We've Added to Our Family

[SamsonsMom]

Well - some of you know I've been looking to add a 2nd doodle. I wasn't planning on adding until December-January. But seems strange things happen. I've met some other doodle mommies in my immediate area. One doodle mommy emailed me and said that another lady had emailed her looking to rehome her 2 yr old F1B male doodle.

After several emails between the doodle mommy - and the doodle owner looking to rehome, I met "Henry" on Friday. Henry's story goes like this: Family moved to a house without a fenced yard. Henry would be taken for walks but spent a lot of the time in a crate due to no back yard and the lady did not have time to take him around to get enough exercise. Henry was trained - does well in the house, crate trained, etc.

When I went to meet Henry he immediately greeted me. He had a prong collar on - UGH - I asked why, she said because he sometimes forgets his leash manners when he sees a bird or squirrel. She said "doesn't Samson wear one". I said nope. I decided to bring him home to meet Samson.

Samson and Henry got along so well. No agression or fear from either. Henry also got along with Issac. Few bad points though - 1) Henry is not neutered and tries to mount Samson. Samson just sits to get Henry off, but I'm going to have to get him neutered. 2) Henry 'seems' on the skinny side to me. Owner said that he eats and stays lean....I've heard some of you say your doodles are on the lean side, but should I be able to see his hip bones? 3) Owner said that he sometimes got ear infections - so as a preventative measure she had been putting a little bit of a solution in his ears daily. She got the recipe off of a cocker spaniel group and it contains rubbing acholol, white vinigear and boric acid. Does that sound like something I want to continue? Boric acid doesn't seem like something to put into a dogs ear. He hasn't had an ear infection in a year.

He went to the vet, no parasites, vet said he is on the skinny side and to increase his food a little until he puts on a little weight. I forgot to ask about the ear infection prevention recipe, but his ears looked fine when he went. His receptionist wasn't there, so I'm scheduling the neutering today. Vet said he wouldn't mind seeing Henry put on about 10 to 15 lbs before he gets neutered. He has been eating 100% of his food all weekend. Even ate all the lean ground beef and carrots I fed yesterday as a supplement. As soon as I put down breakfast this morning, he was at the food dish like I hadn't fed him in a week. I'm starting to wonder if the previous owner fed him regularly.

[Lucky Me]

Congratulations! Henry is one lucky boy to have found you!
From the sounds of it, I bet he was being neglected.... can't even imagine living life in a crate.
Satin balls will put on the needed weight.
http://www.holisticdog.org/Nutrition/Sa ... balls.html
Tuesday had an ear infection when I bought her....the vet gave me the stuff to treat it and sold me a bottle of " MalAceic Otic" to clean her ears with.
I use it when they smell a little funky or they look dirty.... your vet should carry it. You can clean wounds with it too and the bottle lasts a long time.
2 dogs.....boy are you in for some fun!

[KingstonTodd]

Congrats on your new doodle. You are in for some fun. You should not be able to see ribs, so fatten him up a bit. You can make satin balls or just feed a extra meal each day for a while. Some doodles are leaner, my Gus has a skinny ribcage so he looks leaner, but you can't see his ribs, just feel them. I wouldnt do anything daily to his ears, just treat them when they start to get dirty or smelly. I would want him neutered ASAP, but that is your vets call for safety. We got our rescue doen at 4 months old because we wanted to nip the "male" behaviour in the bud, and it stopped a day to two after that. This poor guy lived in his crate a lot? He will probably just love his new life with you. Lots of doodle kisses for you!!

[SamsonsMom]

Thanks guys! I have the Satin ball recipe and will make it this evening. I can see the last 2 ribs of his rib cage. The vet's opinion was he would like to see him gain weight before getting neutered but is 100% for getting him neutered soon, he rolled his eyes when I said his previous owner thought he was so gorgeous she might want to stud him out. I think he's worried that if there are any complications that make Henry not eat for a few days after the neutering, he would not do well and lose even more weight. Frankly I think my vet likes dogs on the "healthy" side of the weight scale. LOL.

And OMGosh - Samson and Henry playing is SO much fun to watch. I can tell I'm going to have my hands full - but so thankful that they have gotten along so well. Henry was a little overwhelming Friday and Saturday. He was so excited and just wanted to play constantly. But I think that was because of the freedom of being out of a crate. He calmed down a lot Sunday and seemed to be starting to understand our routine. Samson is showing him the ropes and Henry is showing Samson how to open doors. Yep Henry knows how to open the closet door the contains the dog food bag. LOL.

[SnickersMom]

Congratulations to you! We went from one labradoodle, to a labradoodle and Shih-tzu/poodle mix (is he a doodle, too??!!!). I can relate to the fun of watching them play! We've had the two now since March, and every day I'm still entertained by the way they play and interact with each other - even though Snickers is about 45 pounds, and Junior is about 12 pounds! They seem to know the right level of energy with which to play, and take turns being the instigator, etc. They "co-existed" for about 2 weeks, then they've been "all in" since then!

Have fun!

[Lucky Me]

My two are outside wrestling as I speak.... they are such good company for each other!
What is scarey is how they work together, just like the dinosaurs that worked together on the movie "Jaurastic Park".
I guess it is no different than trying to keep ahead of your own kids!

[lindamarie]

Congratulations!! You sound PERFECT for Henry!!
No!! A doodle should not be that skinny!! Poor baby!! I'm glad he found a good home with YOU!

[SamsonsMom]

Yeah I didn't think he should be that skinny. But wasn't exactly sure. I thought maybe since he's an F1B it was normal for him to have a more poodle-like body type than Samson, who is an F1. Samson is certainly not on the thin side, so right now I look like I have one doodle who eats - and one that doesn't. I'm sure in a couple weeks that'll change though.

He's a beautiful boy - I forgot to bring pictures but will post some tomorrow. He's completely white, hair is curly. Previous owner had just taken him to the groomer because his hair had become matted. So it's really a short cut right now. I can't wait to see how it looks when it gets longer. Oklahoma winters are cold - I plan on letting it grow out of the winter.

[SamsonsMom]

I've decided to skip the satin balls and feed regularly like I do Samson. Last night his stomach already looked plumper than Friday. I think he was not fed a steady and/or a good diet. So I think he just needs to be fed well and he'll gain weight steadily. I am increasing his dinner by 1/2 cup homecooked more than Samson gets until I can no longer see ribs.

Last night we all had salmon patties and veggies. And when I say all - I mean even me and Issac. Made a batch for the doggies and a seasoned batch for me and Issac. LOL Issac got a kick out of the fact we were eating the same thing as the dogs. He asked why I made him dog food for dinner.

And it was AWESOME!! 8:30 p.m. came - I had Issac in bed sleeping, each dog was sleeping and the house was so quiet! Usually Samson would still be wanting to play. I guess having a 2nd doodle in the house is wearing him out more. I actually was able to sit down and get some work done.

[utchuckd]

You're going to have to update your pic!

I've just had captain about 4 weeks now but can already see getting another eventually. May seriously look at the rescue/rehome thing tho cause this whole raising a puppy thing is very trying!

[SamsonsMom]

Originally Posted by utchuckd

May seriously look at the rescue/rehome thing tho cause this whole raising a puppy thing is very trying!

LOL getting a rescue/rehome can be trying also. WHOOOLE new set of problems - and behaviorally (especially if you get a adult dog) the dog is used to doing things 'his' way, or his 'old' families way. I will say I have been real lucky. Both doodle boys have adjusted fairly quickly to their new home. I think it's a doodle thing though - how they pick up a new routine so quickly.

[Jac]

Wow! I am late to this post but I am soooooo happy for you and for your new boy! He is so lucky that you found him! Congratulations to you all...can't wait to see him!

[lindamarie]

How is everything going?

[SamsonsMom]

Things are going really well!!! Henry has adjusted - and is putting on a little weight. Plus the nic the groomer gave him has healed up and hair has started to grow back. I have to remember sometimes that Henry is the 'adult' dog in the house at 2 years old and Samson is the puppy at only 8 months because half the time they reverse their roles. Samson is content after a lot of play with just laying with me on the couch. Henry, not so much. He is constantly exploring still.

And it is so awesome to watch the differences in their personalities. Henry is more protective, but also more open to new things. Samson is a lot more aware of the people around him and really watches to see what is going on before acting. Watching Samson I would think he was my older dog, he is actually acting a lot more mature than Henry. LOL.

Issac has claimed Henry as 'his' and has taken over the responsibility of feeding him breakfast and letting him out during the evening. I think Issac actually enjoys how active and how much Henry likes to explore. We played fetch the other night, Issac divided us onto teams, Issac & Henry - Me & Samson, I'd throw the ball across the yard and we'd all run to go get it. Best out of 5 won. Issac says his team won, but that's only because he counted the time Samson accidentantly dropped the ball out of his mouth once it was retrieved and Issac swooped in to pick it up. LOL. (And yep, my neighbors watched us play and now think we're nuts since I threw and than chased the ball...LOL)

[seazr]

Awwww!!! Congrats on a new family member!! Can't wait to see pics!! Dakota, in the summer is very much on the lean side; I attribute it to the poodle in him . . .