Hi All,

My partner and I are hoping to get two Springer puppies in the next couple of months, and are currently trying to do as much research as possible to prepare.
My partner would like to keep them in kennels in our garden, but I am worried that this may not be suitable for them? I have tried to research the question on the internet but so far with no results.

My main concerns are: will the puppies be happy living in kennels at night? Will this affect house training? When should they be introduced to the kennels? What size kennels are suitable?

I was thinking that an insulated kennel with a large galvanised fenced off run and security light would be acceptable? probably in total a 3m x 2m run and kennel?

From the little I have read, I was thinking that we should probably crate train them in the house before we introduce them to kennels as we don’t want them to soil the house when they are older, but would this cause them unnecessary stress to be moved from the house?

Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated!

We've just moved our 2 into a kennel and run from being in the house. They are 2 1/2 years and 1 1/2 years.

If we were to get another pup, we would initially have the pup in the house, probably with their own little area in the kitchen. We would look to keeping them in the house until they were about 6 months old before moving them out full-time to the kennel. In the intervening period we would get them used to the kennel and run by putting them out there during the day, for short periods growing to longer periods.

We did this with our 2, introducing them first to 1/2 day in the run, then a whole day in the run, then night time in the run. They've both taken to it really well. They have a kennel and then a run which measures about 3m x 2m. To date they haven't soiled in their run and will always wait until they are let out.

Good luck in your search for your puppies.

Thanks!

With your advice and having spoken to a couple of breeders today, I feel much more confident. We're going to keep them in the house for a few months and then gradually move them into kennels later on as suggested.

Infact, we found a lovely litter today with a great mum and good background, so looks like we'll have two new members to the family soon!

Hi!

I have two puppies (nearly 9 months now) and my husband was keen that they live outside - he thought that two springers would trash the house I managed to overrule him, saying that you could never expect a dog to be housetrained if they don't live in a house - and so far apart from the odd blip (which is usually funny afterwards) they have been no trouble...
I would like an outside kennel and run for them at some stage though - not necessarily to move to permanently, but i just think for the few hours i am at work in a morning, they would prefer an outside run to the boring old kitchen -

Good luck with your new arrivals, please post photos when you have them!

Haha,
Will definitely add photos when we get them.... soooo excited!
Glad that I'm not the only one struggling with this issue! Although its not my partner that insists they stay in an outside kennel, but the (*!%*) inlaws - as they part own our house and dont like dogs! Fortunately its a big house and large garden so the pups will be happy.

Hi! Good luck with your puppies. We have had two bitches for 5 weeks now and cant remember life without them. They constantly make me smile and are gorgeous, loving intelligent dogs.

I think you will be fine moving them into a kennel, but part of the kitchen would be good while they are younger. We have penned off half the kitchen (I would make a very high pen.. they are amazing escape artists!) and put a dog flap in the door with half the garden penned off too. They seem to love it!!! My boyfriend and neighbours check on them through the day and it would seem they much prefer to be outside, apart from when it’s raining!!

Personally I think having two is a great, but I haven’t had mine that long so watch this space!! They are good company, good playmates and wear each other out more!! It is double the mess…. But also double the fun!!

Look forward to hearing how you get on….. we can compare notes!!