We've just moved to a new house with a big garden and are thinking of getting a dog. My daughter has been obsessed with Dalmatians for years (thanks Disney) and is pushing hard for us to get one. Anyone here got any experience with the breed and whether they're suitable for young children (4 and 5)?
One thing I know abut Dlmatians is that a lot of em go deaf.
I had heard that there's a congenital problem with Dalmatians hearing. Assuming I can find a puppy without the problem I was wondering how a Dalmatian is compared to say a Labrador which I have more experience with.
We've just moved to a new house with a big garden and are thinking of getting a dog. My daughter has been obsessed with Dalmatians for years (thanks Disney) and is pushing hard for us to get one. Anyone here got any experience with the breed and whether they're suitable for young children (4 and 5)?
One thing I know abut Dlmatians is that a lot of em go deaf.
I had heard that there's a congenital problem with Dalmatians hearing. Assuming I can find a puppy without the problem I was wondering how a Dalmatian is compared to say a Labrador which I have more experience with.
You can't get a white lab with black spots for a start ; )
Loki's (our king charles) recall is pretty poor, plus he's started nipping people who try and stroke him who aren't in his inner circle ( me and the wife, or others who spend a lot of time getting to know him and stick around) be also barks a lot at other dogs when on the lead, tail wagging away.
@t.c.e. i'd be more than willing to part with a few quid if you could offer some advice with him, he's such a potenially nice dog, just can't trust him with people.
Firstly Recall. I was taught and still believe this is a game of bluff with the dog, he knows if you go home without him you likely to get killed by the good lady. So you are rightly to scared to let him off the lead, get yourself a 50' training lead (please, not an extending lead) hook him up and let him go. Recall him, jump up and down waving your arms and scream like spanner after going one nil down (get the voice as high pitched as possible) deep voice to a dog = b*ll*cking high pitch = playtime. The dog will come back just to enquire as to your mental health, but he will come back. As I tell a lot of people, its all about making yourself more interesting than a pile of Dogs*it or whatever else he's found. I can't remember your dogs age, from memory is he about JJ's age? 18mths ish?? So assuming he got out of the mouthing at puppy stage, he's now telling your visitors that he's in charge after you guys and your visitors are way down the pecking order.
Diego is much the same he just wants to play with every dog when walking it's not great as others stroll on by and he's desperately trying to get over to say hi.
We had a trainer for a while but they're so expensive, plus Diego isn't food driven... so most of their tactics don't work.
Honest answer please. A dog approaches, do you........... A, wrap the lead 3 times around your hand, dig your heels in and brace yourself? B, Tell the little old lady as she passes, he just wants to play? C, distract your dog with his favourite toy, treat etc. D, do nothing and hope for the best?
All dogs are food driven, its up to you to find out what they'll work for. Why should they work for a handful of dry grub, they know they'll get that at teatime. Hotdog sausages, cheese etc. I'd wager £100 to the Upbeats I'd get your dog responding to grub in an hour.
icelands sell tins of them for a pound or try putting a chicken wing in your pocket (uncooked) before you go out, let him see you do it. Whenever you want his attention, reach for the pocket you'll get his attention if you get a clear round reward him with the chicken wing at the end of the walk.
Still very much work in progress with JJ, but after after identifying his fear aggression its separate walks from the other two meaning I walk the boys some eight and half miles per day. Building up his confidence with some tracking and the bite work. He's at the horrible age for dogs, adolescence! He doesn't know at the moment if he wants to bite another dog, shag it or just be mates. Here he is in his sponsored Upbeats tracking harness.
Loki's (our king charles) recall is pretty poor, plus he's started nipping people who try and stroke him who aren't in his inner circle ( me and the wife, or others who spend a lot of time getting to know him and stick around) be also barks a lot at other dogs when on the lead, tail wagging away.
@t.c.e. i'd be more than willing to part with a few quid if you could offer some advice with him, he's such a potenially nice dog, just can't trust him with people.
Firstly Recall. I was taught and still believe this is a game of bluff with the dog, he knows if you go home without him you likely to get killed by the good lady. So you are rightly to scared to let him off the lead, get yourself a 50' training lead (please, not an extending lead) hook him up and let him go. Recall him, jump up and down waving your arms and scream like spanner after going one nil down (get the voice as high pitched as possible) deep voice to a dog = b*ll*cking high pitch = playtime. The dog will come back just to enquire as to your mental health, but he will come back. As I tell a lot of people, its all about making yourself more interesting than a pile of Dogs*it or whatever else he's found. I can't remember your dogs age, from memory is he about JJ's age? 18mths ish?? So assuming he got out of the mouthing at puppy stage, he's now telling your visitors that he's in charge after you guys and your visitors are way down the pecking order.
I did having him doing recall, particularly after I spend a good bit of time walking and training him with nibbles. After a time however he lost the habit. He nearly always responds to a (yes high pitched) walkies call.. even when off the lead the daft thing.
I'm not scared to let him off its just annoying he doesn't always do it. I get the impression he's a one person dog, unfortunately (or fortunately) he's chose the wife for that.. I also think its just not a very obedient breed/hard to train in an environment with kids.
Just like recall, a bit of work doing fetch and he will do it, but again seems to forget the habit.
Interesting about the pitch of voice might explain a bit..
yes he's 20 months or so, will he grow out of the pecking order BS.. he started doing 'aggressive' stuff since between his first fireworks night and the second time we went on hols and left him with my Mum, this Easter just gone, could be age related then.
Loki's (our king charles) recall is pretty poor, plus he's started nipping people who try and stroke him who aren't in his inner circle ( me and the wife, or others who spend a lot of time getting to know him and stick around) be also barks a lot at other dogs when on the lead, tail wagging away.
@t.c.e. i'd be more than willing to part with a few quid if you could offer some advice with him, he's such a potenially nice dog, just can't trust him with people.
Firstly Recall. I was taught and still believe this is a game of bluff with the dog, he knows if you go home without him you likely to get killed by the good lady. So you are rightly to scared to let him off the lead, get yourself a 50' training lead (please, not an extending lead) hook him up and let him go. Recall him, jump up and down waving your arms and scream like spanner after going one nil down (get the voice as high pitched as possible) deep voice to a dog = b*ll*cking high pitch = playtime. The dog will come back just to enquire as to your mental health, but he will come back. As I tell a lot of people, its all about making yourself more interesting than a pile of Dogs*it or whatever else he's found. I can't remember your dogs age, from memory is he about JJ's age? 18mths ish?? So assuming he got out of the mouthing at puppy stage, he's now telling your visitors that he's in charge after you guys and your visitors are way down the pecking order.
I did having him doing recall, particularly after I spend a good bit of time walking and training him with nibbles. After a time however he lost the habit. He nearly always responds to a (yes high pitched) walkies call.. even when off the lead the daft thing.
I'm not scared to let him off its just annoying he doesn't always do it. I get the impression he's a one person dog, unfortunately (or fortunately) he's chose the wife for that.. I also think its just not a very obedient breed/hard to train in an environment with kids.
Just like recall, a bit of work doing fetch and he will do it, but again seems to forget the habit.
Interesting about the pitch of voice might explain a bit..
yes he's 20 months or so, will he grow out of the pecking order BS.. he started doing 'aggressive' stuff since between his first fireworks night and the second time we went on hols and left him with my Mum, this Easter just gone, could be age related then.
Recall & Fetch, try "ragging" with him. Get yourself a tug toy, tease your dog until he grabs it then shake him via the tug, talking to him telling him he's a strong boy once you feel him join in by shaking his head, release the tug telling him he's a clever lad (keep that pitch up) if you've made it enough fun he will bring the tug back for more if he don't then prolong the next session. Adolescent in my dogs, seemed to last at least 4 years with Bailey (neutered at almost 3) yet JJ at 19 months with still at least another 6mths minimum before he qualifies as an adult and obviously still entire shows no signs of scent marking for bitches, humping other dogs/blankets/soft toys although he will try to lead the pack when I walk the three of them together. If there are no other dogs Razil your dog will look for the weaker members of the family and work on them first, he wants to be as near to top dog as possible. He won't grow out of it, you have show him it's not acceptable any signs of dominance towards a family member. One of the easiest ways, likewise with any mouthing/biting is loud arrrrgh noise followed by leaving the room. If it's just you or the entire family do not have any more contact with the dog just leave and shut the door. The dog will relate any unacceptable behaviour with being left alone, on your return make no contact with him just sit down and ignore him for few minutes until your ready.
what about a whistle rather than a high pitch squeal, I am a bit too manly for that you see..
Lol, Redmidlands good lady told me, what would you find less butch? Screaming like a girl and your dog recalling or chasing your dog as he disappears over the hills?
With the German Sieger going on this weekend there are few videos doing the rounds of the German Shepherd doing what its good at when correctly trained and showing in this one how to be handled by a 5 year old. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czyrjDjQP_w
Dogs should be kept on leads at all times when out in public. I hate these dog owners that let there dog off the leads in parks when young kids are playing and also these other twats who do dog walking for a living....
They use public open spaces to walk the dogs sometimes 15 at a time and can't control them when off the lead...
We've had a distressing and frustrating time lately with Evie, our 10 year old Coton de Tulear.
Two weeks ago she had, over the course of two days, a series of three what I can only describe as seizures. Out of nowhere, her eyes glazed over, she was shaking uncontrollably, her limbs became quite rigid and she was unable to walk in a normal co-ordinated way - tottering sideways and backwards as much as any forward momentum. Each episode lasted about 10 seconds, but then left her trembling and panting for over 10 minutes.
Following our local vet examination and referral, on Monday of this week we took her to the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, at the Royal Vetinerary College in Hatfield, where she was seen by a specialist in canine neurological conditions. She was there for two days and had a full battery of tests including an MRI scan, brain/spinal fluid taken and tested, blood tests, ophthalmologist examination and blood pressure monitoring. The specialist and his staff were absolutely outstanding, showing great care for us and our pet as well as undoubted medical skills.
The good news is that all the tests are clear. No brain tumour (our worst fear), no canine epilepsy, no heart condition, no lungworm, all body organs functioning properly. The only slight issue was an elevated level of bile acids which, at extremely high levels, could trigger a seizure - but Evie's levels were only marginally above the normal range.
We are so relieved that the possible nastiest causes have been ruled out but that leaves us with a mystery. Since the three episodes referred to, she has appeared perfectly normal and healthy. The specialist has asked us to keep a diary and if possible a video recording of any further episodes and we can go back if/when required. The only thing we can think of is that these were some form of extreme stress/panic attacks - but there was no apparent trigger for those.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of problem with their dog? I would be very interested in any similar cases especially if there was a clear diagnosis and treatment plan.
RVC are fantastic, they sorted Bailey. Don't discount allergies though, Bailey recently lost the hair on his snout, turned out its a nettle allergy. So it doesn't necessarily have to be diet.
RVC are fantastic, they sorted Bailey. Don't discount allergies though, Bailey recently lost the hair on his snout, turned out its a nettle allergy. So it doesn't necessarily have to be diet.
Thanks T.C.E. Will raise this possibility with the specialist if there is a recurrence.
Loki nipped my nephew the other day, not good. Still trying to get a therapists to help us..
I'd be interested in what a behaviourist would say if he/she hadn't witnessed it Razil. I spent last Saturday with a German Shepherd with fear aggression and no recall. I asked for him to be let loose in my rented paddock and asked the owner to sit in her car for ten minutes while I went in with him. I just played tug with him for a while showed him what it's like to be a dog called the owner back to her dog that don't like strangers and runs off, doing some heel work with me ten minutes after we met. I was making a basic error with JJ causing him to react in certain situations. I collected him from the kennels only for him to react to a passing dog. I was asked in no uncertain terms if I'd forgotten basic dog handling training and was talking to much to my dog. Surely a behaviourist needs to see the behaviour before addressing the problem?
anyone had any experience with the practise of "tellington touch" or know a practitioner that you might recommend?
my dog gilbert a three year old rescue border collie, has nervous aggression, particularly at the vets.
he's improved tremendously in the 11 months I've had him but I'd like to see if we can get him comfortable at the vets because I've been fortunate so far, the treatment he's needed to date hasn't required him to be touched but of course there will come a time when he will.
Like you T.C.E., I have had German Shepherds for years, my last one died in July 2009, one month off of 14 years old. Because my wife (who went to a lot of dog shows many years ago), has always admired and wanted a Borzoi, we now have one. He is now 3 years old, never having a sight hound, who has nowhere the intelligence of a GSD, I have found his training very difficult. I took him to puppy training, where, although coming out top of the class, was very nervous around other dogs, (who were all smaller). My main problem now is, he loves people, and wants to meet everyone, (thank goodness), but he wants to chase every animal he sees, (dogs, cats, squirrels, etc), and I do not think it is to be friendly. I have tried meeting him with other dogs, but on the couple of occasions he did, he lunged forward, so I cannot trust him. Being a Borzoi, he rarely barks, but I can hear the growling in his chest, which others cannot hear. I have tried the food technique, which being greedy, works up to a point, but I don't think this behaviour will stop, until he is probably too old to do it. Unfortunately, in every other way, he is a lovely dog.
Comments
I was taught and still believe this is a game of bluff with the dog, he knows if you go home without him you likely to get killed by the good lady.
So you are rightly to scared to let him off the lead, get yourself a 50' training lead (please, not an extending lead) hook him up and let him go. Recall him, jump up and down waving your arms and scream like spanner after going one nil down (get the voice as high pitched as possible) deep voice to a dog = b*ll*cking high pitch = playtime. The dog will come back just to enquire as to your mental health, but he will come back. As I tell a lot of people, its all about making yourself more interesting than a pile of Dogs*it or whatever else he's found.
I can't remember your dogs age, from memory is he about JJ's age? 18mths ish??
So assuming he got out of the mouthing at puppy stage, he's now telling your visitors that he's in charge after you guys and your visitors are way down the pecking order.
A dog approaches, do you...........
A, wrap the lead 3 times around your hand, dig your heels in and brace yourself?
B, Tell the little old lady as she passes, he just wants to play?
C, distract your dog with his favourite toy, treat etc.
D, do nothing and hope for the best?
All dogs are food driven, its up to you to find out what they'll work for. Why should they work for a handful of dry grub, they know they'll get that at teatime. Hotdog sausages, cheese etc. I'd wager £100 to the Upbeats I'd get your dog responding to grub in an hour.
May have to try some human style meaty treats, hot dog sausages haven't been tried...
Even his favourite cheese doesn't work anymore.
Here he is in his sponsored Upbeats tracking harness.
I'm not scared to let him off its just annoying he doesn't always do it. I get the impression he's a one person dog, unfortunately (or fortunately) he's chose the wife for that.. I also think its just not a very obedient breed/hard to train in an environment with kids.
Just like recall, a bit of work doing fetch and he will do it, but again seems to forget the habit.
Interesting about the pitch of voice might explain a bit..
yes he's 20 months or so, will he grow out of the pecking order BS.. he started doing 'aggressive' stuff since between his first fireworks night and the second time we went on hols and left him with my Mum, this Easter just gone, could be age related then.
Adolescent in my dogs, seemed to last at least 4 years with Bailey (neutered at almost 3) yet JJ at 19 months with still at least another 6mths minimum before he qualifies as an adult and obviously still entire shows no signs of scent marking for bitches, humping other dogs/blankets/soft toys although he will try to lead the pack when I walk the three of them together. If there are no other dogs Razil your dog will look for the weaker members of the family and work on them first, he wants to be as near to top dog as possible. He won't grow out of it, you have show him it's not acceptable any signs of dominance towards a family member. One of the easiest ways, likewise with any mouthing/biting is loud arrrrgh noise followed by leaving the room. If it's just you or the entire family do not have any more contact with the dog just leave and shut the door. The dog will relate any unacceptable behaviour with being left alone, on your return make no contact with him just sit down and ignore him for few minutes until your ready.
Redmidlands good lady told me, what would you find less butch? Screaming like a girl and your dog recalling or chasing your dog as he disappears over the hills?
Paddy. 4yrs old. Manchester terrier. Missing 7.30am 03/09/15 in New Cross, South East London. Docked tail. Contact Sarah Louise Bourke on 07719162758.
If anyone fin ds him, or hears anything let us know! Thanks guys.
Good luck with finding him.
They use public open spaces to walk the dogs sometimes 15 at a time and can't control them when off the lead...
Two weeks ago she had, over the course of two days, a series of three what I can only describe as seizures. Out of nowhere, her eyes glazed over, she was shaking uncontrollably, her limbs became quite rigid and she was unable to walk in a normal co-ordinated way - tottering sideways and backwards as much as any forward momentum. Each episode lasted about 10 seconds, but then left her trembling and panting for over 10 minutes.
Following our local vet examination and referral, on Monday of this week we took her to the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, at the Royal Vetinerary College in Hatfield, where she was seen by a specialist in canine neurological conditions. She was there for two days and had a full battery of tests including an MRI scan, brain/spinal fluid taken and tested, blood tests, ophthalmologist examination and blood pressure monitoring. The specialist and his staff were absolutely outstanding, showing great care for us and our pet as well as undoubted medical skills.
The good news is that all the tests are clear. No brain tumour (our worst fear), no canine epilepsy, no heart condition, no lungworm, all body organs functioning properly. The only slight issue was an elevated level of bile acids which, at extremely high levels, could trigger a seizure - but Evie's levels were only marginally above the normal range.
We are so relieved that the possible nastiest causes have been ruled out but that leaves us with a mystery. Since the three episodes referred to, she has appeared perfectly normal and healthy. The specialist has asked us to keep a diary and if possible a video recording of any further episodes and we can go back if/when required. The only thing we can think of is that these were some form of extreme stress/panic attacks - but there was no apparent trigger for those.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of problem with their dog? I would be very interested in any similar cases especially if there was a clear diagnosis and treatment plan.
Thanks.
Yes they found the little bugger, having the time of his life in a local park
Davo could it be an allergy? Could an animal react that way to something like that?
Loki nipped my nephew the other day, not good. Still trying to get a therapists to help us..
I asked for him to be let loose in my rented paddock and asked the owner to sit in her car for ten minutes while I went in with him. I just played tug with him for a while showed him what it's like to be a dog called the owner back to her dog that don't like strangers and runs off, doing some heel work with me ten minutes after we met. I was making a basic error with JJ causing him to react in certain situations. I collected him from the kennels only for him to react to a passing dog. I was asked in no uncertain terms if I'd forgotten basic dog handling training and was talking to much to my dog. Surely a behaviourist needs to see the behaviour before addressing the problem?
Detling
my dog gilbert a three year old rescue border collie, has nervous aggression, particularly at the vets.
he's improved tremendously in the 11 months I've had him but I'd like to see if we can get him comfortable at the vets because I've been fortunate so far, the treatment he's needed to date hasn't required him to be touched but of course there will come a time when he will.