PUPPY SITTING

The following advice is really intended for James and Kate, but could be useful for anyone who offers to puppy sit for us at any time!!
1) Remember they are only babies and that they will not necessarily do what YOU want them to do, unless you bribe them with treats! These are kept in the appropriately labelled 'Dog Treats' box which is kept on the windowsill in the breakfast room. Just break off tiny bits of the treat sticks when ever you want them to do something, let them see the treat, then give the command - Come, Sit, Down - always accompanied by the puppies name. Rose will always sit beautifully if she knows there's a treat. Lily will try to jump, but MUST be sitting before she is given it.
2) They have a lot of wees and need access to outdoors nearly all the time. However, they still need to be reminded, so if you go out first with their treats and say, 'Come Lily, Come Rose, Sit,' give them their treat then RUSH back into the house and SHUT THE DOOR, they will go for a wee and quite possibly a poop too. Poop needs to be scooped up and put into the 'Poop Bucket.' (When you're rushing back inside and shutting the door, check that the puppies haven't beaten you to it!!)
3) A sign that they need to go for a wee or a poop is when they start sniffing the floor and/or walking round in circles. If they are inside when they are doing this, you need to get them outside as fast as possible.
4) They WILL sleep during the day. Usually they just flop down in one of the little beds and, if you close the safety gate, you could just leave them in the breakfast room while you go elsewhere to recover for a bit. However, I usually lift them gently and put them in their crate because I think they sleep longer in there. This may not be a wise move for you though, because I know how excited they get when they see you and it might just wake them up again - so you decide what you think is best.
5) They will need lunch at 1.00 and tea at 5.00. I will leave this ready made up in containers. Each container will have enough food for both puppies. It just needs a little warm water adding to it before putting it in their bowls.
6) Although their play area is pretty secure, just check that, if someone comes to the door, the gate is shut securely afterwards.
7) They CAN go out for a walk, but don't expect them to be very good at this! If you DO  take them out you will need poop bags which are kept in the cupboard by the wine rack and a pocketful of treats. Use the treats to encourage them to walk close to you - or even to walk at all in Roses's case!
8) We find that using a quiet but firm voice is the best way of getting them to do as they're told. Shouting doesn't work and only upsets them, because they often don't realise why they're being shouted at. If they ARE doing something really naughty, try to distract them with their toys.
9) They DO playfight. This can sound quite fierce, but is natural. They'll soon stop!
10) Remember THEY ARE HARD WORK!!! You will probably be shattered by the time we get home and I apologise for this in advance. I hope you have a lovely day with them!!