New dog - home check advice please

vax2002

I would be more concerned how it ended up in a rescue centre in the first place.
Even the staff might not know the true story.

zartel

If your dalmation is anything like ours then I'd be more worried about him being able to dig under the fence. We've got a 6ft fence all around our garden so weren't too worried there. But the problem came once we got him home and he was happy in his new garden that he found where he could start to dig underneath. He was a rescue as well (he's actually a dalmation-pointer cross) and we were warned that he might like to dig.

Thankfully he's now grown out of that habit but we did have to spend a bit of time patching up around the bottom of the fence to stop him getting out. And as daft as he is though we wouldn't change him for the world!

trudij

My home check for my greyhound was great - the lady was lovely, had a look at the garden - said that even though our fence is only 4ft, she didnt have a problem with that, cos both sides next door had huge fencing and gates through - so the worst that could happen was that hed end up next door ! The only thing she did suggest was that I fenced off the pond so he didnt fall in.

Cup of coffee, bunch of sweet peas from the garden and a chat about him coming to work with me (more than happy with that,asked if hers could come too! - and completely open to him being left occasionally for up to 5 hours, "its completely impractical for most people to NEVER go out and sometimes,life conspires against you") and it was a done deal. No fuss, lovely lady and nowhere near as scary as I thought it would be.

good luck - hope it goes fantastically well for you

Gem_

Argh don't tell me that. The last one was a digger and could somehow though gaps which were smaller than his head :eek:

This is a dalmation x collie so there should be less breed tendency to dig?

Gem

zartel wrote: »

If your dalmation is anything like ours then I'd be more worried about him being able to dig under the fence. We've got a 6ft fence all around our garden so weren't too worried there. But the problem came once we got him home and he was happy in his new garden that he found where he could start to dig underneath. He was a rescue as well (he's actually a dalmation-pointer cross) and we were warned that he might like to dig.

Thankfully he's now grown out of that habit but we did have to spend a bit of time patching up around the bottom of the fence to stop him getting out. And as daft as he is though we wouldn't change him for the world!

zartel

You'll be fine, he learnt with some gentle persuasion from us that he shouldn't be doing it. He does still have one flower bed that he goes to but he that seem to be where he buries his toys or chews and its not by the fence so I'm not to bothered.

I think the key with a dalmatian is to make sure you keep them entertained and plenty of exercise otherwise they go a bit hyper.

I'm sure you'll have loads of fun with your new addition!

Gem_ wrote: »

Argh don't tell me that. The last one was a digger and could somehow though gaps which were smaller than his head :eek:

This is a dalmation x collie so there should be less breed tendency to dig?

Gem

Gem_

Thanks for all the help everyone. We passed with flying colours. Apparently the RSPCA around here only require a 4 foot fence (which seems very low for a dog of his size).

He has been really brilliantly behaved so far. Only two wees in the house (on his first day so he was nervous) and a tiny bit of crying when we went out for an hour.

He is doing recall, dropping a ball, sit, lie down, paw and get off (would be better if he didn't try to jump on the sofa in the first place) and he even knows stand, plus he's well lead trained.

It's so hard to see why they gave him up (so far ....)

Gem

gettingready

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