for it. It's more time grooming, walking, training. More vet bills and food. But you get back more than twice the amount of love, laughter (twice the goofiness), cuddles and you never, ever will be cold on a winter's night.

[Jazz & Jane]

Yall are KILLEN me !!!

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Jane, if I had the money and more energy, I would get another dood in a heartbeat. I've been downsizing as I've gotten older, though. When Connor came to live with us, we had a collie and a newfoundland. (We still have the collie) The newfie weighed in around 140 lbs when he went to the Bridge. Connor weighs around 75 lbs. Simon is a standard ALD and weighs in around 50 lbs. So, if I EVER get another doodle, it will probably be either a mini GD or a small medium ALD.

Doesn't Jazz need a sib to play with?

[Tilly and Gertie]

That is on of my favorite photos of Connor and Simon! Precious.

One last comment from me. We have not done much with our girls individually and I think if you do get a second doodle you should try to do that. They definitely have individual personalities but they are a bit sad if they are separated. If I try to walk one without the other the one with me will sit in the driveway with her head looking back at the door looking for her sibling. They don't know what to do with themselves when the other is not there. Probably not a good idea to have them so dependent on one another. On the flip side, Gertie jumped over our fence a few months ago and didn't stray far at all. She just walked and played near her sister on the other side of the fence.

I say go for it, Jane.

[Joy Williams]

I have to admit that when we decided to get a Goldendoodle, it was my husband who said, Let's get two!!. I was totally against it b/c I knew who would be taking care of TWO! I would be the one to get up all night with them to take them out, to train them, groom them, etc. But I can honestly say, it was the best thing I think he has ever talked me into!! It was quite trying at times having 2 puppies, but I also think that it had advantages. They keep each other company, so it was not an issue as far as crate training, leaving them alone to go to work,etc. I think b/c they had each other to play with is the reason why we still have so many of the toys that we have bought them. I can count on one hand the number of toys that they destroyed. But that also means Double Trouble when they do get into stuff. Maddie is definitely the alfpha and we are convinced that she is the ring leader when they get into mischief. Morgan just goes along with it and then she gets the punishment too!

This was a pic of both of them in same crate once when I got so mad at them for something and they took off upstairs to get in their bed. I guess I must have really scared them!!
Trying to teach them things was harder I think, b/c they would, after a few minutes of training, they would start wrestling with each other, I'd get frustrated, and the training session was over. I do regret not trying to separate them more b/c as Asha said, the other one just looks so sad that her sister is not there instead of "enjoying the moment"! They are very competitive when it comes to getting our attention and affection. They both want to bring us gifts when we come home and we have to make sure that we get excited about both (or all) of the gifts as they get their feelings hurt so easily if one gets more attention.
All in all, I would say go for it! They constantly bring us joy, laughter and all the "sugar" you can handle!!

[Lisa {Zoe's Mom]]

The only double doodle I can share is that I've been bucking for another one.......keep your fingers crossed!

The cream dood looks like my Zoe except Zo has a black nose [in the very first picture].  They are both very beautiful!!!