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2 Puppies - Set up, Brisbane trainer recommendation & general advice


katherineaw
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I already have a 6 m/o cavalier and a 9-week old toy poodle arriving late next week.  I'm after some advice from the DogzOnline Brains Trust about the following:

  • physical set up of confinement space for two dogs for when I have to go to work  - do I confine them in an ex-pen together, or in separate ex-pens?  If separately, should they be next to each other so that they can interact through the fence?  I have two ex-pens and two crates, so can either separate them or give them a larger area together.
  • a recommendation for a trainer in the Brisbane area who can help me learn how to train them and help me start off some good behaviours.

 

My cav is about 90% toilet trained (hallelujah!).  Any accidents are usually due to me overestimating her tolerance for using the same pee pad twice (thank god I found a budget supplier where I can get 200 for about $40!).  I'm expecting some backsliding, but was considering that separate confinement might help minimise this - has anyone got any thoughts on this?

 

I did puppy school with my cav, mostly to give myself some sanity and understand I wasn't the only person in puppy-hell (as well as valuable socialisation, of course).  I'll probably do the same again with tpoodle, but was thinking 1-on-1 training where someone can come in and work with me and both dogs at the same time would be more valuable.

 

Disclaimer - yes, I've read a lot of articles around why 2 puppies simultaneously is a bad idea and more than twice the work. I've struggled to find any practical suggestions for what to do to manage it when/if it happens.  I'm aware that they will each need individual training and socialisation and walking and attention, to ensure the primary bond is with me and that they are independent dog-folks. 

Edited by katherineaw
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I'm someone who leaves my dogs indoors when I'm out so if I was in your position I would have 2 large pens (with a crate as a bed)....I would vary where the pens were, which puppy was in which pen, how close they are, swap toys, food enrichment etc. 

 

However, I've been able to limit my dogs' alone time to 4-6 hours as, although we can both work long hours, there's often a lot of cross over. My adult dogs also have full access to the house before getting another pup. I often would get up at 5am, train and exercise puppy (plus do emails and tidy up) so that by the time I left at 7-7.30am she'd be ready for sleep. It was hard work but so worth it. All my dogs will sleep until 11am given half a chance :laugh:

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Unfortunately I don't have a secure yard that she can be outside in while I'm away - although hopefully in a few months I'll be moving to a house with one!  I can easily give the Cav a more substantial section of the tiled living room, but haven't done so to date because as far as I can tell she sleeps all day and it's handy to keep the mess a little confined while I'm out! For at least a few months, I'll be going home at lunch, so realistically the puppies should only ever be alone for about 4-5 hours, but there's always that one day where something goes wrong.

 

I like the idea of varying locations, pens, toys etc and hadn't thought of that - thanks!  

 

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!00% agree with TSD on this but would just like to add that while varying placement of pens etc I personally would always ensure that the two, when home alone can always see each other. Two pens is really handy because they can share one pen while you are cleaning the other (I have a 12 week old high drive breed here ATM and she likes to help me clean her pen each morning AAARGH!)

Poodles, as a general rule, need a LOT more stimulation than Cavs and are very quick to figure things out - often these are things that you don't want them to figure out like how to climb right out of a pen and other unexpected discoveries!  You probably have a few weeks up your sleeve before you need to work really hard with her, but I  would be definitely budgeting much more time than your cav needed.:laugh:

Can't help with recommendations for a Brisbane based trainer, but I'm sure someone will chime in! Good luck and yes hard work but well worth the effort!

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Quote

Poodles, as a general rule, need a LOT more stimulation than Cavs and are very quick to figure things out - often these are things that you don't want them to figure out like how to climb right out of a pen and other unexpected discoveries!  You probably have a few weeks up your sleeve before you need to work really hard with her, but I  would be definitely budgeting much more time than your cav needed.

Oh dear.  The Cav mastered the escape about a month ago... Fortunately she only does so when I'm at home but out of sight, but yes... challenging!  I might need to upgrade to a taller x-pen reasonably quickly if the poodle is going to be even bouncier!

 

Hopefully the Poodle is also a bit more interested in stimulation - it took an amazing amount of persuasion to get her even a little bit interested in kongs and other enrichment toys!  Even now, she doesn't like playing with them all that much.

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23 hours ago, RuralPug said:

Poodles, as a general rule, need a LOT more stimulation than Cavs and are very quick to figure things out - often these are things that you don't want them to figure out like how to climb right out of a pen and other unexpected discoveries!  You probably have a few weeks up your sleeve before you need to work really hard with her, but I  would be definitely budgeting much more time than your cav needed.:laugh:

Hahaha don't they ever. My parents have quite an enterprising young toy poodle. He thoroughly enjoyed the escape room puzzles they provided, including ones with lids. :laugh:

 

Trainers: I don't know any personally but the Delta and PPGA websites are good places to look for positive reinforcement trainers. There's also Pawsitive Connection who are usually listed with PPGA but aren't appearing for some reason.

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Dontt under estimate a cavie ,there not lazy but a very functional sporting spaniel and great climbers the issue you will have is the cavie is going to crave activity ,it's at an age of wanting to be a dog and run,play,hunt birds etc etc .

Cavies need just the same stimulation as a Poodle if not more 

A sheet pegged to the pen will not stop a cavie you need a secure roof so the dogs will be safe whilst unattended 

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Thanks Showdog - yes, I've been very conscious that she's definitely a spaniel - she loves a good run and getting out and about.  We're spending a good chunk of time in off-leash parks where she can run around. 

 

I've booked a few sessions with Nicole from Synergy training, first session this weekend with just the Cavi - she gave a really tailored and thoughtful response to my enquiry, so I'm really looking forward to the session!

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  • 2 weeks later...

So, quick update - puppy 2 has arrived safe and sound.  He's a trooper - having flown in from out of state.  He's settled in an exercise pen in sight of my cavi, who is a bit put out over all the changes, but also quite accepting of the interloper.  We've been doing separate outings and separate trips to and from the toilet etc.  In a few weeks I'll be able to have one go to my parents house, while the other stays home, so that they can learn to spend longer periods at home alone, but there's no need to rush this I think.

 

I tell you what... the little poodle is making my cavalier look absolutely angelic (and helping me realise just how far we've come in the last 4 months).  She's so calm and chilled out, and he's just a bundle of beans trying to get to me at any minute, but it's not so long ago that I don't remember she was just as bad when she arrived!

 

They've had maybe 10 minutes of play together spread over 3 days, but that's it - other than sniffing through fences, which seems to happen every time one of them is out of their pens!

 

Next challenge... back to work on Monday!

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I will put some photos up as soon as I can work out the technology!

 

In the meantime I thought I'd share that this little poodle is, in fact, a monkey of the houdini variety... he is more than capable of climbing up and over the exercise pen wall.  In fact, the only reason he doesn't have free reign over the house is I have put a lid over his pen that is a little too heavy for his tiny head to lift.  However I'm sure it's only a matter of time...

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