Hi all, this is a great site!

Mid October we brought home our two girls, Cleo is a GSP(shes now 19wks) and her sort-of sister, Izzy, a mixed Lab/Dalmatian(shes 16wks now). They are completely in love with each other, and us, as we are with them!

Heres their puppy blog with pics and videos(pics below too):

http://twothistime--wow.blogspot.com/

I've been training with both basic commands (name recognition, sit , shake, down, stay) and work with them together and separately--that is hard though as one hates being without the other. We have a very large yard(5+ acres) that has lots of wildlife(deer, turkey, dove, rabbbits, squirrels, etc--we're in the country) so outdoor excursions are always exciting.

Both kids are pretty much house trained--supervision is the way I roll--too much $$ involved in crate training for two--and we have a portable dog pen where I can keep them if I need to leave them alone for any time--they've been sleeping there util I was sure they'd go all night without accidents, and recently have been sleeping with us in our room(It got too cold downstairs even with the heater thats in there).

Here are my main issues--not problems since theyre still so young(my babies!):

leash walking-Cleo pulls like crazy unless I reign her in and keep her at my side. After reading in here so much info, I think I can lick that problem! Her sister is a "follower" and is just fine on a leash unlessher older sister finds something 'pull-worthy!' Our walks are about a mile and a half long. I have a Halti which I'll start to use soon, maybe it'll work, maybe not, we'll see ???

Recall-I've been reading about this as well, and must start using a leash. Cleo comes about 50% of the time without the leash, but I suspect thats because her lil sis is coming as well-lil sis will come when called if you've got her attention. So sounds like the leash recall training will help with this.

Outside play-they chase and play with each other until Cleo sees/hears birds in the shrubs, and off she goes! She points regularly, even at her sister! Its so very cute!!They are never unsupervised outdoors but one problem--they love mushrooms No ones been sick yet, but they sniff them out from under the leaves-much of your property is undeveloped and natural--Are there some sort of acceptable distractions I can use other than the standard ball and sticks we have for outdoor toys--I suspect she does this outta boredom.

God bless you for taking on two pups at once.  One is a hand full, and two...well you already know how much work it is.  Your pups are so cute.  Good for you also training both, it is good that you train them together and apart.  As far as toys outside, my kids spend the better part of nice weather days outside playing.  I keep balls of all sizes, rubber toy tires, tugs like the rings shown on another thread, very large real bones for chewing, and anything else that I can find that they might like in the backyard. I am constantly scouring pet stores for new ideas for outside toys. I think though the best entertainment for my furkids is the wildlife.  Belle and Halo and now Ringo love hunting the squirrels. Ringo has also started waiting for the birds to come to my feeders and pointing them.  They also play allot with each other. If I ever come up with a novel outdoor toy, I will be sure to post it here.

Good luck with your to kids.

Wow, two pups, one of which a GSP - you are brave - I couldn't do it!

Re crate: May still be a good investment, the pups will grow up big and boisterous and the pen may no longer work. The crate will keep them, and your house safe when you can't supervise them. It's also a good place for some "time out". I use it after baths, and before and after meals. Meaning, my dog gets to use it not I

Re recall: Never practice it off-leash. With such a crucial and potentially life-saving command, the success rate needs to be at or close to 100%, the only way to achieve that eventually, hopefully, is to never give the command unless you can enforce it (with a leash or better yet, a looooong check cord). Don't call the dog if you can NOT make her come - go get her instead. Give the command only once, then enforce it if needed. Make sure with everything you do, that the dog associates coming to you is a good thing (= food, praise, happiness)

Re leash walking: You've read the threads...find what works best for you but make sure that in the process, you are teaching them how not just merely preventing them from pulling. Not easy, especially with two!

Re mushroom sniffing. I am not sure that is boredom. Dogs see the world through their noses, and I bet these dogs see more world than other dogs. I sprinkle some quail scent on a tennis ball, throw it in a field or into shrubs (sometimes I don't even know where it lands) and have Tessa find it. She loves it and I love watching it. And while she's looking for the "quail ball", she doesn't dig up mushrooms...or worse.

Good luck with them! Did I say they're adorable? They are!

Thanks everyone! I've been missing my babies since I've been working(I substitute teach at our local schools) and my hubby is at home taking care of them. Sadly, he's having a rough time of it...I guess theyre so used to me and my taking care of them, he does things differently, and sometimes gets frustrated(good thing I'm home with them most times!)but he does love them. I have to be careful about instructing him lest I hurt his ego

Yes izzy's markings are great. I love Cleo's too...shes got this real pretty "V" at the base of her neck where the brown changes into the ticking(is that the word?), Izzy has a darling cowlick in the same spot!

I just got some books from the library, and though I try to train at least a few minutes every day(when ever opportunity arises!), I really need to get regular and work on recall-yes leashed. I hope I haven't done damage in taking them out and recalling without the leash-we have a very big yard and 5 acres so I do want them to enjoy it unleashed. If they don't come when called, I get them, or one comes and the other follows. I always praise and treat when they come inside.

For now thats all, I've got to get on the bal! no pun of course

Cleo -

One thing that might help your husband when you are teaching is if he could stick to your routine.  Dogs and puppies especially love a routine and I bet you have one with them even if you don't realize it.  I know if I break the routine my gang lets me know.  So, you might try writing down your routine and see if he will follow it.  My bet is it would make his job a lot easier, and if it is written down you wouldn't be telling him all the time.

I definately keep them in a routine, and he knows what it is, only problem is that hes sorta touchy about being told what to do... I let him know how I take care of them time-schedule wise, but he tends to do his own thing. I guess he'll figure it out eventually....I don't work too often, so thats a good thing at least until I get them trained better.

I think once they get older I'd like do so something meaningful with them, ie: therapy dogs. We have a good many retirement age ppl here, and facilities that use therapy dogs. I'll need to google that around here!

There is a thread on therapy dogs on here somewhere.  My oldest, Belle, is a therapy dog.  Right now we visit the Austin State Hospital and visit with kids of all ages.  She absolutely loves it.