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

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I think it all depends on your lifestyle and type of dog you have. 2 dogs are way more work than 1, and I have learnt the hard way (we moved into the inlaws for a while who have a dog) that its not always the best to have 2. Yes I have the time to keep an eye on them (im studying at home) but it can be difficult taking them both out at the same time when I have to. Cooper hardly ever matted now its like shes going through the coat change again, perhaps from all the wrestling they do. The inlaws dog steals everything from Cooper, wont let her rest in peace unless they are shut in separate rooms, and constantly chews and pulls Coopers fur, even though they do like to play together. They have all gone away from the holidays, and I have to admit Cooper (who is somewhat submissive) is happier alone with the cats. I used to want a second doodle, now i dont!

[Sara Schultz]

You all have given me much to think about. I agree with Kathy, this has been an insightful discussion. Thanks to each of you very very much for your time and input.

DH and I will be having a good heart-to-heart to figure out what would be best, both for a rescue dog and for our family.

[susan kaput]

I have a 4 1/2 year old minidoodle, Angus. My son has a 5 1/2 year old full-sized doodle, Walnut, who spends most of his days at my house.  They are like Mutt and Jeff;  they love each other.  I think 2 dogs, together, are great.  They're never lonely, and they look out for each other.  I say, go for it!

[Sara Schultz]

Thought I would post an update... 

Karen, we did as you suggested and had another dog over for 2 days, both to help some friends as they went out of town and to give us a feel for how Lucy might respond to having another dog on her turf. It was a good exercise. Ultimately, I think it would come down to the specific dogs' temperaments - the dog we had over was pretty low-energy and she mainly just tried to avoid Lucy. It could be very different with a dog of a more energetic nature - like a young doodle would likely be.

I also did what Nancy suggested on the DRC site and browsed the webpage for our local shelter one day during Christmas break. Lo and behold, there was a doodle the very first time I looked! I drove over that day to meet her, but when I got there, she had already been adopted. Likely the shelter doesn't get a chance to update their site on a daily basis. I was disappointed, and it made me realize that I'm interested in caring for and a providing a home to another dog and believe we have the capacity to offer that. 

If we were dying to add a second doodle to our family right this minute, yes, we could buy a puppy from a reputable breeder... probably the same breeder where we got Lucy. She's our first dog, so it was an important step that we learn how to be dog owners first with a puppy. Plus our kids were 2 years younger than they are now, so for our youngest (now 8), it was good that he started with a puppy so she didn't dominate him.

However, if there is a dog who is already alive and needing a new home, then I'd like to give him/her a home rather than purchase one.

It will have to be the right dog - we need to be right for him/her and he/she needs to be right for us, most especially for Lucy. I hope we can find a way to allow Lucy and any potential dog that we'd adopt to meet and spend some time together to get a bit of a feel for how they would get along. But I know from reading Amy Sherman's story over on DRC that the adjustment period once the rescue dog comes home can be tough - really tough. 

So, who knows if we will be chosen for Zoey's forever family... (I'm still hoping! and could drive to Dallas tonight if they called me right now!) Even if we are not chosen, I feel like I have learned a lot in this process and that some time, when the right dog comes along (if it isn't Zoey), we will be in a good mental space to adopt a rescue doodle.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The right dog will come along. Be diligent in checking the listings daily, and submit applications at all the local shelters anyway, even if they don't currently have a dog in whom you are interested. That's how I got Jack; I had submitted an application for another dog who turned out not to be a good match for me, but when Jack was relinquished, I was called before he hit Petfinder. And you are correct, the listings are not up-to-the minute ever, because Petfinder doesn't update immediately even if the rescue group does.

As you know, the right dog is worth waiting for, and like anything else that's good in life, seems to come along when you least expect it. Your next best friend is out there looking for you right now, it's only a matter of time. :)

 

[Rob, Stacy, Garmisch & Wembley]

I have 2....and I think other than the fact that the fiscal responsibility doubles, there is not much added work with doodle #2.  

More poop is just about the only thing I can think of.  They chase each other in the back yard for hours.....now going from 2 to 3....that is another story.