When to get a second Doodle?

[Barb Perkins]

Ok, I know this is jumping the gun... BUT -

Today I pick up my first F1B Goldendoodle Otis! During my wait, I joined this site and have been loving browsing through everyone's pictures. (Stalker haha). I literally can not wait to pick him up after work today. He is 9.5 weeks old. 

Anyway, while looking at everyone's pictures, I see many of you have 2....3...  I'm already anticipating wanting a second one. So for those of you that have more than one, is there a best time to add number two to the family? When Otis is over 1y.o.? Sooner?  Just curious...maybe after a few nights of no sleep I'll be re-thinking it. Lol.

Thanks in advance for replies.

[Adina P]

My personal preference is to wait until AFTER the 1st one is over a year and pretty darn well trained or manageable in places you like to go with your dog(s).

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

My first dog was almost 8 before we brought in a second dog and boy oh boy do I wish we had done it sooner.  Poor guy wants to play with the pup but just doesn't last very long AND when he's done playing he doesn't want the puppy to bother him.  THAT doesn't work in his favor.....LOL  If I were to do it again I get them both at the same time and get the potty training and obedience training done all at once - like my kids. 

 

Congrats on the new puppy and remember, no matter what you do, do it because it's best for you, not someone else's advice or opinion.  Only you can decide what's best for you and your family.  Doodle kisses to Otis!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It really is a personal decision.  I like some space between dogs so that I can enjoy the puppy as well as devote extra time to its needs and training. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Yeah!! you have Otis!! great!! He is sooo cute! One word of advice--not sure if everyone agrees on this, but my breeder advises you to take it easy on stairs with a little pup--it can put a lot of strain on their hips--carry him up and down for a while until he is a bit bigger and the stairs are not so high for him.

[Ginny Nightingale]

PS Happy Birthday!!

[Brandi]

Magnet was 9 months old when we got Smudge, for us it was perfect timing.  Magnet was young enough to want to play with her and baby her too.  Everyone feels different, but I think anywhere from 9 months old to 1 yr old to add second dog is good timing.  My original thoughts were, "might as well jump right in the get the puppy thing over with instead of waiting, and dreading it, I was already in the puppy raising state of mind"  It felt right and worked out right for our family :)  Good luck and by the way, not many ppl have just one doodle for a reason, they are VERY addicting (my family has 6 total) lol