Bringing my boys home!

[Jane S]

Hope it works out for you! I do hope your breeder has made it clear she is willing to offer back up if things don't go well - a good breeder will use a contract where it states he/she will take back any dogs of their breeding if necessary (no matter for what reason or how old the dogs are). I only say this as just this week I have been contacted by 2 people who need to rehome their Cocker (one works full time and can't give their dog enough attention) and the other has 2 young male Cockers who fight constantly (not litter mates but only 6 months age difference). In both cases, the breeder does not want to know or says they can't help

[Neville]

I've been off the net at home for a while - have i missed something - when did Copper become two puppies?

We took a cardboard box, but Neville didn't like it, so OH and son sat with him between them in the back of the car and he slept all the way home- no probs! Our journey was nearly 3 hours from Peterborough to Manchester.

Look forward to hearing more - goog luck!

[Penel]

Very different having lived with dogs your whole life - to having two puppies of your own.  I take it you must work part time then, or have made arrangements for someone to look after the puppies during the day if you are working full time ?  I have lived with dogs my whole life too - but when I had my own (single) puppy it was a huge shock to my system, and I was 27 and really thought I was experienced..... how little I knew then     having two puppies means you will have to socialise them separately, train them separately - stop them bonding to each other instead of you, or they will have poor recall.... as Rhona W has found out, socialising two puppies together is extremeley difficult, as they stick together, and often become unsociable towards other dogs at a young age.  I don't know any trainers or behaviourists that would think it's a good idea to have two puppies together. (and I know lots of trainers and behaviourists)... having kennelled German Shepherds as police dogs is like a different world to having cocker spaniel puppies living in your house.........

[tadobunny]

Very different having lived with dogs your whole life - to having two puppies of your own.  I take it you must work part time then, or have made arrangements for someone to look after the puppies during the day if you are working full time ?  I have lived with dogs my whole life too - but when I had my own (single) puppy it was a huge shock to my system, and I was 27 and really thought I was experienced..... how little I knew then     having two puppies means you will have to socialise them separately, train them separately - stop them bonding to each other instead of you, or they will have poor recall.... as Rhona W has found out, socialising two puppies together is extremeley difficult, as they stick together, and often become unsociable towards other dogs at a young age.  I don't know any trainers or behaviourists that would think it's a good idea to have two puppies together. (and I know lots of trainers and behaviourists)... having kennelled German Shepherds as police dogs is like a different world to having cocker spaniel puppies living in your house.........

As i said before i do appreciate that your concerned, however i feel you are stepping over the line a little, this is our decesion to make and we have already made it, the breeder is a lovely women and she has assured me that if their are any problems she'll be on hand. I have already arranged individual training for them and as for my work, i am a freelance designer so i will have more than enough time to spend with them, having a pup/dog is a challenge for anyone regaurdless of their age.

Thanks

Helen x

[Rhona W]

having two puppies means you will have to socialise them separately, train them separately - stop them bonding to each other instead of you, or they will have poor recall.... as Rhona W has found out, socialising two puppies together is extremeley difficult, as they stick together, and often become unsociable towards other dogs at a young age. 

Yes I did have problems socialising my puppies with other dogs. But with persistance and time we are making great progress. (I think so anyway! Casper spent about 20 minutes last night playing with a 15 month old springer bitch.  ) I think Casper may have had problems socialising anyway as he is a shy dog, but that is something I will never know. We feel it was Reuben's socialising that suffered as he was more friendly, but seemed to feel a need to defend his brother. It was very worrying/stressful at times, but I don't know if I was expecting too much too soon. Never having had a puppy of my own before.    It is time consuming as we walk them seperately, but not what I would describe as hard work. And if you take on two puppies, you have to be prepared to devote a lot of time to them.
We do train them seperately. Reuben is the more intelligent of the two, so learns things more quickly. He is also more eager to please! In fact we stopped taking Casper to training school as he was so nervous and just work with him at home. We may take him back when he is more confident. Their recall is very good - they know they will get liver bread when they come! The only problem is getting one at a time to come back - it doesn't matter which one you call, they will both come as they don't want to miss out!  But they do know their own names.
I know Casper and Reuben are my first dogs as an adult so perhaps I'm wrong, but I really don't think/feel that bonding has been a problem. Reuben is very much my dog - he follows me around or waits at the stair gate for me to come back. Don't get me wrong - he doesn't have SA - he is quite happy being left with others or even on his own or with Casper, but if I am there he wants to be near me. Casper is more of a family dog and is happy as long as he can lie next to someone. And when/if they get scared when out walking, it is my legs they come and hide behind!
I do only work part time and being a teacher I have great holidays  so I have lots of time to devote to my dogs. And I am hopeful (won't say confident as they will hit adolescence any day now!  ) that with continued devotion, they will become lovely, well behaved (!) adult dogs. 

[Cob-Web]

having kennelled German Shepherds as police dogs is like a different world to having cocker spaniel puppies living in your house.........

Not just police dogs, but pets too.....I still can't get over quite how different training/living with Molo is when compared to the GSD's we have had in the past

I have met a lot of cockers since geting Molo and they all share characteristics that I have never seen in any of the GSD's we ever had/handled......so you may be in for the same culture shock as we had, Helen 

[Helen]

Very different having lived with dogs your whole life - to having two puppies of your own.  I take it you must work part time then, or have made arrangements for someone to look after the puppies during the day if you are working full time ?  I have lived with dogs my whole life too - but when I had my own (single) puppy it was a huge shock to my system, and I was 27 and really thought I was experienced..... how little I knew then     having two puppies means you will have to socialise them separately, train them separately - stop them bonding to each other instead of you, or they will have poor recall.... as Rhona W has found out, socialising two puppies together is extremeley difficult, as they stick together, and often become unsociable towards other dogs at a young age.  I don't know any trainers or behaviourists that would think it's a good idea to have two puppies together. (and I know lots of trainers and behaviourists)... having kennelled German Shepherds as police dogs is like a different world to having cocker spaniel puppies living in your house.........

As i said before i do appreciate that your concerned, however i feel you are stepping over the line a little, this is our decesion to make and we have already made it, the breeder is a lovely women and she has assured me that if their are any problems she'll be on hand. I have already arranged individual training for them and as for my work, i am a freelance designer so i will have more than enough time to spend with them, having a pup/dog is a challenge for anyone regaurdless of their age.

Thanks

Helen x

I don't think penel is stepping over any line - if you refer back to any threads regarding getting litter brothers/sisters the facts remain the same.  As you say it is your decision, but this is an open discussion forum and people are entitled to their viewpoints.


Most reputable breeders do not endorse getting 2 pups and actively discourage this, and I am surprised your breeder doesn't - and that she still has a puppy yet to sell.  And I agree, it would be irresponsible for this forum to recommend this practice as there are proven difficulties in raising 2 litter pups together.  

I'm not worried about your age, but your posts appear to be quite blase (your opinion of calming boy dogs down by 'chopping their balls off' springs to mind)  and people are entitled to give you a balanced view without your eyes clouded by puppy cuteness.

I really hope it all works out for you (and i hope that your training is not based on police dog alsation training!).  There is a vast difference in helping care for dogs and owning them (which I'm well aware of as Jarv is our first dog).

[tadobunny]

Very different having lived with dogs your whole life - to having two puppies of your own.  I take it you must work part time then, or have made arrangements for someone to look after the puppies during the day if you are working full time ?  I have lived with dogs my whole life too - but when I had my own (single) puppy it was a huge shock to my system, and I was 27 and really thought I was experienced..... how little I knew then     having two puppies means you will have to socialise them separately, train them separately - stop them bonding to each other instead of you, or they will have poor recall.... as Rhona W has found out, socialising two puppies together is extremeley difficult, as they stick together, and often become unsociable towards other dogs at a young age.  I don't know any trainers or behaviourists that would think it's a good idea to have two puppies together. (and I know lots of trainers and behaviourists)... having kennelled German Shepherds as police dogs is like a different world to having cocker spaniel puppies living in your house.........

As i said before i do appreciate that your concerned, however i feel you are stepping over the line a little, this is our decesion to make and we have already made it, the breeder is a lovely women and she has assured me that if their are any problems she'll be on hand. I have already arranged individual training for them and as for my work, i am a freelance designer so i will have more than enough time to spend with them, having a pup/dog is a challenge for anyone regaurdless of their age.

Thanks

Helen x

I don't think penel is stepping over any line - if you refer back to any threads regarding getting litter brothers/sisters the facts remain the same.  As you say it is your decision, but this is an open discussion forum and people are entitled to their viewpoints.


Most reputable breeders do not endorse getting 2 pups and actively discourage this, and I am surprised your breeder doesn't - and that she still has a puppy yet to sell.  And I agree, it would be irresponsible for this forum to recommend this practice as there are proven difficulties in raising 2 litter pups together. 

I'm not worried about your age, but your posts appear to be quite blase (your opinion of calming boy dogs down by 'chopping their balls off' springs to mind)  and people are entitled to give you a balanced view without your eyes clouded by puppy cuteness.

I really hope it all works out for you (and i hope that your training is not based on police dog alsation training!).  There is a vast difference in helping care for dogs and owning them (which I'm well aware of as Jarv is our first dog).

Hi There,

I understand it's a open forum thats why i said that i appreciate her opinion, i really mean that to. As for my blase comments, that was a joke, of course i wouldn't say that seriously! (the trouble with the internet, not being abe to convey tone!) This topic only started by me asking opinions on the best way to transport them home so i hope everyone understands that i am felt a little overwhelmed by the response. My training won't be based on police dog training sessions...thats not the part i helped with...didn't want to get mauled! My eyes are not clouded by puppy cuteness... more like heavy responsbility ahead
However, asking me questions about my working situation as if i would have considered this before even thinking of getting a pet i feel is a little much... everyone is entiled to thier own opinion.
I don't want this to sour our COL exprience as i think it's a great site,

Thanks

Helen x

[Rhona W]

However, asking me questions about my working situation as if i wouldn't have considered this before even thinking of getting a pet i feel is a little much...

Unfortunately Helen, you'd be surprised at the amount of people who do get a puppy without considering this!  I don't think you have mentioned your home/work situation in any of your posts, so it is natural for people to wonder. Everyone is just concerned for you and your puppies and want you to go into this (or not) with your eyes open to anything that may go wrong.   

[tadobunny]

I'm not...i promise

Helen x

[Mollycuddles]

You've obviously done your research and peeps are only commenting so as others will not think it's an easy task with two pups ( which it's not ) and hopefully they will do their research too.

As its two puppies I think it would be better to put them together in a crate for the journey home they may cry to start with but the motion of the car will soon settle them   ...

You must be so excited and I wish you all the best with your new pups  ... can't wait for updates ...

[tadobunny]

We are very excited!

Thank you

Helen x

[Joules]

As you say, this is an open forum and everyone is entitled to their opinion but really it is up to any individual to make their own decisions.  Telling Helen that she is taking on more than she can cope with and asking her questions about her ability to look after 2 pups could be read as somewhat condescending!  There are several people on here who have got litter mates and I doubt any of them would say they regret having 2 at the same time inspite of the inevitable challenges.  I have always seen the forum as an invaluable source of information and support and it would be a shame if anyone felt reluctant to post on here because of the disapproval they may receive!  As for having views clouded by puppy cuteness - surely that is a major factor in getting a pup?  Or did everyone else get theirs because they like cleaning up wee and poo, having their house destroyed, their precious things chewed, frequently being bitten and their routine turned upside down! If pups weren't cute, surely no one would want one!    It seems to me that Helen has thought about this seriously and I for one wish you all the luck and joy with your two new babies.    No doubt there will be many difficulties ahead and you may well wonder what you were thinking of  - there are challenges with all new puppies - but I am sure that we will all be here with support and non-judgemental advice when it is needed!   

[Jane S]

Nobody has been judgmental as far as I can see - other members have just wanted to make sure that Helen is aware of what she is taking on and the possible problems she may face. If every thread about taking on 2 puppies was confined to congratulatory comments only, people reading this board (remember many more read than post on here) would quite possibly get the wrong impression and perhaps think this is an easy option. Puppy cuteness may well be a factor in getting a puppy but forums like this are the ideal place to educate people about the realities of puppy ownership, warts and all, so that they are hopefully not swayed by cuteness alone. Helen has now made it clear that she has thought long and hard about her decision but it does no harm to re-iterate the negatives involved in buying 2 puppies, for the benefit of all who may read this forum now and in the future (remembering that all posts are archived for future reference).

[Penel]

Sorry if you feel I have stepped over the line - however, I still don't think you thought long and hard about it - one day you were getting one puppy - then the next day you were getting two....
I wish you lots of luck and hope it all works out.