best time to get new puppy

[fergie11]

my fergie is 7 months old. when is the best time to get a new puppy. I'm thinking next year when she'll be 1 yr. i see many of you have 2 doodles. was it hard bringing in #2. Fergie is absolutely in love with me but she is very well socialized with other dogs. any adivse with that new puppy?
also contrary to what i've heard - i really want another girl. does everyone think that will be a problem

[Adina P]

I think your plans sound totally doable. Work on her obedience and any problem behaviors really well until then and then either gender (if they are both spayed/neutered) will be fine. Clark, while we were dating, had his dogs over all the time. They stayed at my house with my roommate while we picked up my puppy Rosco. When we brought Rosco home we plopped him on the ground in the backyard...he moaned and wet himself overwhelmed by the other dogs and within 5 minutes he was running after them and playing.

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

Here's some advice from a professional that I found helpful:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=99&A=246...

My own doodles are only 4 months apart in age, and have grown up together. I got no 2 to keep no 1 company, because she was lonely. I never considered getting another female as my last two dogs were both females and fought constantly (they were about 2 years apart in age). I suppose you have to carefully consider the temperaments of your current and new dog to increase the chances of them getting along. Lilo loved her new playmate the minute he walked in, and Rocky immediately accepted Lilo as the leader of the dog world. Ultimately they get along well because they are very different, enjoy different activities, and the pecking order was established from day 1.

[Diane Dolphin Rocker]

I will never have just one dog! I love that they can play and keep each other company. I have always had at least 2 girls, sometimes 3 and we have never had fights. I think waiting till a year is a good idea and like Adina suggested, make sure this one is trained and doesn't have any bad habits. She will definitely help you train the little one and teach her everything she knows...both good and bad :)).

[fergie11]

Thank you for your support on the two female thing. I personaly just like girls. I'm on the list for a spring puppy so it's going to be a long winter.

[Lynn & Sadie in WI]

I was also thinking of adding another doodle once my pup (4 mos old now) is at least a year old. In the past I have had 2 and 3 dogs at one time and it was great for them. They always have a companion when you can't be there with them. I found that the older dogs helped train the puppies which was always a big help.

I would definately wait until Fergie is at least a year old but I do know others that have pups from the same litter and have managed. It is just a lot of work to train two young dogs at one time. Mine happened to all be females and got along just fine. I think it is more the dog than the gender.

[fergie11]

thanks for the reply. I am going with my plan. She is doing so-so good. She's really everything doodle are said to be and somuch more. My whole family just loves her. I'm on the list for another puppy in spring and just can't wait. Does your doodle shed my friend had a litter of labradoodles and all of them shed bad. That's not the worst though, they are really nice dogs.

[Lynn & Sadie in WI]

I have noticed little 'tumbleweeds' floating down the hall at times but not much. She was just bathed a couple of days ago and no shedding at all now. She has the hair coat, or at least so far it is, so I'm thinking she may shed some but I don't think I'll know for sure until she has her adult coat.

If what she has shed so far is the worse it gets, I can definately live with that. Non-shedding would definatley be a plus, but she is so sweet it doesn't really matter.

[Tamara & Giada]

I have two females, and they have always done well together. I really don't know about the age of when to get your next puppy......my older dog was 6 years old when we got our puppy. I do think size makes a difference. My LD is so much larger than my shih-tzu, that my shih-zu won't play with her anymore:(

[fergie11]

I'm going to same breeder again so they should be the same size and you're right about that size thing. my friend has 5 dogs and they do hang out together by size.

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

My doodles are almost exactly a hear apart and it worked out wonderful. Good luck and don't hesitate...I've never had two dogs before and it has been a wonderful experience. I'm so happy they have each other!! I do have opposite sexes, but I posted almost the same question as you before I got my second and most say it is okay to have two girls. Good luck!!

[1v200f3rbrnxk]

My doodles are 5 mos apart in age......the 1st 3mos was a bit of work but after that it's gets so much easier. They are male/female and bonded almost instantly
I love having 2 dogs....companions, can wrestle, do doodle runs together and more. I am more the 'FETCH" person, trainer, hugger etc. but also love getting 2 doodles trying to kiss me simultaneously, and love when they both snuggle by me just wanting to relax and get a big hug or good ole belly rub.

I had my 3 kids very close......total of 4yrs difference between them so for me having 2 doodles 5 mos apart seemed normal. At one point i did have 3 doodles
and the 3rd one was 11mos younger than max, 6mos younger than peanut
it was easy.

long story short: having 2 doodles is GREAT but you have to decided how much time you have to work with both a puppy and your present doodle which will determine age differences.
ME? i prefer to do it all at once NOW i have 2 doodles maturing at same time
Max is 27mos old, Peanut is 22mos old....they're calmer but still have their comical moments and I some says miss the puppyhood mischieviousness but at same time glad some are over with

GOOD LUCK......and i will say some will say 1yr apart is easier.
IMO what is your time/lifestyle schedule like? for me the younger puppy learns off the older puppy that's trained making my job a tad easier

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Shayna is a year younger than Boomer and Mariner is almost a year younger than Shayna.

I don't necessarily think that there is any magic to them being a year apart. They will keep each other company and watch out for each other.

The only thing to remember is that you want to continue to show the older one a lot of attention. You don't want jealousy.

It was suggested to us that you introduce them outside. It is more neutral territory.