New Puppy!

[Karen Kramer]

Hello All,

We are bringing home a new addition to our family tomorrow--an 8 week old F1B goldendoodle male.  We already have a spoiled F1 labradoodle female.  I was wondering if anybody had any tips on how to introduce the two dogs...current 1.5 year old female and 8 week old male.  Or if there is anything we would be aware of or prepared for?  We have never had two dogs at a time, so this is all new to us.  Do you have separate food/water bowls?  Do they each have their own toys or will they for the most part share?  etc.  Any advice would be must appreciated!  Thanks in advance! 

Karen

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

In my opinion separate food bowls are absolutely necessary, even water bowls if possible.  My dogs start with their own bowl and the check for "leftovers" in the other's bowl.  It can be funny.

It might be a good idea to introduce the new puppy to the older dog outside before bringing it in.  This way the other dog can get familiar with its scent and not feel its territory is threatened.  However, being an older female I imagine a "maternal" instinct is possible and it will probably be a very smooth transition.  I would keep her toys, chewies, etc

from the newcomer to prevent any problems.  Perhaps putting them out of reach till they get to know each other better, our have their own toys but they play tug of war frequently and end up with each other's toys.  There have been occasional disagreements, the older one always wins.    Good luck and congrats on your new puppy!

Enjoy, this will be a beautiful time!  And don't forget to take oodles of pictures.    : )

 

A good idea also would be to check out the puppy group, if you aren't already a member.   Also it might help

to bring something with your current pet's scent on it when you go to pick up the puppy to familiarize him with her scent.

[Cynthia and Magic]

Let us know how it goes!! I have no advice - but I would love to get a second dog so I am interested in how it goes! Hubby isn't sure another dog is a good idea, but I think Magic needs a brother or sister :) 

[Karen Kramer]

I will try to remember to post on here how it goes.  My hubby was in the same boat!  I convinced him by showing him a lot of forum where people discussed "one dog versus two" and by talking to people at dog parks with two dogs...all of these sources had good things to say about having two dogs.  We shall see starting tomorrow afternoon how our spoiled labradoodle takes it!  ;)

[Jackie]

This could be me writing this post...lol  Same thing here, want another dog and trying to talk hubby into it.

[Lynda Kamrath]

We have had two dogs since we started with doodles and they have always been best friends.  Ours are about 3-4 years apart and are very excited about a new puppy in the house.

Food?  I would definitely say in different areas.  Ours eat on the two sides of the sliding glass door, one inside and one outside.  And they check to see if they are getting anything different.

THe older dog doesn't care about toys, but the younger one always has a toy in his mouth.  He is also very mouthy and chews on everything (my bathing suit was the latest victim).  Separate areas for sleeping - at least to begin with.  Both our dogs now have access to the whole house, but things need to be always picked up for the younger dog or he will chew it up.

Introductions?  I would suggest introducing outdoors after the puppy has had a little time to explore the yard alone.  Then invite the older dog to join him.  It is sometimes trying when they first meet, but I will bet your female will want to mother the puppy.  You might also want to separate at first for bathroom times and always carry the puppy out and put him down exactly where you want him to eliminate.  Give him rewards and he will catch on quickly.

Enjoy!   This is a special time for all of you.

[Tracy L Boring]

Karen,

Congratulations.  I bet you are so excited.  We have two male Australian Labradoodles (2 years old, and 3 years old), and they loved each other at first sight.  They started kissing from the time they first met, and they still kiss today.  They are kissing now.  Ha, ha.  I introduced ours on neutral ground.  Things went great. They both have a separate food bowl, separate water bowl,separate places to sleep, and separate toys.  They both share though by choice.  They sleep with their feet touching.  The only thing that I worry about with mine, is that our two year old, can not stand to be separated from the 3 year old.  They are both such great dogs.  They just love everyone, and everything.  Good luck.  Post pictures.

Tracy

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

I agree with everything Sally said.

I have 2 doodles and an elderly rough coat collie. All have very separate food dishes. Toys are pretty much shared, but I discourage one taking a toy away from another (not during play, but like "I want this! Give it to me!"). My collie has been weird with my 2 yr old ALD since he came home at 16 weeks. It was love at first sight between my goldendoodle and the baby. Even if they get along great, their play will have to be closely supervised as it would be very easy for a 1.5 yr old dog to accidentally injure a puppy.  Make sure to have alone time with each dog. Your adult dog has been an "only" for her entire life. Even if she likes the new baby, she will still need alone time with you to go on car rides or visit PetsMart, etc. As soon as the puppy is old enough, get him into puppy training classes. That will help a lot. :-) Looking forward to seeing pictures.

Just be patient and calm and all will be fine. :-)

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Karen, congrats on the new puppy.  If you haven't already, you should check out the multiple doodles group http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/multipledoodlesordogs  you will find some helpful information there.

[Karen Kramer]

I am happy to be able to say that the puppy goldendoodle (Tucker) and our 1.5 year old labradoodle (Zoey) are getting along great!!!   They LOVE each other SO much and it has not even been a week yet  :)   Zoey is acting very "motherly" towards Tucker and it can be quite entertaining to watch!  If I tell Tucker NO on something....here comes Zoey to the rescue to get him to stop chewing or jumping on things he shouldn't....she has been fantastic so far!  She will tease him with toys and play keep away while he tries to pounce on her.  She keeps ropes very loosely in her mouth and plays tug-o-war with him but is sure to let him win some of the times.  She plays "rough" but not too rough...she understands when we say "gentle" and then settles down some.  She even checks on him when he is sleeping to make sure he is ok...melts my heart.  They have been great at sharing toys and surprisingly, food as well.  They won't eat apart from each other.  We have two food and water bowls...but throughout eating time, they really just keep switching back and forth...lucky for us they are eating the same food  ;)   My favorite part is that Zoey plays with Tucker when he is in that puppy biting/pouncing mood....and she enjoys it much more than I  :)   Getting a second dog is the BEST thing we could have done (at least so far)!  It's a lot of work having a puppy again...but seeing how much they care for one another already makes it worth it!  Thanks for all the advice everybody!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I just read this post and was about to give advice and see everything is going great. Other than the initial meeting, everything went smoothly with our two dogs too. So glad it is going great. Congratulations!!!

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

How wonderful that they are getting along so beautifully!   Now, how about a couple of photos...........  : )

[Karen Kramer]

A few pictures!