fiveplusone

Thanks Trishm. I'm not that far south but O'Halloran Hill isn't too far to travel. :D

Hi, quick question for my Adelaide neighbours.....anybody know where I can buy the 4 x2 biscuits. (I'm south side of CBD) Or do most people buy online? if so which website Many thanks :D

I must admit I was a bit taken aback how big the new one was when we got it. And considering he was still quite happy in his small one I was glad I didn't go any bigger than that. I think they actually quite like being snug in a smaller crate, but they do say they should be able to stand up and turn around in it. As far as quality goes, the reason we bought the cheap one orignally was that we wanted to see what he was like in it (not having ever used a crate before) before spending lots of money on it, and once we saw he was fine in it for a few months and budget being tight (who's isn't!) I just thought I'd risk buying another cheap one and see how it goes.

Where did you buy the cheapies from?? And what sort of dog is it big enough for? The small one was from cheap as cheaps and was about 52cm high, 50cm wide and 70cm long. It fit the red mat (that puppy is on in photo) at a sqeeze. He's a 7 month GSP so not small and he was still happy to sleep in it all night just a few weekends ago. The new bigger crate (in the photo) is about 69cm high, 69cm wide and 102cm long and he can easily stretch out in it. I got it online from topbuys. I'm sure the more expensive ones are far better quality but so far we haven't had an issue with ours as he doesn't try to chew his way out of it. I don't use the crate for when we leave him alone as he goes outside into a big secure garden, but we do use it for overnight and zip it up and he's never once tried to get out of it. He's been sleeping in a soft crate since he was 8.5weeks old though so doesn't know any different I guess. We also used the small one while travelling in the car a few weeks ago too and after a bit of whinging slept in it for the duration of the 1.5 hour trip

I love the soft crates. Ours are used inside. Our first soft crate was a cheap one ($50) because we didn't know much about them and wanted to try it out. Its been fantastic and our pup slept soundly all night in it from the first day we got it. Even though it was a cheap one its still going strong and even though we've bought him a bigger one now he has grown we still use the old small one for car travel and used it for a recent camping trip. His new one is also a cheap one ($70) and its big enough for when he is fully grown. Its collapsible and also the cover comes off if you need to wash it (which I had to recently) and hang it on the line. I like the soft crates as I have floor boards and it doesn't matter if the crate is moved as it doesn't scratch the floor and they are also very light if you need to carry them or move them. This is the new bigger crate

I think I've fallen in love with a Great Dane just by reading about it!

Our current puppy is GSP number 3 for us and is just the best dog in the world. I love everything about them, especially that even though they are quite a big breed they think it perfectly natural that they should spend the evening curled up on your lap, even if your lap isn't big enough to accommodate them, they don't care as long as they are cuddled up with you. Interestingly they are often "not recommended" for first time dog owners but we are so glad that we didn't know this at the time otherwise we might have missed out on owning such wonderful dogs. We got our first GSP puppy when our first child was just 6 months old and he was just awesome with her, one of my favorite photos is of the two of them raiding the pantry together with stuff everywhere.....they were partners in crime! Now that baby is 17 years old and sleeps with our newest pup on her bed most nights (before I go in and tell him to get off and get on his bed!) and I feel like this new four legged 'baby' has completed our family.

Awesome! I think there should be dogs like this in every residental care facility on every shift!

How absolutely awesome! can I ask what sort of business it is? Also those of you that take your dogs to work do you find a downside is that if you have to leave them home some days they are don't cope too well being without you? http://www.smh.com.au/national/whos-that-d...90828-f2ip.html Love it!

How absolutely awesome! can I ask what sort of business it is? Also those of you that take your dogs to work do you find a downside is that if you have to leave them home some days they are don't cope too well being without you?

What an awesome photo poodlefan. How long did it take to get that shot....or where all the doggies so well behaved they all did as they were told??? ETA...oops, sorry (about being OT!)

He's temperament is great as the breed should be (GSP). He is my 3rd GSP and I adore the breed, but he is just really 'special'. He's only 7 months old so I guess he could turn into a teenage monster at anytime but I just feel like there is something different about him. He has a calmness about him that I haven't experienced with my other dogs (although he does have a typical GSP zoomie time everyday and goes totally beserk when you come home, even if you have only been gone for 5 minutes!) It could just be that I've found my 'heart' dog and has absolutely nothing to do with his breeding

I have 3 kids myself, all VERY different so thats why I was wondering about dogs specifically. I know breeders talk about choosing dogs with great temperaments to breed from so was wondering whether that meant that most of the time the temperament of the parents is replicated in the pups even with subsequent litters. Pity humans can't choose to breed like that!

Just a hypothetical question to those smart people here that know about these things. If you had a dog that was just the best in every way , behaved beautifully, awesome temperament, intelligent, gentle, loving, etc etc does that mean if you purchase another puppy later from a litter from the same parents, would you likely get another fantastic dog that is similar to the original pup? (assuming that the new pup is raised the same way as the first puppy, in the same enviroment by the same owners etc), or is it like human children where they can be very different even though they have the same parents? Just wondering, that's all, as I was thinking how incredibly blessed we have been with our puppy and couldn't imagine another dog being so good

Me......but I work from home...so it doesn't count

Hi, I'm close to Hyde Park I often go to Petstock in Melrose Park. Not too far to drive (on south Rd). They don't sell puppies/kittens. Not sure if they sell Artemis because I have never looked for it. I love my vets. Also close to Hyde Park. Hawthorn Vet Clinic on Old Belair Rd at Hawthorn (probably 5 minute drive from Hyde Park) Very close to Hyde Park is the "Orphanage" on Goodwood Rd. lots of people takes their doggies to the park there.

We never used a crate with our previous dogs many years ago, but did for this pup who is now 7 months old. It's the best thing we have ever bought. And if you thought it was just useful for dogs, think again. Here is a photo taken this morning of my daughter who isn't feeling very well. She said the dogs bed is more comfortable than hers!.....plus the puppy makes her "feel better" BTW....my daughter is 17 so its not just little kids who curl up in small places!

You've made me feel good.....my almost 7 month old poops about 3 times a day and I thought that was bad! Now I feel 3 is pretty good after all!

RM, I had the same problem about a month ago (pup is now 6.5 months old). We would have blood all over the place (even found it on my bed!) especially when he was having a good chew of his soft toys and would leave them everywhere (teddies got washed a lot!). We even had teeth on the floor where they would fall out as he was chewing something! All good now though

Thinking of you Jed, and your precious animals too.

My GSP howls when he plays with a particular squeeky toy. I used to have to take it away when I was working in case a business phone call came in while he was howling....not very professional! He's killed said toy now, so no more howling!

I have a 6 month old male GSP. At some point we would like to get another dog (next year). We have previously had two male (desexed) GSP's many years ago. They were about 3 years apart in age. we never had any issues with them in the couple of years that we had to the two of them. This time we would possibly consider a different breed (English Springer Spaniel) but if we decided against that then it would be another GSP or possibly English Pointer. Should we get another male (new dog would be desexed regardless of gender) or would a female be better? Would it depend on what breed we get ie if its a smaller breed dog get a female but if its the same breed get a male????? I've only ever experienced having two males together so was just interested in what things I needed to consider.

We picked our pup up from Adelaide airport too (I see you are from SA so assuming you are too?). Luckily the whole family came along to pick him up so I had plenty of hands on deck to help out! Have you considered a soft crate? We got one after he had been with us about 3 or 4 days and it was the best thing we did. He is now 6 months and I've just up graded to a bigger soft crate that will be suitable even when he is fully grown. We bought the first one cheap ($50) and it was surprisingly good quality for the money, and being a soft crate very portable and light (can move it around floor boards very easily at our place from room to room, and also folds easily). He loves his crate and when I take him outside for his last wee before going to bed, as soon as we get back in he goes straight to his crate....its almost like he knows that I'm going to bed and its time for him to as well.