I used to have a springer/collie cross
. They are so easy to train because both the springer and the collie are so intelligent.
No way should a young pup be walked for 2 hours a day Kim, you will do it's bones serious damage. You have to start off with small walks and build up to the big ones once the dog is an adult. I think I was told a minutes walk for every week it is old, something like that! Or may be that only applies to the giant breeds. Any way if you walk your baby 10-15 mins a couple of times a day it will be fine if it is only 3 months old. Once it is over 7-8 months old you can start to do an hour or whatever as it should be full grown by then. Don't forget as well, not only does an intelligent pup need walks to exercise it's body, but it also has to exercise it's brain or it will get bored and start to chew up all kinds of things in the house.
I have to say, I have also been told that the best way to teach a pup to come back to you is to take it somewhere secure from the day you get it (or had all it's innoculations done) and let it off lead. That way, as they are unsure of their surroundings and not quite so confident they do stay close to you. It does work too, my daughters dog has been trained this way and never goes too far away from her, where ever they are. But everyone has different training ideas!
As for toilet training, I never bother with paper. When I have a new pup I spend all my time in a room with a door to the garden and the dog with me..... They are not allowed in any other room, or out of my site. As soon as they look like they are about to do something I whisk them outside, shut the door and wait for them to do it. Then I go overboard with telling them how good they are..... Never mind the neighbours!!! I have stood for hours in my garden in the rain in the past waiting for a certain pup to "go" as once outside she would change her mind!!!
Never smack, never shout, be patient and consistant and you will get there. With some dogs it will only take a week, but with others it will take a lot longer!!!
I definitly would suggest getting dog insurance as things do happen. Our Kitten needed an operation on his elbow, the cost of the original x-rays, op and the painkillers he was on for 4 months afterwards was over £1,000.... Thank goodness he was insured
