Daydreamer

Very interesting thread Our puppy arrives today so its great to read the replies, hopefully if I know what to look out for I won't miss too many cues!! Our rescue dog could hang on forever I think (especially if its raining outside!) otherwise he just gets a bit restless and looks at you with a really sad face

We got a doggy door a few weeks ago and have been trying to get our 6yr old dog used to it, he's doing ok but still waits at the other door to be let in . Our pup arrives tomorrow and the door we had meant we couldn't then use the laundry door as a 'human' door too. I've taken the doggy door out so we can show Nala outside to go for a wee and then will put it back in when she's a bit more settled or do you think this will be too confusing Good luck with your new puppy Sorry to hijack!!

Only 3 more sleeps before our puppy arrives We are new to showing and my daughter is wanting to do some show training (she's 16 in march) just wondered if anyone had done the show handling at canine centre in cannington? I enquired about the junior handlers for her but the dog has to be at least 12 months old Any advice/recommendations very welcome

Our dog during the day if its hot sleeps on the cool floor or on a beanbag, (which he seems to have claimed as his own) and sometimes on the couch........ he wouldnt dare get on the couch when we're in the room but sneaks on when we're not looking . At night he usually sleeps with my oldest daughter (nearly 16) ............. she was at a sleepover at the weekend so he slept with the other daughter instead, he obviously likes having someone to snuggle upto We've bought a crate for our new puppy which arrives in 2wks time and think that will be in our family room, depending on how the night training goes she may end up in our room but its quite a walk from our room to the back door and not sure if she could hang on that long

Thanks Can't wait, counting the minutes till she arrives and trying to stay sane It'll be my first experience of puppy breath!!

Thanks guys, it is a little scary this show business. We're nervous enough about getting a new puppy and trying not to stuff up the 'normal' puppy training/obedience :p

Hi ........ I have some news We get our Ridgeback puppy two weeks on friday She's a show dog and we're totally new to the showing side of things, not quite sure how we'll cope but we're willing to give it a go! How soon do you have to start booking your place, do I wait till we have her? Not too sure what her show name is yet and I assumed you'd have to put this on the form . Here's a photo of Nala

Thats a good idea.......thanks Obviously she's going to be the perfect pup and will be spotless when we collect her so probably won't need it but better to be safe than sorry Thanks to everyone for their ideas and top tips

i think the crate that she flies in is only for the trip and they keep them?

Thanks for all the replies, I'd better get out and measure my car to see if the one we're getting will fit in If not she'll have plenty of willing passengers to cuddle her on the way home - hope she doesn't stink too much

Hi We're getting a Rhodesian Ridgeback pup and pick her up from the airport in about 4wks time . I plan on crate training so will be getting a wire crate (xl) for at home but wondered if a soft crate will be ok in the car? The drive from the airport is about half an hour and the crate will also be used for general car travel once she's with us. Is a crate a better option than a harness? Never used either for our current dog so any advice appreciated

i use photobucket , upload pic than copy the last IMG code ,than go back to DOL click on your name , scroll to the bottom and click Edit my Signature ,paste the IMG code into the box than hit update my signature , when you leave a post for the first time make sure enable signature is ticked if you have any more questions you can message me i would be happy to help. Hi, thanks sooooooo much for your help, I've been trying for weeks to get it to work from Flickr (think I'll give up on that site). I got a photobucket account and it worked straight away Hope you like it

My daughter has made me a signature but I can't work out how i get it from Flickr to here!! Any ideas? Thanks

We got a Bono Fido bed, easy to clean, not too expensive. Got it from a WA pet store but found their website and they're in Victoria http://www.bonofido.com/s.nl/sc.11/category.2419/.f

Serket - thanks for the info and link

Not sure how the doggy door actually works - can you leave it open whilst your out or is it just for when your at home? If it can be used when your not home, we are getting a large breed dog so will need a BIG door - is it safe if you are not home? Obviously they'll have to get past the dog first Apologies to OP :p

Fantastic photos Keep us updated with how things are going, we have to wait a few months yet till we get our puppy and I'm trying to get as much info as possible before the big day

Fantastic photos - keep em coming

Great reading thanks We're hopefully getting a pup soon and am concerned about sibling rivalry!!

So sorry for you and Boss

Daydreamer, don't rule out eastern states breeders either (whatever breed you decide on) - flying a pup over here is not expensive. We had thought of that but isn't it better to see the pup before you buy? I also worry about scams where you pay your money and no pup arrives .

Hi Daydreamer, Try the German Shorthaired Pointer breed subforum with this too - If I knew how to cross post or attach a link for you I would...but I dont. Sorry Leila is our first GSP and is still only 7 months old. She is walked twice per day during the week - before and after work but on the weekends if we are home it might only be once. Leila spends most of her day sunbaking too! She is is a run so needs to get out and stretch her legs. I guess it depends on how big your back yard is too and if there is plenty of stimulation. We find that if we drop Leila off at a friends place to play all day with their dog, she is asleep as soon as she gets in the car! Also if she is in a bigger backyard she tends to go, go go and then crash at the end of the day. Personality must play a huge part too I reckon, Leila is so independent. Thanks for your reply Carey, its such a big decision and I just want it to be right for the new puppy as well as for the family . We are also in Perth so may be asking for your advice in the future too about breeders etc! - I'll go and check out the GSP subforum too xx

Hi, This is my first post on here although I have been 'browsing' for a while!! We are a family of five, 2 girls age 11, 15 and a male staffyX rescue dog age 6. We are looking to buy a female puppy and have narrowed our breed 'preference' down to 2 breeds, one of which is a GSP. My main question is do you think its feasable to have a gsp as a family pet with on average a half hour walk a day? I've read lots of posts about very active families and therefore active dogs and am beginning to worry that it would not be fair to the dog if we weren't giving it the exercise it really needs. Our dog at the minute is a very young dog and likes nothing better than having a good run on the beach like a mad thing but on the other hand is also happy to sunbake all day Any advice would be greatly appreciated Thanks