Hello, reaching out for general advice.
The possibility of 2 kelpie puppies coming to us has unfolded very quickly.
I have had dogs previously but other than the kelpie puppy we got when I was 6, they have all been adult rescues.
We lost our bestest boy, a kelpie/husky cross, about 20 months ago, and while everyone else has been ready for about a year, I have been the holdout, not yet ready. But, the past couple of months, I've known it's time. This week, an opportunity has come about, to potentially get 2 kelpy pups. We're leaning towards it, but it's not set in stone.
I grew up with a kelpie, she was my childhood dog. So I am very familiar with the intelligence, the energy levels, and the time requirements (re: walks, activities, socialisation) of adult kelpies.
Our bestest boy, was a kelpie/husky cross, but he had a rough go of it before he came to us. He never was fully comfortable inside on his own. He loved it if it was sit on the floor with one of us, but he wasn't comfortable if you just sort of had to go and wash dishes say, or sleeping inside anywhere other than the laundry. So it been about 15 years plus since I had regular inside dogs also.
Further, and the genesis of my core question, is that what I have no memory of, other than the car ride home 40 odd years ago, with my pup next to me, is what a puppy needs.
The logistics involved (pet insurance / reconnect with our vet / register them with the council) I'm across. Obviously the neutering, next round of vaccinations /worming etc.
And of course they need bedding, bowls, hi-nutrition puppy food etc. Toilet training, which I still remember from that Little Golden Book from when I was 4. (Positive only – never frighten them – and this was written in the 70s). Puppy obedience training from about 13 weeks
But what do they need beyond that? What is good for them? There'll be plenty of love and cuddles, and the two of them together for some company the times when we're not there. We are an active family, so wherever we go outdoors they can come, they can come to the kids soccer and netball training with me and watch, and go for little walks. They can come on hikes and all of the things we do as a family.
But, I guess, what I'm asking, is what is the best way to set up our house for them initially? We're down under in the mythical land of Oz (Australia), so it's coming into summer and warm weather, tending towards hot to very hot from this point on.
My dad was old school, dogs belong outside, never inside, so I don't remember toilet training or any sort of inside bedding or sleeping.
We're of course modern softies, so the pups would be inside the house with us. But where is best for them to sleep? How do we set it up? What bedding is best? How do we set up their area?
And when they come round with us, what kind of puppy carriers do people use, i.e. when we're walking carrying them? What kind is best?
And is a harness best for walking them? Or a lead? Apologies if these are obvious questions. All my googling is leading to people selling me stuff, which is fine, but I need to know what I need to know first.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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