Hi Brian……..its your decision of course but I would never advise anyone to get two puppies at the same time. Wait until the first one is 18 months or so then get another one.

Anyhow…..back to crates. Its really up to the individual whether you crate your dogs or not. They are very useful though. Never use them as a punishment, crates should be a happy place for dogs to go. If you cover them, leaving the door section uncovered they make a great “den” and dogs love dens.

If you decide to carry on with the crates after housetraining you can leave the door open for the dog to go in and out as they wish. If you need to go out and make sure the dog is safe pop them in the crates. Its really not fair to leave a dog locked up for hours though. You can buy water bowls which clip on the crate so the dog has water too. 

Unless you are absolutely certain your dogs will be safe to roam around the house, plants are gone so they can’t chew on them ect then I would definately keep the crates. 

Good luck and have fun with your puppies! 

Hi again Brian, I understand your logic of having two puppies if you both work. Make sure you get a nice big cage so they have room to move-and think of them as adults when you buy it.
This is my personal opinion and I probably shouldn’t be airing it here lol
Having a puppy is, believe me, like having a baby in the house. To care for one puppy, housetrain, basic training, socialising and financial costs (believe me there will be) is very hard work and time consuming. To do all this for two is twice all of the above.
However, if you and your girlfriend are both prepared to dedicate a lot of time and effort to a puppy each it would work.
As for how long to leave them in crates….I know people leave puppies and dogs in them day in day out. Yours would have to be in crates for quite a while as you both work.
I guess its up to the owner but you may have problems with housetraining them….puppies ideally need to be put outside every hour or so for them to get the message.
I’m probably the wrong person to ask about this as I wouldn’t let a puppy go to someone who works all day…..again my personal opinion.
You seem to have given this a lot of thought and I’m sure it will all work out….it will be hard work for you both to start with though.
So good luck and enjoy your dogs.. I hope you have many happy years together. ?

Hello Ashlyn

I honestly wouldn’t take any chances with this situation. Contact your Vet for advice. 

Good luck. 

I agree, it takes time for a little pup to build confidence! He is tiny and just spending time with him in the yard working with his basic commands and puppy treats will get him confident. Soon he will be dragging you everywhere! I started carrying small tidbits of treats in my pocket and after pottying I would treat him. Then walking around the house with the leash attached to me as he gets older taught him to watch me and when he had that connection I would begun to walk side by side him outside and keep eye contact when I switched direction and he had to switch with me. I would give him the command to sit occasionally and then treat him. Soon I said his name…then pointed to my nose then a treat when he had eye contact. It takes time and patience to teach them to connect with you and time will build his or her confidence.

What can I add…take the advice of the Vet from this website !!

also she is swelled really bad and tender.

that poor baby.  someone just dumped her on you??!?

i’d get her to a vet immediately for a full checkup.

Thanks for your reply. This is the line I was thinking of taking so it has confirmed everything for me. The only thing I can’t do and am desperate to do is to take them for a walk together as the puppy hasn’t had his injections as yet. Thank you so much for your advice I shall certainly keep this in mind whilst settling everybody in!

Get some milk replacer at a pet store and get a baby bottle and feed him as much as he’ll twice a day no more than that and make sure to keep him warm so he doesn’t get to cold and die