2 dogs versus one

[Gina]

Hi all, does anyone have any thoughts on having two dogs versus one? I would like some company for my "lonely during the day", and "quite hyper during the night doodle"...he loves other dogs, and I think it would keep him company through the day. I have asked my friends that have two dogs, and they say they would never just have one...they have been great company to one another.

[fergie11]

I'd be nervous about 3 also. Throws off the balance as you said. That would be very cute to add a Chocolate to your group though. Or - like my favorite - a red one.

[Sandy (Rorie & Riley's Mom)]

We added Riley to our family two years after getting Rorie. Rorie is a very intelligent and demanding doodle. During the day she is a couch potato but when the whole family is home, she needs to be kept occupied. Before we had Riley, Rorie would endlessly bring us toys to throw for her. If we didn't occupy her, she would find her own fun (never good, lol!).

Now, Riley and her spend quite a bit of time wrestling and chasing each other. There are still times when she wants us (especially my older daughter) to play fetch with her but that game usually ends after about 15 minutes with Rorie dropping the toy on Riley's head, trying to entice him into a game of chase!

I'm not so sure that they keep each other occupied while we're not home. They both appear to sleep while we are gone and seem quite well rested when we get home. Although, they aren't left alone too often since I'm a stay-at-home Mom.

I love having two! There is nothing like watching two dogs play together. It's not so fun having to wipe the mud off or defrost 8 paws when coming indoors but it's well worth it!

[pam]

I have been wondering about this too, these dogs are so wonderful and I would like to know the pros and the cons of this dilemma

[Sandy (Rorie & Riley's Mom)]

I know everyone is different and has different circumstances but here are some of my pros and cons.

Pros:
Having two of the coolest dogs in the world!
They have live-in playmates of their own kind.
Twice as many cuddles, licks, happy faces.
In my case, the second doodle learned some things quicker by watching (and competing with) his sister!


Cons:
Increased cost of vet bills, kenneling, food, treats, etc. (We actually saved money on grooming because the price increased so much at our groomer's that we decided to groom ourselves, lol!)
Trying to find time to train each one and have some one-on-one time (at least occasionally) with each.


I walk them both together so there is no increased time for that. It also doesn't take me any additonal time to feed or play with them because we do it with both at the same time. Brushing and bathing does take considerably more time. I do tend to keep their fur on the shorter side because neither they or I enjoy all the brushing! Cleaning up the yard after two only takes a couple extra minutes a day (less if I remember where they went, lol!)

I love having two doodles but a lot does depend on your lifestyle and how you fit them into it!

[fergie11]

I got my first doodle last April. She is so social - goes with me to a stable where there are 5 or 6 dogs. I always feel so bad for her when I bring her home and she's all alone. I am home during the day and my husband is home when I'm not so she almost always has us but that's not the same as another dog. I have a sister for her on order. I'm just waiting for her to be born. I'm feeling so bad that she's alone that I usually bring home a playmate to stay over a few days for her to play with. I know I won't have any trouble bringing in a new puppy. (Probably in April) I do agree with Lucy and Sophie's Mom though. Doodles do require some amount of work. But if you have the time and can afford it - I strongly recommend it. Do you have anyone that you could take care of - Maybe dogsit someone's dog while they go on vacation. That is how I'm showing my DH that this will work. He's now anxious for the new puppy to get here too.

[Gina]

so would you all think that a smaller dog of a different breed would be a good thing, one that is much much less time consuming? Because I agree, my doodle is super time-consuming.....and I dont know if I could work with two, I work full time, and so does my husband...and someday within the next 3 years, maybe I can stop working, but wont be before then!

[Sandy (Rorie & Riley's Mom)]

Realistically, any dog is going to be time consuming. Small dogs still need to be walked, trained, bathed, brushed (may not require as much time), played with, taken to the vet, fed, cleaned up after, etc. It just may not be the right time for you to get a second dog.

Another option could be doggy daycare. That way your first doodle would have other dogs to play with (even once a week) while you're gone and also tire him out so he isn't so hyper at night.

Good luck with your decision.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

I love having 2 doodles. We did get Kirby so Dexter would have company (we both work full time). We adopted Kirby when he was 1. I honestly don't feel like it's much more work to have 2. Just the normal extra costs you would expect.

[Diane Dolphin Rocker]

I was just discussing this with a client yesterday. I would never be a one dog family. My gaurdian home girl is an only dog-child (the cats don't count cause they won't wrestle!), and when she comes over, she doesn't want to leave. Now I know that she has a wonderful home to go to, with lots of attention and toys, but she just loves to be here playing with her buddies! I think the most important thing to do, if you decide to add another, is to make sure that your current dog is trained exactly as you want the puppy to behave. Because they will most definitely learn from the older dog....it seems especially true of the bad behaviors! If there is anything that you are not happy with in your current dog, make sure it is corrected before you bring the new puppy into the equation. Good luck!

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

I got my 2nd dog last August (2008). My first dog was only a year old at the time, but I don't think I could every have just one ever again. Now the pup is 7months old and doing great. They love each other so much and rarely are apart!!

I'm so happy now that they have each other. I don't worry as much if I'm spending enough time with them because I know they are so happy with each other.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Not to chime in again :) but I totally agree with what Lori said. When we get home from work from the driveway we can see Dex and Kirby - they are always sitting on the sofa in the front window (they actually share the same arm of the sofa). It's the cutest thing ever! They are totally calm and look very happy.

I feel so much less guilty leaving them now because I know they have each other. It's not a substitution for their time with us (they totally still want and ask for attention from us), however they are not so dependent on us and I think it's because they have each other.

[Adina P]

I love having two but agree with many of the 'warnings' above. IF you don't feel you can give your dog enough time NOW...it doesn't get easier to give two dogs your time. Yes, two can keep each other occupied playing, but if you want a well behaved dog it won't happen JUST because he has a playmate. Dogs can teach each other many things, but they don't truly 'train' each other -- I know other people say they do, but I disagree. I have spent months training Rosco to be obedient...I did really well (he's not perfect, but quite good), but it hasn't influenced Thule's response to commands one iota. Real training for solid obedience does not occur because one dog already knows how to sit on command. They may follow each other's lead around the house, but that doesn't mean they are 'trained' or that they will be obedient on their own outside the house. Also like someone else mentioned, most dogs sleep their day away...so they won't be necessarily playing their hearts out and be 'tired' when you get home. Not at all. Besides with a new dog you don't want to leave the dog free run of the house to play and get into trouble until he/she has matured and learned good house behavior. It MIGHT help 'loneliness' but if I recall the problem you were having (sorry if it wasn't you...I sometimes get doodles mixed up) was that your dogs energy was way high when you got home. Getting a second will NOT lower his energy level...it might help that you can toss them outside to romp away...but simply having another dog at home with him won't wear him out. They will be likely be sleeping while you are away (not playing) and new dog will/should be crated.

Otherwise if you WANT another dog because YOU want one and you think you will get more time at home ... then I would wait until that time and then plunge ahead into the world of two doggies! It's fun if you are ready =)