Puppy? Want advice.

[jadavi]

Hi. We are all set to pick up an 8 week pointer/ spaniel puppy tomorrow... Just wanted to run it by my beloved forum.
Any thoughts on the cross breed? Re children
Any ideas much appreciated as ever x

[miffy]

Haven't owned either of those breeds but generally get the puppy used to the children straight away.

Post piccies too

Miffy xx

[Rubybubbles]

I think with the right training any dog is lovely (although I have just got a cavalier king charles 10 weeks now heehee)

I have signed up for puppy classes which is something I never did with my old dog 12 years ago as I feel it will help me 're-learn' although she is doing very well with the children (only my own so far as not started childminding yet in new house, start settles on Monday) and her basic training from me she is great sit, down, off, NO (lots haha), no biting am very tired I forgot how much work they need but she is worth it. I am not crate training, but have an area for her to go to bed and when we are out.

[jadavi]

She is adorable!!
I was wondering if anyOne takes their dog on the school run?

[adele1985]

hi hun i got my pup (lab x golden retriver) 2 weeks before i started minding 2 years ago he got used of the kids very quickly but when i was minding he was in the garage (attached to the house so he could see what was going on through the baby gate) the main reason for this was i was minding with another minder who didnt think a puppy was good around the mindees

He was pritty good and came out at points during the day to play with the kids

6 months later i got another dog (german shapard) and they got on great she is also very good with the kids and to be honest alot calmer than the lab

When i started minding on my own (may last year) max was a little older so he just has the run of the house now (exept the playroom and play garden) hes so good with the kids and he spends most of the day like this

[AliceK]

I had an older dog when I started and he was the most placid laid back boy ever, he was a lurcher cross. Then last summer we got our puppy. A springer spaniel. All I can say about springers is that they have so much energy they never tire out. I used a crate with him which I have never done with previous dogs and it's proved to be a god send which he loves. Make sure he socialises with not just the kids but adults as well from day 1.
I wish you good luck, you're going to have a busy summer

xxxx

[Shar]

Sounds like you are going to have a very bouncy dog! Working breeds need lots of exercise. Lot's of fun.
I have always had dog's, GSD, Cocker Spaniel,Cavalier king Charles......
The Cavalier has been the calmest, laid back, happiest of all. She is in the kitchen when the mindees are here, for her and the children's safety.
Good luck and enjoy your new puppy!

[jadavi]

Thanks haha
I would like to have him around the kids eventually but will start with a stairgate to each room he is in and his crate. My worry is he may grow quite big which may be more scary. I'm also a bit concerned i can't give him all the exercise he needs. We will walk him before and after the mindees and he'll have the run of our fifty foot garden and play a lot with us. But it won't always be an hour and a half walks except on a weekend.
That's why I said do people take dogs on school runs....
Anyone know pointers ? I've never known one

Would still value feedback... We haven't paid yet....

[AliceK]

Thanks haha
I would like to have him around the kids eventually but will start with a stairgate to each room he is in and his crate. My worry is he may grow quite big which may be more scary. I'm also a bit concerned i can't give him all the exercise he needs. We will walk him before and after the mindees and he'll have the run of our fifty foot garden and play a lot with us. But it won't always be an hour and a half walks except on a weekend.
That's why I said do people take dogs on school runs....
Anyone know pointers ? I've never known one

Would still value feedback... We haven't paid yet....

I don't take mine on the school run as they don't allow dogs in the school grounds (understandably) and I would worry he might get stolen if I tied him up outside. When he was a puppy last summer I took him out for walks during the day with the little ones but he's bigger and stronger now and is a PITA on a lead and I can't control him on a lead with LO's to look after too. Off his lead he is lovely. We try and take him after work accross the field or the woods for a run but it doesn't happen every night. He can honestly run and run for miles and still want more, he is unstoppable, but during the day when I'm working he is happy enough to lounge around in the kitchen / chill-out area, it's what he's got used to now.

xxxx

[jadavi]

Thanks. Well we picked him up yesterday! Adorable pointer/spaniel but looking very spaniel like.
We're keeping his name Pip.
Trying to negotiate the boundaries between him and our cat and sorting out a fence in the garden etc. And a movable stairgate around downstairs rooms.
It's reassuring to hear others' stories. He will always be able to see us and that seems to be what he needs right now as he cries when he's alone
I hadn't realised you can only take for a regular walk 5 minutes for each month of their life which is only 45 mins by Xmas!!
So by then he will be well into our rythmn.
So this week it's introducing mindees to him. They've been advised to wear wellies for the nibbling!!

[sarahjane]

Congrats on your new family member. He will need loads and loads of socialisation so take him all over the place, carry him if necessary, he can go out before his injections as long as he isn't on the ground in places where loads of dogs have been. Expose him to as many different things in his first few weeks as you can and you will end up with a lovely dog.

You also need to train they children you look after. They need to learn to stay calm around him, he is a puppy and will be bitey for quite a while. Teach the children not to flap and run away but to stand their ground and turn their backs. If he gets over excited then pop him in his crate (if you have one) for a while for a sleep. Puppies are like children and don't know when to stop.

You have chosen a crossbreed of 2 very busy dogs, he will need very consistent training, short bursts on a regular basis. He will also get bored quickly, these are working breeds who require their minds to be stimulated.

The 5 minute rule is a good one, it protects their young joints and will ease you into the walking.

Good luck

[melco]

I am also looking to get a puppy, was looking at a pug or beagle. I think my parents would be happy but was just wondering what would need to be done with regards to paperwork. I take it you would do a risk assessment but what other things would need to be done? Thanks and the pictures of the other puppies are lovely!!

[jadavi]

Thanks Sarah Jane for the detailed help. Much appreciated.

[Louise_Oaktree]

I am also looking to get a puppy, was looking at a pug or beagle. I think my parents would be happy but was just wondering what would need to be done with regards to paperwork. I take it you would do a risk assessment but what other things would need to be done? Thanks and the pictures of the other puppies are lovely!!

I breed and show cocker spaniels so always have dogs and usually puppies around, I have a separate area in my garden where the children play and the dogs can't toilet so I am never worried about them coming into contact with it. Parents love this and have never had a parent not come because of the dogs.

I never leave dogs alone with children and usually they are in the kitchen or dog room so don't come into contact with the children, sometimes the older after school children will want to handle puppies and they do so supervised and wash hands afterwards.

You should have proof and record of regular worming and de-flea treatment and also make sure they are up to date with vaccinations and have proof to show Ofsted when they come.

I always make all parents aware of our pets in case of allergies.

[AliceK]

Thanks. Well we picked him up yesterday! Adorable pointer/spaniel but looking very spaniel like.
We're keeping his name Pip.
Trying to negotiate the boundaries between him and our cat and sorting out a fence in the garden etc. And a movable stairgate around downstairs rooms.
It's reassuring to hear others' stories. He will always be able to see us and that seems to be what he needs right now as he cries when he's alone
I hadn't realised you can only take for a regular walk 5 minutes for each month of their life which is only 45 mins by Xmas!!
So by then he will be well into our rythmn.
So this week it's introducing mindees to him. They've been advised to wear wellies for the nibbling!!

Pic please ????

xxxx