Adding to Our Current Dogs

[RubyFakeNails]

Haven't posted on the doghouse before so be gentle.

Our family of 5 currently has 2 dogs. A wirehair fox terrier (Errol) and an irish terrier cross (Buddy). I've been looking at getting a new dog as we absolutely love them, my DD2 would really like a dog to be 'her' dog as DD1 and DS have both grown up with their 'own' dog. Anyway it wasn't something I've pursued too much but the opportunity has come up for us to have a border terrier puppy.

I just wanted to hear what the mn view was on border terriers?

Also both our dogs were rescue dogs and although they came to us young were both pretty much house trained already. I've had dogs before but I've never had to actually fully house train one. What do I need to do?

Is there anything else I should be thinking about that I've missed?

[RubyFakeNails]

Anyone? I need to make a decision by the end of the week ideally.

[RubyFakeNails]

My final Shameless Bump, although really no one?

[happydaze]

Hi,didn't want to see you unanswered even tho I havent posted on doghouse before either! We have two dogs, both came as puppies. The first was a while ago but with the second, he's nearly two now, we found that actually the housetraining was quite easy, he seemed to follow the older dog and picked up 'good' habits relatively quickly. Don't know if we were just lucky but I think having another dog in the house seemed to encourage good 'copying' behaviour! Going out in garden together at regular intervals was about all it took really. Sorry, not very scientific I know but worked for us x

[happydaze]

Ps and I love love love all terriers, they are very intelligent so that should help you too !

[RubyFakeNails]

Thanks Happy thats really reassuring. I think I'm just panicking because I always hear about the fuss over house training. Hopefully Buddy & Errol can be rolemodels for the new one.


Great to hear you love terriers, I've read a few threads where they seemed to be frowned upon so didn't know if 3 would be overdoing it. I've always found them the most manageable of dogs especially as they're quite little.

[Gorran]

I can't really impart any advice, given I'm a novice dog owner myself, but wanted to reply as you'd been good enough to respond to me - even if it's scared me witless, ha ha!

House training is currently a bit hit and miss with Daisy tbh. I think a lot of that is down to us though. We have two DDs who spend nearly all of their spare time in the garden, even when the weather's not good. So our back door is nearly always open, meaning that sometimes I think I'm guilty of just assuming Daisy will take herself out for the toilet, as opposed to me thinking 'it's been two hours, I'd better take her out now'. Also, I think a lot of the time she is going when she's outside, but I don't see her do it therefore missing opportunities to go mad with praise (all important I'm told) and a treat.

It's not as bad as it was (we haven't had a poo in the house for days now - hope I'm not tempting fate!) but could be better. Two wee accidents in the house today.

[RubyFakeNails]

Ok so I need to stock up on treats and pay attention. All useful tips.

I just know its going to be me who has to monitor it and I'll be the one cleaning up in the house so I'm hoping to minimise accidents as much as possible.

[Taken]

I have a two year old border. Brilliant with my child (7). Terriers are always on the go wanting to walk and play, so if your an active family then it will suit you.

I would walk the dog at least 2 and half miles in morning, short walk in afternoon and short walk in evening. Would play with her at different times in the day also.

Mine would love another dog to play with but not possible for us at present.
You probably won't need to play / walk it as much if it will have other dogs for company and to run around the garden with.

Their recall isn't the best. If mine is off the lead and see's a rabbit / squirrel she is off and won't come back till she is good and ready.

I don't think we made much head way in her training till she was at least a year (ish).
Not sure if this is a border trait but ours was a bit mad as a pup!

There are other people ( usually on here) that have border terriers so I'm sure they will give you more advice.

[sunflowerseeds]

Get a basic book of puppy care, which will tell you to not walk your new baby for 2 and a half miles!

[Taken]

The op wanted to hear views on borders in general. They don't stay puppies for long.

[RubyFakeNails]

Bloody Hell! 2 and a half miles?! 3 walks?! Is that really what Borders require? My dogs currently get one walk per day, although they have free reign in our garden.

I'm living in centralish London (Stoke Newington) and I don't tend to take the dogs off the lead that much, its only when we go out on the weekend but I will watch out for the recall.

I don't know if anyone knows much about my other breeds wirehair fox terrier and irish terrier cross with what we think is a schnauzer, but are Borders much more active than those breeds, I assumed as they're all terriers they would be in the same boat?

[Taken]

We did some research before getting ours and that's what we were advised. I think their breed were/are used for hunting rats and other pests around farms. So are always on the go.

I don't think we would do that amount if she had other dogs to play with. They would use a lot of energy that way too.

[Taken]

Also mine doesn't really play in garden. She could if she wanted, but never does.

If they get one good walk and loads of play time then sounds like it be fine.

They are lovely and friendly and we certainly wouldn't be without ours!

[AndWhenYouGetThere]

Not sure what the "Mumsnet" view of Borders is, but I love them! I grew up with a lovely one, who was too tall, with scruffy grizzle colouring, and a rounded tum, but SUCH a fantastic temperament.

He had 1 hr in the morning, and a 1/4-1/2 hr walk each evening, and seemed a pretty happy little chap.

[RubyFakeNails]

Ok thats sounding a bit better. Mine are constantly in the garden, charging up and down, monitoring the squirrel mafia etc so I'm hoping that'll be ok. They typically get about and hour once a day, can be more can be less but they're usually pretty exhausted and happy so I think we do alright. And on the weekend the invariably get time in fields/country park type places so am hoping this will be enough.

We do love a scruffy dog (I secretly year for a great big irish wolfhound) and with the dogs we've already got I do think a Border will be right for us. Plus having 3 cats I think the dogs need to equalise before we become like that milk advert.

Now I guess all I need to do is come up some names.

[Taken]

I think you seen two and a half miles and freaked - but that takes me less than an hour. So you are probably doing the same without realising

Good luck with the names.

[RubyFakeNails]

Thanks Taken I suppose I've never looked at how far I go (mainly as its a circle) but maybe it is about the same, I shall have to crack out the pedometer or more realistically Dh should

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