merlin
Well-Known Member
....I'd like to pick some better brains than mine (not difficult....!)
And I know this isn't strictly 'deer dog' related, but I couldn't think where else to put the query.
So: background....I'm doing a bit of forward planning as my current gundog (used for game) will be 7 this year, and she's quite a big dog that covers a lot of ground on our shoot one/stand one syndicate, so I'm giving thought to lining up the next dog to succession plan for when she's too knackered to do full days. I'd like another spaniel (Mrs Merlin significantly less so!!), and my dogs live in the house rather than being kennelled outside. We currently have 2 dogs, but have the space for another.
I know where there is a 12mnth old sprocker which could - potentially - fit the bill, but my primary question is as follows:
The pup has been kennelled outside for the last 4-5 mnths or so; is it feasible and/or realistic to consider that it could be house-trained to be dry overnight etc at (a) the age it is , and (b) the fact that it has been kennelled outside? Or is that a total non-starter?
I'm not after suggestion of putting all of my dogs outside - that just isn't going to happen. I'd just like to gauge if this is realistic before I progress any further.
My sense is yes, it should be possible, just needs a bit of patience......what do you more-experienced dog guys think?
And I know this isn't strictly 'deer dog' related, but I couldn't think where else to put the query.
So: background....I'm doing a bit of forward planning as my current gundog (used for game) will be 7 this year, and she's quite a big dog that covers a lot of ground on our shoot one/stand one syndicate, so I'm giving thought to lining up the next dog to succession plan for when she's too knackered to do full days. I'd like another spaniel (Mrs Merlin significantly less so!!), and my dogs live in the house rather than being kennelled outside. We currently have 2 dogs, but have the space for another.
I know where there is a 12mnth old sprocker which could - potentially - fit the bill, but my primary question is as follows:
The pup has been kennelled outside for the last 4-5 mnths or so; is it feasible and/or realistic to consider that it could be house-trained to be dry overnight etc at (a) the age it is , and (b) the fact that it has been kennelled outside? Or is that a total non-starter?
I'm not after suggestion of putting all of my dogs outside - that just isn't going to happen. I'd just like to gauge if this is realistic before I progress any further.
My sense is yes, it should be possible, just needs a bit of patience......what do you more-experienced dog guys think?