Hi,
Have found wonderful cocker breeders who have very kindly agreed to hold my puppy until beg Sept,when the pup will be 13 weeks, as horrendous family health problems make it impossible to do so earlier. I am so grateful to this lady, but wonder if the pup will still be able to bond to me, and should I treat him as an 8 week old pup, or should I take into account that he'll be older,for instance in housetraining,etc?? I was thinking of sending an item of clothing with my scent on it to send to the breeder so it would prepare my pup. Would that be ok? Thanks for any help

What ever age you get your pup guest you'll have to start housetraining at the very beginning. Bonding shouldn't be any problem worth worrying about and I think it's a nice idea to send something with your scent on it. A piece of vet bed or something might be more useful than clothing. Take it nearer to the time when you are going to bring the pup home and then you can bring it back with you with a few of his own familiar scents on it as well (like his Mums) to help him through the early days.
Lara x

Your pup will still bond with you dont worry :)
Rescue dogs & older dogs are proof of later bonding
Good luck
Lel