....ok so as the week goes on i check on a variety of uk sites and rescue sites as i've always done only to discover that Keely's breeder is pairing the dam and sire again for the last time  so after lots of discussion and agonising (we hadnt planned to add another until later next year at least) we decided we couldnt pass up the opportunity to have another girl from that breeder and that pairing.  So, hopefully we'll have another girlie in February next year.  This is so exciting but agonising knowing that it'll feel like a lifetime waiting, but Keely's obedience just keeps improving but i would like the time (14/15 weeks approx) to prepare her and us for our new arrival.

So i was wondering if anyone can give any advice on this seeing as neither of us has ever done this before - i know it's a well-worn subject but i still cant use the search tool on here.  Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks. From what i remember the breeder gave us part of a blanket which had been in the whelping box with them.  We'll probably be visiting not long after they're born (due around xmas day) so i might give him something a bit more substantial to put in a few days before we pick her up.  The other thing i wondered about was the fact that we've got the 4 hour journey down there again.  I would imagine that we'll do the same as last time and go down the night before and pick her up early the next day before coming back up.  Any suggestions for her being in the car with Keely in close proximity for 4 hours, or is that maybe going to be a little too daunting? All these rookie questions - you'd think we were picking up our first dog

Thanks so much for the input - the journey logistics present a pretty specific (potential) problem, esp as it's 4 hours.  I could put Keely in kennels overnight but not keen to as i feel there will be enough upheaval when the pup comes without having her spend the night away from us beforehand.

She's used to being behind a dog guard in the defender but we'll need to take the old discovery on this journey so no dog guard in that.  I thought of maybe using this old-faithful hand-me-down soft crate for the pup and sitting in the back seat next to it (as i did with Kintra then Keely) and allow Keely free reign to go where she wants (within reason ).

Just to add another thought on adding a second dog, I read in a book once, it is best to add an opposite sex. So if you have a girl add a boy. I had a 10 year old girl Snickers  when we added Tornado 12 month old rescue Rocky GSP boy!! No problems, Snickers put him in his place right on the spot. Snickers was a one on energy and Rocky was 10 on energy so they really complimented each other and got along fine. They gave each other what each other needed. 

Most recently a friend of mine added another female dog to her present female and male dog pack. The female dogs did not get along. Both of the girl dogs loved  her boy dog.The females would just growl at each other when too close in the house. In the end my friend had to send the newly added female back as it did not work out.   It depends on each individual dog so you have to be careful when you add another addition. Good luck. Best wishes.

  To clarify : My friends Dogs who had the problem were adult Salukis. She was adding a 7 year old Adult female Saluki to her already pack of 7 yrold female Saluki and 3 year old male Saluki. Those adult Female Salukis flat out did not get along.  I read this article  long ago I think it was about adding a puppy in the home of a Senior Dog it would be best to add an opposite sex pup.Snickers Lab/Chese was 10 and Rocky was 12 months GSP wild puppy.  German Shorthair pups may be better adding new to homes than other breeds can be, like my friend experienced trying to add an adult Female Saluki.

Thanks Splat.  I knew that you meant a crate/cage, but i had already considered the idea of putting Keely in kennels for the night, but i'm happy knowing that's not required as i dont think Keely would react very well to that.  You're so right, the next 3 months will be the longest of my life.  The longest i've waited between deciding to get a pup and actually getting it was 3 weeks so this will be a shock to the system. I'm sure i'll get plenty of Pets at Home vouchers to prepare for her though seeing as my birthday and xmas will have come and went before we get her  Looks like she'll be a spoiled girl too

Thanks  It's amazing how much more determined i am in my leash training now that we've committed to getting another - Keely's getting there but i'll need to give myself a kick up the butt if i dont want 2 of them pulling me in different directions

Does anyone know how to undo itallics? I think i pressed shift or function and something else by accident with my big sausage fingers

Edited to add: s'okay, ctrl i