Add a second doodle to our family?

[Sara Schultz]

Hi Everyone,

I know a lot of you have two or more doodles. We currently have one, Lucy, a mini-goldendoodle who is 2-years-old. She's at the point now that we REALLY enjoy her. She's had training and the less desirable puppy behaviors have worn off. 

I had no previous thoughts of getting a second doodle until I "happened upon" Zoey in the DRC section at the bottom of the Doodle Kisses homepage. She's a mini-goldendoodle, just a little smaller than Lucy, and is 3-years-old and just sounds like a great dog temperment-wise. Seeing her made me start thinking that it would be nice to have a second dog. Lucy would probably enjoy having a "sister" to play with. As much as we walk her and throw the tennis ball for her to fetch, there is something about canine companionship that Lucy seems to really enjoy when she has playdates or goes to board at "Canine Camp" when we travel. I'm also thinking it might not be a tremendous change in my responsibilities to add a second dog to the mix, especially if it's not a puppy. It would have to be the right dog - either Zoey or another dog similar to her. 

My friends and family would probably think I am crazy - our four kids are growing and our life is full with school, church and sports, but maybe having two doodles is better than having one, even more so when life is full?

I'd love to hear others' thoughts.

Thanks

Sara

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi Sara,

It never hurts to fill out an application. Doodles in rescue are in great demand, and just submitting an application does not obligate you or guarantee that you would even be chosen for the dog in question.

However, the only way to successfully adopt a dog is to want the dog for yourself, and not as a playmate for another dog, a child, or anyone else. If the reason you are considering adopting is to have a companion for Lucy, I can tell you in honesty that you would not be chosen as an adopter, at least not for a dog in the DRC program. You must ask yourself honeslty if you would even be considering another dog if it was not to keep Lucy occupied. A breeder will sell you a puppy for this purpose, but a good rescue group will not place a dog where there are any expectations other than that the dog will be a companion for you. If you do not simply want a particular dog with all your heart, for yourself, for what you can do for the dog and not what the dog can do for you,  it is not fair to adopt a rescue dog.

It also sounds like your life may be too busy to give a rescue dog the time and attention he or she needs. A very busy environment with lots of people coming and going is not the best situation for an adopted dog, who is already overwhelmed, frightened, and disoriented by all the changes in his or her life. For at least several months, a newly adopted dog needs consistency, routine, calmness, and as few visitors or changes in the household "players" as possible.

The DRC will also not adopt to homes where there are children under the age of 5, even if there is already another dog in the home.

Rescue dogs have already lost at least one home, and the next home must be the last one, no matter what. A good rescue is going to choose a home with the goal of stacking the deck in the dog's favor, with there being as few possibilities for failure as possible.

Just some things to think about as you contemplate getting another dog.

 

[Sara Schultz]

Thank you, Karen. All good points you've made. 

I don't think I'd get another dog simply to be Lucy's playmate, but it would be a side benefit that they'd have one another. :) The truth is, I LOVE having a dog. If having one dog is good, having two could be better. 

One reason that Zoey in particular appealed to me is that she was surrendered to the DRC due to her owner having to take a 14-hr-per day job, so although she hasn't been in a busy household, it doesn't sound as if she's been abused. We did foster a dog through DRC several years ago before getting Lucy who didn't adapt well to our full house, so it is definitely something to consider. Even a dog who hasn't been abused does need consistency, so I need to truly think hard about how well we could provide that for an adopted dog. However, if Zoey (or another dog) is social and enjoys being around other dogs and people, think what an awesome place our home could be for her! 

My kids are 8, 10, 14 and 15, so the under 5 isn't an issue for us.

Most definitely lots to consider. Thanks for helping me look at the various issues.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would also suggest that you ask a friend or relative to let you keep their dog overnight, or better yet, for a weekend. Many dogs love to play with other dogs at the dog park, the other dog's house, the daycare, etc., but are not at all thrilled to have another dog on their own home turf permanently, sharing their toys, their treats, their space and their people 24/7. Many adopters have been shocked by the reaction of the dog they thought would love to have a playmate when they brought another adult dog into their home. The issues eventually can be worked out, but you can have some very rough sailing for awhile. Many adult dogs will accept a puppy more easily than they will accept another adult. A trial run would be a good idea, this is something we suggest to potential adopters whose  dogs have never lived with another dog in the current home.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

The overnight/over the weekend visit is a great suggestion Karen.  An adoption agency in our area actually does this before they approve an adoption.  Sleepover something... they call it. It can last up to a week before final decisions are made.

[Sara Schultz]

Also a great point - very good idea. 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Sara, overnight or for several days is an excellent idea and will give you some insight of how Lucy may react to Zoey being in her home. Hard to say I would think, depending on the differences in the visiting dog and Zoey. I can tell you as a two doodle owner, that it has it's pros and cons and I knew I wanted another very shortly after we had Murphy for similar reasons you express. However, it ended up in the end that I wanted more of a cuddler for me and since Murphy was fast becoming DH's best buddy, I knew I wanted one for each of us to always have around no matter where we were in the house.

There is always one around, mostly two, very close by, but I got my cuddler and she is right on top of me 24/7.
It is very nice that they are great friends and do everything together, play all day and are in such sync with eachother that it's uncanny. If one just lifts his head the other is right near him/ her looking at them as if to say " what's up bro?". Murphy has benefited mostly from having Bella as his separation anxiety is much less now and we can leave them home without worries that he's home crying and howling as he had before her.

They love being together and get very concerned when one is taken away for even a little bit. In Murphy's case he may be worried, hes a worry-wart, but in Bella's case I think she just doesn't want to miss anything! She's as Nosey as they come.

However, it is twice the work, food, time, expense, vet bills, poop to keep track of for sickness, clean up, not to mention grooming if you get it done by someone else, but even the maintance between grooming is double. It's 8 paws to clean when it's muddy out, and about 40 toenails to clip ( I never counted their toenails). So there is a lot to consider. Having said all that, I don't think I could ever just have one again.

[Lee Seidman]

We have two Doodles,  Lexi and Billy, they bring twice the love and joy into our lives. Also, twice the expense, grooming and vet bills but we wouldn't have it any other way! They are the best of friends and when we are involved in other then Doodle business they entertain each other.

[Linda, Guinness, Molly, Snickers]

We are September in the Goldendoodle Calendar, we have two and our daughters' family the other two.  Twice the love, twice the fun.  Ours are brother and sister, Guinness a year older than Molly.  They are the best of friends to me and to each other.  It is a handful but my kids are all grown so I'm a full time dog mom, I love it!  Oh, and my friends and family do think I'm crazy and they are probably right.......I also own two akitas, Sumo and Sukiyaki.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Great photo!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Ditto!!

[Kami Allen]

GORGEOUS pic, I showed my husband and said "see, Meggie needs a sister"

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

OMD,  Guinness and Molly are adorable together.  They look like a two-headed ball of fluff.