Bringing in a second...or third...or

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Bringing in another dog into a home that already has a dog, was easy for me. The older one "taught" the new one where to do business, what the routine was, what was OK and not. There was very little training on my part and no housebreaking. It was great. I'll never have one dog again.

What were your experiences?

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Before giving ANY vaccine, I have my three titered. That way you and the vet knows the levels in his bloodstream. People should not give recommended vaccine cocktails either. They have been shown to cause a lot of problems.

[Sally Rollins]

We did it, we are getting our 2nd doodle January 2 2009. We have only had Dakota amonth and he is amazing, so we decided to get him a buddy. Dakota is a GD but the new guy who will be 12wks when they ship him to us, is a labradoodle, chocolate. We named him Choco latte and will call him Choco. Hope this works out!

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

Okay, I have a question. I just lost my 11 year old German Shepherd (Jag - male). Lucy, my doodle, is 10 months old. I'm babysitting my sister's papillion for the next 7 weeks.... so that should be a good "trial"... but the things I"m worried about are:
1. Can I give enough attention to them both? (I've never had human children but I've heard that mother's worry over similar things.) Lucy is so human attached and I sure don't want her to feel slighted (and yes, I know I'm assigning human feelings to a dog - but I can't help it). The good side is that when I'm at work, Lucy won't get lonely. She and Jag were buddies but Jag was very independent and didn't require a lot of lovin.. if that makes sense.
2. Do I get another female or male? is there a difference in the sexes?? In German Shepherds there is a big difference. The females tend to be more loyal, loving and protective. Where the males are more independent....
3. How do you train one? Do you put the other one in a crate? How does that work??
4. Can 1 person reallly "handle" two doodles?? Lucy is a jumper and puller (we're working on it). The thought of TWO of her... getting in the car.. going to the dog park.. agility class.. obedience class... etc.. yikes... I take Lucy everywhere with me... is my Camry big enough for another??? again, yikes...
These are just a few of the things on my mind.. all help is appreciated!!
Thanks - LeAnn and Lucy

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

LeAnn - I'm not an expert but I think that conventional wisdom is to have the second dog be of the opposite sex. I also have read that if they are desexed it doesn't matter.

We have three dogs - they each require different types of attention. Mariner our 1 year old has some "special" issues, so he gets more attention then the two older ones. You know when they need attention. They also do watch out for each other and keep each other company. Boomer our 3 year old alerted us the other night that Mariner was having a seizure.

The older ones help train the younger ones, as they have a role model.

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

Andy and Sharon... thanks so much for your response... I like the role modeling thing.. I'm so sorry to hear that Mariner has seizures... hope things get better...

[Adina P]

1. It is not too difficult to give attention to two dogs. At two, three, and 13 our dogs require very little attention at all (as far is what they demand or beg for or what will keep them well behaved). They are pretty much content to nap, follow us around, and hang out. Now, if you get a puppy then puppy will require a lot of attention, but a lot of puppy's time will also be taken up playing with Lucy!

And don't worry, Lucy will not be jealous. She may compete for attention... But she will not feel slighted at all.

2. I vote for male... For variety's sake :-) But it really shouldn't matter to their relationship or how they get along. My male is the most lovey dovey.

3. You train your dog the same way you would if you had only one. Sometimes, you'll have to leave one at home or crated while you work the other one. Once the other one understands you can do both of them together or at least with one playing freely while the other works. Many people say that dogs can help train each other. I have never found this to be true--not for high level obedience, anyway. And not for distraction proofing. But for simple, around the house, behavior...I agree. They can also train each other to be naughty ;-)

4. Handling two dogs--I think only YOU can answer this. I could barely handle one at first... And for a while three was an absolute nightmare!!! But now, I can easily walk three, get all three in the car. I've even taken two to our local handling class, working one at a time. And I drive a Beetle!!! It is more work and hassle to have multiple dogs. I think it's worth it, but it's not for everybody.

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

Adina.. great info!!! I don't know who I'm fooling (except myself)... I'm gonna get another doodle... and somehow it will all work out... now I have to decide whether to get a red goldendoodle from Living Springs or another doodle from Cheyanne Valley in Texas (which is where Lucy came from)... if I go with another breeder it will just be for color.. is that completely shallow??? I've written several people who've received dogs from Living Springs in Montana and they seem very happy..... just not sure.. stay tuned!!!

[Lake Girl, Lizette]

Hi LeAnn & Lucy
I just read your questions...and I am not an expert but we have always had two dogs. We had two female springers....they were best friends and loved each other so much. We got Molly and she is 14 weeks old and now after the first of the year we will get Nestle from Kendra at Noble Vestal Labradoodles. Molly came from Spring Creek...she is great. We have had a few eating issues but overall she is so smart, loving, and makes us so happy. I was a teacher for 20 yrs and many yrs as a special needs teacher. My point... just like kids...dogs love companionship. I don't feel as guilty when I leave because they are never alone. As far as love...humans and animals alike are capable of endless love. A well rounded child is loved by many. I think a well rounded puppy is nurtured by many loving hands and hearts. I never once thought that I loved one of my dogs more than the other. If I hugged on one...I hugged on the other and sometimes they were both being hugged and loved at the same time. They know instinctively that you love them and mine never got jealous. Male/female both make great dogs. We have always had females because of personal reasons ...even after neutering, our Ace still marks everything outside (our son's big dog). After talking to several people and from my own experience...I will put them both in a crate together unless I see that there will be problems. I feel that we can handle anything that we make a determined effort to. I strongly believe even though initially it will be a little more work...the end result is well worth it. I didn't note how big your Lucy is but I would think maybe a mini..25 lbs might be a nice addition. Also, the age difference would seem helpful...Lucy is I assume potty trained and the young one can learn from that. Dogs are very humanistic in their love and attributes...so I understand how you feel but it doesn't stop us from sharing in that love with others or worrying that if we love one person we can't love another. I plan to take both of mine to an obedience class but at separate times...I don't think it is recommended you have two at once ( ?). Multi-tasking is trying and presents challenges but when completed offfer one the personal satisfaction of accomplishment... intrinsically rewarding .

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I really tried to figure out whether getting all of one sex was better or mixing the sexes or..... There are so many examples and opinions out there that you might as well do as you wish. We have had mixed groups with a female being the oldest of all females, 2 females and a male, and we have also had all males. We just haven't had problems. It most likely depends upon both the dogs and the home situation. Think of the breeders - they have multiple dogs who do and don't get along.

[Paul Lewis]

Well, no regrets on my second Doodle. He is now 14 months, his bro is 26 months. They love each other and play constantly. However, Louie, the 1 yr. old did not pick up potty training from Buck, he followed his own time frame. Thank goodness he has finally got it. I'm actually considering a 3rd! Someone stop me! I did do something a little different to select Louie. I brought home multiple doodles and Bucaroo picked his buddy. He loved Louie from the 1st and ignored all others introduced and nothing has changed! Both are males.

[Marianne *OZZY & ZOEY]

My third puppy was just born yesterday, YEAH! Ozzy will be 9 months when we get her home. I also have a 13 year old golden/lab mix. I am sure you will be fine, Ozzy learned more from the older dog in a shorter time then it would have taken me to train him. Older dogs don't seem to like it when puppies don't make it outside for the potty. They must have a dog language because Ozzy only had 1 accident and that was all.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

You know what? Your post really comforted me.. you're right! I am totally overanalyzing this! I'm emailing my breeder now! THANKS