Will an older goldendoodle's personality change with a new puppy?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Hi! I am new to this forum...what a great site! I have a 4 year old male goldendoodle named Toby and I am considering getting him a little brother goldendoodle :) I absolutely adore Toby, he is so sweet, loving, and gentle, yet so playful too. He's quite the lover boy; always leaning on me for attention, giving me hugs, and cuddling up on the couch. When he's in a playful mood he will do the cutest things like stalk me or tap me on the shoulder. Naturally since I think Toby is so great, I would like another one :) I also think Toby would really enjoy a playmate, every time we visit family or friends with dogs he's so happy. My only hesitation in getting another is I'm afraid of Toby's personality changing. Has anyone ever noticed any personality changes in their older dog after bringing in a new one?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Welcome. No, it's been great having two and Luca and Calla get along well. He was only 14 months when I got Calla. You'll find there is a group for everything here. you might want to join the Multiple doodles (or dogs) group.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Yes we did! And all for the BEST!
Samantha never really played with other dogs. She is 22 months old and was born with an old soul. She was always serious - which makes her the BEST foster mom!!
Our 1st foster brought out the puppy in Samantha. She started to play like a dog. When it was time for Mickey to go to his forever home, we decided to get another - hence, Charli. Such a different personality and Samantha just loves her!! When we go to the dog park, Samantha still only wants to play ball and not with other dogs but that's okay.
I love having the 2!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Do kids change when siblings are added to the family? It would be the same. Adding a dog to your family is usually a wonderful thing, but sometimes it takes a while for the dogs to accept each other and settle their place in the family. We never had a problem with dog aggression etc., however our Springer Spaniel was sad (we can look at pictures from a year ago and now and see the difference!), and even had some eating problems when we got Ned. It took quite a while but they are all happy now. The Springer is the non-alpha of our three, and Ned is a pushy pup. Our older dog has "raised" all of the dogs in the family. He is very nurturing, but puts the puppies (children's dogs included) in their place at the onset of their relationships.

[Laura and Bailey Brindi and coco]

ww have and they love each other and the first one is still the some my lover

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Oh Nancy. I feel for the springer. Do you think that since he was a non alpha dog he worried that his place in your family would be diminished? I'm so glad he is happy now!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Yes. We were shocked because we have a one-year-younger-than-Gordie "cousin" dog. Gordie never minded Welby (a Whippet) at all and he spent lots and lots of time here. Ned is rather pushy and Gordie doesn't know how to assert any authority at all. Ned stole Gordie's toys, food etc. Now they play tug of war with toys and chase at the dog park. Ned wins all of these contests but Gordie doesn't seem to mind. I think he finally realized that middle child is an ok place to be.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, I did notice a change - they only get better! I decided we would be a two-dog family when my son's shephard died about seven years ago and our standard poodle was left alone for the first time in his life. He cried until he lost his voice and then was depressed (we were at work and at school all day). I decided to get him a new companion and through a series of circumstances, ended up with Hondo (a labradoodle and the best dog I have ever had). Three years later, we got Groucho Too (a goldendoodle) to take the poodle's place when he was on his way out. Hondo didn't even notice when the poodle died because he was so involved with his new puppy. They have remained the best of friends and do everything together. I would anticipate that Toby would love his little playmate and take over the training. That is one of the best advantages of having two a few years apart. The older one does the training of the puppy also. Good luck.

[Julie B.]

I do notice changes some good, some not so good. Luah my 4 year old shows more jealousy by hugging my knees more and since I am down on the floor most of the time with the puppy she wants to crawl into my lap. On the other hand she gets to play more with me and she does enjoy the little bit of playtime she has with the pup. Playtimes will become more frequent and rowdy as my pup grows. She also gets training treats more often because as I work with the puppy I have to work with Luah too. I'll ask the puppy to sit for a treat and I'll ask Luah to roll over or give me a high five for her treat. Actually I think Luah gets even more attention than she used to now that the puppy is here. I don't think you can avoid the fact that your older doodle will change a bit with the addition of a new dog. These doodles of ours are VERY attached to their owners and that quality is one reason why we all love them so much... they will have to adjust to sharing their master!

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

They are adorable! Yankee was jealous too when I got Finn. He still sometimes acts like a bully but it's kinda like a big brother thing. If Finn wanders, he jumps him to punish him. Yankee doesn't like that he has to share my bed so he will sometimes sleep elsewhere. They play like crazy together. Yankee has shown that he will protect Finn if necessary. They adjust and there are some good and bad changes.

[Lynda Kamrath]

The salivating thing is so funny. We had a shephard who was three years old and we decided to get a poodle puppy. When we came home from handling the new puppy, she salivated uncontrollably at the smell on our hands. We didn't know if it was because she wanted to lick the puppy or wanted to eat the puppy. When we brought the puppy home a few days later, she again salivated and very soon began caring for the puppy. She thought it was her puppy and did all of his training. They were inseperable for nine years. When she died, the poodle cried until he lost his voice and was so depressed that we had to get him another dog. That's how we got started with doodles.
Give Toby a little time. He is just trying to figure out if this puppy is a guest or is he is there to stay. Then they will have to figure out the dog status between them. You don't need to interfere. They will get it all figured out. Enjoy.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Marley and Toby are both darling. Just give it some time. I don't think you need to make Toby be by Marley or visa versa.

[Julie B.]

I took a look at your home page and the picture of the puppy sleeping next to Toby says it all! I recently added another labradoodle pup to our family and I had a 4 year old doodle too. My puppy is now 10 weeks old and their play has gotten so much better. I just think it takes time for the puppy to mature and learn the do's and don'ts from the other dog. Once they begin to establish the play order things just get better from there. Sydney my puppy has learned you'd better not bother Luah when she's chewing her nylabone and Luah knows to "go easy" when she starts to race around when the puppy is outside with her. It's really great to see them learn about each other and to have fun together. I'm glad I have 2 but I was like you.. worried at first if it would work out.