Introducing Pippa!

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Well, Ive gone and done it. Added another Doodle. I gave it a lot of thought and really agonized over the decision to add a third dog to my pack. Ultimately I let fate decide. I  have been looking at this dog for a few weeks on the breeders website. Last week we went to the mountains in North Carolina to visit family and for the beautiful weather and views. We usually try to go every October. I told myself if she was still with the breeder when we went there then she was meant to be mine. I have never had 3 dogs in my life but I think I may have gotten lucky. Pippa is just the sweetest most laid back little girl. Daphne is my high energy Doodle so I figure how hard can it be right?? Pippa is 15 weeks old and an open-faced Goldendoodle. I have always been in love with the Golden Retriever so I thought this was my answer. DH definitely did not want a Golden again (we lost our 13 year old Golden to bone cancer a few years ago). This little dog looks like a Golden but she will be smaller and hopefully shed less than a full size Golden. She currently weighs 13.8 lbs. I am guessing she will be about 35 lbs give or take a few.

I think because she is a little older, she has given us no trouble. She started with an 8 hour car ride home with strangers and she took it really well. She goes into her crate at night and sleeps for at least 8 hours without a peep. She is not a "biter". She does like to chew on the appropriate things (bully horn, himalayan, rope toys) but not on me. The worst thing about her is her current food. The breeder was feeding her Puppy Chow. Oh how I hated buying that at the grocery store! Every time I put it in her bowl it makes me cringe. I feel like I am feeding poison to a baby! But that will all be over soon.

Daphne & Lucy seem to be getting used to her. Lucy really doesn't care much either way. She doesn't play much with toys or other dogs anyway so for her, life just goes on. Daphne was a bit indifferent at first. As my daughter says, Daphne is the Princess and more than a little spoiled! But she has started warming up to her. She always had to try so hard to get Lucy to play with her and that rarely happened. So now Daphne will have a playmate. She loves to run so she tries to get Pippa to chase her. Daphne is a very fast runner though so Pippa has a struggle to keep up with her. 

My biggest challenge will be to try to get three Doodles to look at me AND to stay in place so I can take their picture. I'm starting Pippa's training early but this is the best I could get  so far. 

So, do you think I'm crazy?? My DH thinks I am, but thats nothing new. Any tips for dealing with three will be much appreciated!

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Lynda, Im so sorry for your loss! I do remember reading about that. Sheepadoodles are so cute! And they usually have such pretty coloring.

[Mari Bezanson]

I have never had more than 2 dogs at a time, so I can not offer any advice.  I just have to say that they are beautiful dogs and you will have to let us know what your experience turns out to be.  Keep us posted for sure...

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Thank you! I will definitely be posting updates and lots of pictures if I can get them.

[Donna K & Quincy]

OMD, Congratulations, three beautiful girls that absolutely look like they belong together.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Thank you Donna! I think so far it is a really good fit. Pippa actually gets Lucy to play with her a little bit and that is something that never happens. Lucy plays with Daphne but has been known to growl at puppies in the puppy classes we went to for socialization. I just thought she had seen too many puppies since she had three litters of her own but she actually seems to like Pippa.

[BG and Gavin]

Omd how cute is little Pippa? Congrats. Looks like she is fitting in well.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Thanks BG! She is doing very well and Daphne and Lucy seem to accept her a little more each day.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Oh wow, I had no idea you were contemplating three! Pippa is adorable. I can't wait to see her grow. And the pictures are wonderful. I think you'll have no problems in that department.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Thank you Jarka! I actually wasn't "planning" on a third. Had no idea DH would actually let me. But I think he really likes her. As he gets older I think he is becoming more of a dog person..Lol!

[jenn D]

Congratulations! They are precious and you did a fabulous job of getting a great picture of all three! Welcome to the world of 3 (or more). My pack love each other and the only issue I have found with my boys is that a schedule is important for them and each one still needs special 1 on 1 time with a human. This might not be the case for every pack but I have found when I can devote some special 1 on 1 training and love to each of my boys, my pack as a whole runs smoother. :) I love your pack! Have fun!

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Thank you Jenn! I think that is great advice! I have been trying to pay extra attention to Daphne and Lucy. I greet them first when I come in the door and make sure I feed them first since they are the "seniors". Lucy is really indifferent towards her but she treats Baby Lyla (my daughters Golden) that way too. I think she has just seen too many puppies in her life (she is a former breeders dog). Daphne was a little stand offish at first but today they have spent most of the day playing and chasing each other. I do think that Princess Daphne (as my daughter calls her) would greatly benefit from the special one on one time. 

I went to your page to see your pack and you don't have many pictures there?? I would love to see them all!

[jenn D]

I need to put some pics up! Thanks for reminding me.