Hi and welcome to ST, we have a pup with a 5 year old and a 3 year old and have found that as long as they know the rules they all get along fine. ie once Poppy is in her crate she is off limits as that is her space. If you havent got a crate it really is a great idea to get one so that the pup has his own space if the children get too much! And that Poppy is not allowed to jump up them (Im working on that one)
Also I have found my DD (5) is really getting into training Poppy (with me watching and helping of course!) where as my DS thinks Poppy is his best friend and will play running and racing with her for hours All in all they get along great and both love having her with our family. I think it was a wise choice to not to get two pups, With the kids im sure two would have sent me over the edge
Hope to talk soon

thanks Naomi....Poppy looks gorgeous by the way..

I have read a lot about crate training...but confused at to what I use it for...the pup will eventually be living outside in a fantastic run....he came from working dogs as I said above and is used to outside life already which is great...obviously though he will stay inside initially..I would reckon until after Christmas and would begin to phase in a move outside....so the crate is used in the house as a time out/ sleeping place then..?????
I am planning to leave the pup outside during the day when Jo is at work 4 hours a day...and have a neighbour check on him every day....whilst he will have a kennel within the run area...I take it I dont need to move the crate outside for him during the day...is it purely an in house thing?????

I'll betcha you don't end up putting him outside.... brrrrr it'll be chilly after Christmas you wait n see he'll be snuggled up on your sofa

yes crate training - great for pups to sleep in their crates - start off with door open, and feed puppy in crate so he sees it as a good place to go.

You say he comes from working stock, are you going to work him or is he going to be a pet dog ?

No I don't intend to work him, although I would love him to be as well trained as a working dog to the whistle if I could...it would make life so much easier...but I guess I will just have to try it and see how it goes....

and in the beginning your probably right about the sofa....
although if he stays there I might end up out in the run with him...

Paul

You don't fool me one bit. You are just a great big softy

Check out ebay in your area for a crate and also freecycle (you could always ask for one on freecycle - you might be lucky). I think there is a link on here for crate training. Another reason to have one is come Christmas and New Year if you want to go to family events, you can take the crate with you and pop him in it in the kitchen or somewhere near so he can watch the activities without wrecking the place. I use my crate now for foster dogs when they first arrive if they are anxious, somewhere to put Brodie whilst waiting for him to dry out after a walk (I have an open plan house with carpets LOL) and old Hamish uses it as a den when he wants some time out. I cover it with a blanket so it is like a wee den and makes him feel safe. It's also great for stacking the ironing on. And you might need it if he ever hurts himself and needs to be kept quiet.

And get a proper gun dog whistle - not one of those metal things from the pet shop that always fall to bits. I use an acme one which is supposed to be for spaniels. Keep it on a cord around you neck so it is always to hand. You can get them on ebay but they should have one in the Spring Thing shop.

Ooh you are going to have such fun.

Cath

Two things most important with any dog - in my opinion. One - they come back when called or whistled. Two - they are a nice dog and get on with people and other dogs. The rest of it doesn't really matter, not really.
Betcha he doesn't go out into the run

I agree about the whistle! The couple I got my pups from had already had good results with one When I saw 11 pups at 6 weeks old, all come running towards the sound was proof enough for me that it was a must! Mine cost £5 from a gun shop.
I also agree about the crate,another must,if only for your new arrival to have some ME time. You will learn more about the crate uses as you go along, unfortunately I wasn't a member of this forum then, but have since got some excellent advice and tips.

Good luck with your ickle one

Tracey x 2

Moxie had been from a gundog breeder and never indoors when I got her. I crate trained her, got a second-hand crate. She loves it. It is now her "safe" place.
It also makes toilet training much easier.
She has been an indoor dog since coming here.

I have whistle trained her, and I can tell you that it is a great moment when you are out with lots of other dogs and your dog comes straight back when you whistle. I use voice commands too (Moxie, come) and arm commands (bit more advanced!) I got my whistle and lanyard from the springer shop. It is how I was introduced to the forum.

Now I hope you put Ollie on all three pieces of paper........................

It's even better when 5 (or 6) dogs come to your whistle

btw tho, it's not the whistle that's magic, it's training it properly initially blow the whistle every time you feed your pup - thats your starting point

great advice about the whistle thanks..will look for a proper one now.....and I saw some great crates on ebay today....

well the naming cermony has taken place...the names including a couple of late runners were written down and drawn from the hat.....and I'm afraid to dissapoint Moxies mum, and myself, but straight in at No1 from right outside the chart was "Finn"...........not sure about myself....but considering we are Irish living in Scotland....thought it had a nice Irish ring about it.....
so time to start practicing......

No Finn........Drop that choclate cake.... Finn.......Finn.....Finn....where are you??

not sure if this right.....tried to get the photo of Finn from my phone.......bear in mind he was only 2 weeks when I took this....what do you think?

Great name. There are a few Finn's on here and they all sound so much fun.

Finn is good as it is short and sharp so good for training.

and don't go for a tiny puppy crate unless you get one really cheap as you will only have to get a bigger onr as the pup grows. You can always partition a bit off whilst he is still small so it is nice and snug for him.

I think I am getting far too excited about someone else's puppy.

I will shut up now

the crate I looked at was a good size Cath......so should do him for a while....and if I let him near the sofa there may well be room for me in there as well.....as long as he doesnt snore of course.....
seeing as your so excited about getting him....if I have any trouble I can call you first then...??????

OOOOh I have just seen him

I am back to being excited again.

He is absolutely fab and sooo cute. Lovely markings and he is a big boy for two weeks You must have taken a close up

Good choice Paul. He looks a sturdy pup.

Welcome to Spring Thing little Finn.

aye he is all rugged just like his new trainer.....
it was a bit of a close up though....camera phone pictures are never that good and it was getting a bit dark...we had chated for so long with the owners.....hence the dark photo....