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

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I just love this picture, now that my friends is LOVE x 2

[Theresa]

What a beautiful picture

[Ginny Nightingale]

I had one dog at a time all my life until I got a doodle, then I couldn't wait to get another--then when I had two, which was great after they got used to each other (they played TOO rough for the first few weeks and we had to control playtime). Then I kept one of the puppies from my second doodle's litter so now I have 3--it is a bit overwhelming and yes, everyone thinks I am nuts, but I love it. I recently took the puppy to my dad's house for a few days and when I got home, his mom and his "auntie" were so happy to see him-the three of them danced around the room with joy for about 10 minutes--it made me glad I allowed them to be together as best friends--it is true that they seem to need canine companionship and enjoy it so much. I had terriers previously and they did not want to share the family or the house with another dog--ever. 

[Kami Allen]

We are thinking about getting a second one too, if you were on the Christmas card exchange our card had Meggie asking Santa for a sister :)  She absolutely loves all dogs and I think she gets lonely at home sometimes.  Our breeder is having mini-choc australian labradoodles in the next month or so and we are going to get a "sister" for Meggie.  I'm nervous as we got our Meggie at a year old and nervous about the "puppy stage" but excited too!

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I have always had my dogs in twos.  I think it is great company for them and you.  My last Shih Tzu was 15 when she passed she was a single dog for about 5 years.  I wanted to get another dog but decided against it because she was blind for about the past five years of her life and as she was aging she was losing her sigh.  I felt it was not a good thing to get a puppy when I had a blind senior dog.  After my beloved Calla Lilly passed I got Sasha (goldendoodle), after having Sasha for 8 months I decided to get another doodle because I like having two dogs (maybe 3 some day).  I also wanted to get another dog while Sasha was still a puppy and would welcome another dog into our world.  I was concerned that if she got to be too much of a Mommie's girl she would not want to share me.  So Sasha was 10 months old when I got Oliver and it was the best thing I ever did.  Of course it was more work.... Sasha was house trained then I went right into training Oliver but it was well worth ever second.  Having two dogs is more time consuming and more costly in vet bills and general maintenance, heartworm meds, shots,food, toys etc. are doubled but in my book still worth every single penny !!! 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

While I echo everything those with two doodles have said about the love, expense and time, I would also like to add the perspective of don't just automatically think that your doodle is going to love having another dog.  I did some fostering for the DRC last year, and my Lucy hated it.  All of the dogs (4) were in our home for about 3 weeks, and there was only one of them that Lucy even mildly tolerated.  Lucy is my laid back one and I never dreamed that she would care about another dog.  I just thought they would all love playing together.  Because Lucy was so grumpy with the fosters it made Sophie think that she couldn't play either.  It broke my heart to see Lucy so unhappy about the dogs being in her home.  As you mentioned possibly rescuing as to avoid the puppy stage, please know that bringing in a rescue can bring in a whole different set of problems.  (which can be far worse than the puppy stage)  With my first foster, I didn't leave the house for 2 solid weeks as he was not crate trained, hated the crate, could jump over any gate I put him behind and I had no idea if he would eat the sofa if I left him alone, so therefore, I basically couldn't leave until I became comfortable with him.  That first morning I cleaned up 2 poos and 2 pees before 6 am.  Trust me, I was thinking what the H#@) have I gotten myself into.  He also had food issues so I had to separate everyone to eat.  Things calmed down fairly quickly once we got into a routine, but the friendship with my dogs never developed in the time he was with us.  I couldn't even let him lose in our fenced back yard because he was such a jumper that he could have cleared our fence in a heartbeat. I'm not sure if they would have ever become friends if it had been a dog we adopted.   With the ones we were able to let outside to play, everyone did pretty well outside, but inside the house there was growling all the time.

The other perspective I would like to add is from the standpoint of having a dog when I was working full time and now having 2 dogs since I retired.  Hands down difference for me.  (Although 1st dog was not a doodle).  I was so busy working and commuting etc., that the first dog was just sort of there.  We loved her and she was a big part of our lives, but there were lots of times that she was an inconvenience.  She needed groomed or brushed or to go to the vet when I just really didn't have the time.  We traveled a lot and always had to find someone to care for her or boarded her with a great additional expense.  You always find the time, but it just adds one more stress factor to life.  Now, my doodles are my life.  There are so much a part of my heart and probably 80% of my time is devoted to doing something for them or with them.  All our travel includes them and is planned around them.   If I were working full time and had children (with all of their activities), It would be a completely different experience.  That's not to say it can't be done, just like one child is overwhelming to some people and six isn't enough for others.  Only you truly know (and you must be completely honest with yourself) if there is room in your life and time in your schedule to add another dog and give it the time, attention and love that it deserves.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Perfectly stated, Sheri.

[Terra and Max]

Our household is preparing for a second doodle. There just isn't enough Max to go around for all the love we want to shower on him. The children argue about who loves Max more and they are both confident that he loves them more than the other child. It's quite entertaining. We are waiting until May though when my son will be out of school. That way we can experience those first 3 months of puppyhood with him home 24/7 and able to work on training. I'm dying for a puppy now and spend WAY too many hours a day looking at dogs but the rational side of me knows it's best to wait just 5 more months. Good luck in whatever you and your family decide is best for you!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Rooney was 8 months when we adopted Stuart - a rescue puppy at 8 weeks.  It was very difficult at first because besides the regular "puppy" stuff, Stuart was ill.  It was EXPENSIVE, time consuming and pushed everything else to the rear of the line.  Rooney could have gotten his CGC at that age but I didn't have the time to take the needed class so it got pushed back several months.  And as much as I took one look at Stuart and knew that he was meant to be ours - I had trouble bonding to him due to all the icky illness issues that kept me wears gloves and catching poop on a paper plate.  Right about 3 months - when I really thought I had made a mistake - something just clicked and I was head over heels.  I love and adore Stuart every bit as much as Rooney but it was not instant. 

Having two is more expensive (twice the food, vet, toys, daycare, training, boarding) but also twice the love.  Also twice the time - twice the poop to pick up.  Also I don't take Rooney with me nearly as much, like shopping because Stuart is so much larger and it leaves me with no hands when I have two.  BUT - they LOVE each other, play together, learn from each other.  I can't imagine life without Stuart and Rooney's life is much more fun!!!!!  All things to consider.  Good luck.  P.S.  I am a stay at home wife with no children left in the home - Rooney and Stuart ARE now the kids.  LOL 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Ditto to everything Jane said.  We got Murph as an 11 week old rescue puppy.  Guinness (my 3 yr old) was great with him, but I think for a long time he really missed being an "only Doodle".  They are now bonded, but there are times when I have to intervene because Murph is bigger, stronger, and very self willed.  If I'm not always watching, he'll push Guinness around.  Guinness puts up with a lot, but eventually when he's just had enough, he'll put his "brother" in his place.  I echo what Jane said about the extra time and expense of a second dog....it's fine as long as you're prepared for it.  Also, no two dogs are the same.  Guinness was easy to train...Murph has been a nightmare.  I love them both, and I'm very glad that they're "my guys", but it isn't always easy.

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Great feedback here.....We got Olivia (from a breeder) and brought her home to Sydney on Sydney's 1st birthday!  The look on Sydney's face was "What the F*#&!!!!!!!!  We said, "Yes, here's your birthday present.  Sydney, said, NOT!!!!!!!!!  Well, we read lots and researched lots before we decided to add our second Doodle.  But every Doodle is different when you bringthem into your home.  Luckily, they played lots as puppies, lots of tug o'war, running around, but not so much now that they are 6 and 7 years old.  Olivia, whom we thought was laid back, bullies Sydney around alot.  And, Sydney, who was always such an alpha, runs away from Olivia.  And, yes, the Vet bills are doubled, the food is doubled, it's hard to get anyone to care for two dogs when you need help.  But we love our Girls/Doodles more than anything and wouldn't trade them for a million $$$$$s.  Well, maybe a few million might do the trick!  JUST KIDDING!!!!!!

[Kathy, Harley & Roxie]

Wow, the response here has been the most insightful I'VE seen on the subject of adding another doodle.  It has been an idea that I have toyed with, but until I know 100% it is the right thing to do I will hold off.  Harley is still such a puppy and at 80lbs can be difficult to control when he gets overly excited.  Really don't know what I would do with two over-the-top, so happy to greet you doodles.. lol   Also, time for grooming is probably the biggest factor for me.