Tell me why I don't want another doodle

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Well, Yogi is now 7 1/2 months old he had been the very best puppy ever. I've wanted to get another doodle since I first thought about him.
DH said go for it this morning. So give me your best reasons I shouldn't do this. I thought I'd like to get one within the next 6 months so they will be near the same age and maybe also a little smaller like 25#'s. His mom and dad have been bred together again and due in another month or so.

Tell me why it's a bad idea ;-)
... Or if you must, why it's a good idea. Thanks!!!!!

[Marie and Hoka]

Exactly! Moxie was so used to her little pack, she was lonely when she was the last.  On the expenses, we are also lucky that the little one literally eats 1/2 cup of food, she doesn't shed and she can travel under my seat on a plane. She does bark enough for 4, though!

You have to have the right dogs together, then it works.  But it is hard to predict ahead of time.

(also, I realize how much I am still in mourning for Tinker and Torrey when I look at these pictures.  Hoka is his own dog and I love him dearly… but you cannot truly replace the loyalty and love of an 8 or 12 year old dog with a puppy!)

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Marie, I just love your pack! 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'm not one to always jump to the "if one is great, then two is better" speech.  I personally have had two, then one, then two again, with an occasional foster thrown in.  While I love having two, there are things that I caution about because they are things that I struggle with.  Outside of the initial financial aspect, which everyone talks about, because it really is true when you factor in Vet bills, grooming, heart worm, food, pet insurance, I think that one of the things that I worry about the most is their playing.  This may be because I've been through the CCL repair surgery and it isn't fun.  There is not a single time that I let my girls out together that I don't worry about one of them injuring the other.  Is it wonderful watching them run and play and chase each other ... you bet it is.  However, I never stop worrying about another knee or a broken bone!  Lucy's CCL surgery was almost 2 years ago now.  She has just now gotten to the point where she runs and tries to keep up with AnnaBelle.  We have had at least two "oh no" situations in that two years where we were just sure she had blown another knee but she recovered.  Right now she is better than she has been since way before her surgery (knock on wood).  While that is wonderful, that means I worry more because they are running and playing faster than ever.  Lucy used to just flop down on her back and fight with her legs.  Now she loves to run and chase etc.  So, going from one to two is something you really need to give a great deal of thought to.  Depends on where you are in your life.  If you are wanting to travel a lot, then it is double boarding unless you are lucky to have someone in the family to watch them.  Personally I would not get the second one until the first one is very well trained.  Our little AnnaBelle was so easy to train.  She looks to Lucy for her every move.  So, even though Lucy was 5 when AnnaBelle came in the picture there are some things I wish Lucy would have been better trained at before AnnaBelle came along ... like "COME".  When I yell come AnnaBelle starts towards the door, then looks at Lucy.  if Lucy isn't coming, then neither is AnnaBelle!    I really think it is such a personal decision based on your lifestyle and the amount of time and money that you want to devote to another doodle.  It is easy for all of us to say Oh yes, it is wonderful, go for it ... but you are the one living it!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Thanks for the very thoughtful reply. I appreciate it

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Ha! Doodles are addicting. We waited until our first one was 2 and then we went for another one. I truly cannot imagine having two puppies in the house. Heck, I thought getting a second one was a bad idea for a while:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/profiles/blogs/ramblings-of-a-very-tire...

Apart from more money, more food, more vet bills, more chaos in the house, it's fun. Especially if the two get together so well. And they do grow up fast.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Jarka,
I was able to read the other post from when you got your second doodle. Are things a lot better now, or
have you just settled into a routine that works? I know there is no guarantee what a second pup would be like. I guess that is partly the attraction. So how are things now?

[Ginny Nightingale]

HaHaHa!!! Can't oblige--I have three! And most of us with more than one would never go back to just one dog--it is usually the DH who blocks the purchase of additional dogs--but if yours says "go for it" then "go for it"! But make sure you are prepared for the expense--and some occasional frustrating moments when you sit down on the couch and are suddenly covered with dogs--they will outnumber you now! 2 against 1! :) 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

The idea of a couple dogs cuddling with me sounds great

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

I would recommend getting a dog of similar size.  Zoe is a mini and Ben is around 70 lbs.  Although they love each other and play well together Zoe is always a little too cautious because Ben is clumsy and likes to run her over!  

Good luck on getting your second :)  I love having two dogs but it IS really hard.  I love Zoe's personality and for some reason I thought all labradoodles would be as easy going but Ben is totally different.  I love his personality too but it's just different.  

[GBK]

Love having two :)  I waited until my first was 2 years and fully trained, it helped a lot, he did help train Kona.  My Buddy, the first, was the beasty child.  When the second came from the same breeder I was prepared.....  she was an awesome puppy, I was lucky.  Buddy is 60lbs and Kona is 32lbs, they play, bark, eat and sleep with us in bed.  I know he loves her, but Kona, the younger adores her big brother.  She is the sassy tease, and he get's sucked in every time.  I'd do two again in a heartbeat, and so would my hubby (who it took a year to convince to get the 2nd).

Good luck with your decision!

[Terrlyn]

This sounds very much like my two! First one is the crazy one, second one is an angel! I was prepared to have two crazies, what was I thinking lol

[Helen Wetherbee]

I think two dogs are easier than one, as they play together and exercise is less of a constant problem.