Springer Advice Please Questions

Thank you! I do have a real soft spot for Welsh Springers (and an uncanny tendency to bump into them!)
We stayed in a holiday cottage where the owners had one once, called William and he came to say hello every day!
(totally off topic - but who cares? )

There a friendly breed to say the least mine have been known to take themselves off in the local pub and go sit with a stranger, mind you they usually have a packet of crisps hehehe.

I guess it's more the bits in bold that concerned me (and again, not picking on you at all just preaching from experience)

Obviously the kennel part is up to you as there are plenty who kennel outside but knowing Springers the way I do I would NEVER house a Springer in a kennel outside.

You seem to be more concerned about your ability as a gundog trainer than the dog itself.

Am I right in saying you already own a dog who is quite wary of bolshy dogs? If so then a puppy is really not a good idea imo.

And again, just what I've read from your post so sorry if I've got it wrong in any way.

;o)

Pidge, could you qualify why "I would NEVER house a Springer in a kennel outside"

I am intrigued by that statement.

Steve

My friend breeds and works English her's are very happy in outside kennels.
Mind you Pidge did say in her experience which is limited to one dog.

Don't worry - I really appreciate what you have to say. If they weren't points that concerned me too, I wouldn't have posted them.

The only bit where I have maybe not come accross as intended is the impression that I care more about my ability to train a gundog than the dog itself. That may be how it read, but it's definitely not the case.

I am definitely a bit worried about introducing a new dog into the house because apart from a foster puppy when I had my old dog (sadly now dead) and before Dill, I've never had the experience of bringing in a young pup. I've deliberately made sure Dill mixes with as many well-socialised dogs as we can find and where we used to live, he was walked regularly with 2 patterdales and a collie and they all travelled in the same dogbox in the boot without incident. He also plays nicely with a very confident GSD pup at trials training, after one initial little warning snap.

I did wonder (if I went for it) what the best way of introducing the pup would be.

I always use a crate initially for the pup and let the older dog get used to it just "being there" if that makes sense.
I always find the older dogs tolerate the pup to a certain extent and when they've had enough give a small warning growl or a shove.
Except for spence that is who high tailed in upstairs when Dice arrived home and refused to come down for two days unless we put dice in the garage in a crate lol

Because I see my Springer as a family pet, in my family home. I know that he enjoys my company and I can't thn of anything worse than having him in a kennel outside while my husband and I are snuggled up on the sofa together. He is an equal part of our family.

As are all of my friend's Springers. IMO and experience (which is more than just owning one dog) Springers are people dogs and they thrive on human company and contact.

Oh how wrong you are.

Woody gets on fabulously with other dogs and is a lovely little chap, but I know a puppy would make him very uncomfortable and as much as I'd like one I would never feel happy risking it. His welfare is too important to me.

Only you know how your other dog will be though of course.