Hi, one of my pup owners has asked me to have him back for boarding for 3 nights. At which point he will be 4 1/2 months old. I have two bitches due in season around the same time. I have heard of a male pup aged just 5 months siring a litter (owned by a show breeder I know - obviously this was not planned !). Obviously, I cannot be sure in advance that anyone will definitely be in season over those few days, but whilst it is possible, would I be best just saying no, I am really sorry, I cannot take him on this occasion and explain why ? I suppose each dog is different, but if there is even just a small chance that he would try to mate one of my girls, then I can't take the risk and I don't want to have to keep anyone caged up for the duration !

> caged up for the duration

3 nights is not long to cage something, should you go ahead & someone is in season...If you are deciding against best to let them know straight away, so they can look elsewhere...maybe get them to have a plan B, with plan A being you have him unless you have someone in season???

If it was 3 weeks I'd say no but just 3 night I'd rather cage the bitches -I'd rather look after the pup myself knowing it was well looked after and not having to go in kennels so young.

I'm with the others - for 3 nights you should be able to manage with crates and rotating. He probably won't be particularly interested at that age, if they do come in, but of course rather safe than sorry, keep them separate. :-)

Agree with other posts, 3 nights is not a long time and probably unlikely that both bitches will be hot at the same time. Even so he is still only a very young puppy and unlikely to want to mate, I know some males are very forward but I think that is the exception rather than the rule.
At least you know he will be safe with you in familiar suroundings and smells, rather than being scared and alone in boarding kennels.
Just put them in seperate rooms if you need to.

Hi thanks for the replies. I wouldn't have expected her to kennel him, but I did think if people on here had advised against having him back, then I would have asked her if she had a family member or a friend whom might well have been able to have him instead (or just have them in reserve just in case). We do have plenty of space, but with children around, there is always that chance doors might be left open accidently. I suppose rotating with the cages is probably the safest option.

I think I would encourage the children to get involved, they can be a big help, and a bit of praise and reward and bribery goes a long way with children.
Helps them to learn responsibility, and care and provided you make it fun and they can see a reason for shutting doors. Could be along the lines of keeping puppy safe and away from dangers. I am sure they will love to see a puppy they knew as a tiny baby now a little more grown, and also your own puppy will be delighted to have a playmate for a few days.

Thanks, my children are very sensible and are used to having to be careful etc but I don't keep boys and never have done, so this would be a totally new experience - maybe it makes me feel more nervous than it should but I just don't want to take any chances. Pups own Mum could be in season !

im sure ull be fine :-) and have a good time with him! :-) x

I have to agree with the others, it is a short stay.

At his age he may not be interested in the girls other than to play with, one of my males was 7 months old when his Mum,sister and my other bitch came into season and he behaved as normal, still took the precaution of crating the lads when I wasn't able to watch them.

Hope all goes to plan.

Cavlover sure it will all be fine and in no way was I trying to have a go at you or your children, you sound very sensible.
Having had children myself (now grown up) sometimes something like this is a good opportunity to reinforce rules like opening doors etc. without being accused of nagging !!! I know I was always paranoid about them and their friends shutting gates and doors, and they would always say YES !!! We Know !! But on the odd occasion they would be excited, in a rush and a gate wasn't shut properly.
It is a big responsibility minding someone else's dog even though you bred him, so I commend you for looking at all angles and making sure there are no accidents.

Thank you :-) , the children are really good at keeping doors/gates shut due to us having the dogs. I was just mainly worried about our youngest who is only 5 he could accidentally leave an interior door open and allow the pup to mix with the girls when my back is turned (or let them all out in the garden together for eg). It is a massive responsibility looking after someone elses dog I totally agree - especially one so young, but I am sure he will be fine. In truth, I am just hoping that as he is so young, he will show no interest in the girls if they are in season. But we will be watching him like a hawk and make full use of the cages, no matter what. As everyone has pointed out, it is only for 3 days. As I said, I am particularly anxious as we have never had a male dog - the only time any of my girls have been in season and in the company of an entire dog has been when we have taken them to be mated (stud dog owner has been always an experienced show breeder). Thanks again to everyone.

>I was just mainly worried about our youngest who is only 5 he could accidentally leave an interior door open

Not only your 5 year old.  :-)  :-) 

My ADULT dog sitter let this happen!  So it isn't just people with children that need to be careful.  :-)

Yep i agree my adult children and oh can be worse than kids !

Yes, my hubby is terrible at remembering this sort of thing, luckily nowadays I only have 1 old neutered boy who doesn't show much interest. Must remember to start popping him in the lounge when I go to work next week as I have a girl on day 5. I think you'll be fine with your puppy if you keep an eye out and use crates when you can't be watching them, he probably won't be too interested, and they may well not be at the most interesting point anyway. :-)

Yes, good point Jean, I think I will have to sit everyone down for a pep talk before he arrives if anyone is in season just to reinforce matters, but ultimately it will be me watching pups every movement! I could not keep boys !! (although a neutered one would be so nice, since I feel like we miss out !)