The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

CRANKY40

Monna..this......

The Dalmatian’s role as a carriage dog in this country began in the 17th century when young English aristocrats brought spotted dogs home from their travels in Europe. Undoubtedly one attraction was the Dalmatian’s striking appearance, but they also had a very practical use. Their feet and legs are strong and they could maintain long distances alongside a horse or carriage on rough roads. They also had or developed an affinity with horses. The Dalmatian’s strong guarding and hunting instincts were useful when travelling, and in the inns at night they guarded the horses in the stables and kept the vermin down.

The bl**dy things can run for ever....

silvasava

Fuddle - £7.50 and I had to pay there and then! Shows just how long it is since I had something cleaned - they'd better do a first class job!

mardatha

Sitting here being very nastily smug and congratulating myself for getting a breed of cat knows as "furniture with fur"...;)
So ok yes she sleeps 23 hours a day - but the other mad-tearing-round-the-whole-house-at-90mph- hour begins the minute my head hits the pillow :rotfl:
I am reading "A Victorian Household" based on the diaries of a Marion Sambourne, who seems to have been wealthy and lived in a very posh street in London that is still there, because I googled it. Stafford Terrace, Kensington. It has totally gone to my head and given me delusions of grandeur.

fuddle

Silvasava if I told you the process involved you would baulk at the money but it's a means to an end. Long live your lovely LBD. I knew it would rise but that's steep!

Softstuff

I second the idea that it isn't you Monna, it's the dog. We've done plenty of research into dog breeds and they seem generally regarded as very very active, slightly dim nutters. Of course, that's what some people want in a dog. Meself, very attracted to the cats of the dog world, greyhounds. Much like Mardathas cat, they sleep 20 hours a day, then do a little zoomie, then snuggle.

I wouldn't say it's your responsibility to train her, but do like the idea of an active dog walker that could tire her out a bit, maybe with a couple of long walks each day. Our dog trainer does that in a ny case, tires them out until they're no bother.

They really don't seem to have thought this one through Monna.

monnagran

Hi everyone. Well, we have almost come to an understanding, Dora and me. I provide the treats and she digs the garden.
Cranky, I can believe that they can run for ever. DS2 took her for a 2 hour walk the other day. Off the leash so that she could run amok on the beach. He reckoned she got up to a good 50mph. They got back and he sank into an exhausted heap while she stood and looked at him expectantly waiting for the fun to begin again. One good thing, she comes when called. Probably hoping for a piece of sausage. She also sits when told, usually, briefly.
The great thing is that the village is teeming with Dalmation puppies. Dora was one of a litter of 10 and most of them still live hereabouts. The owners share a look of harassment. Except one who can be seen walking around with a demure puppy trotting at her side. We hate her. There are dark libellous mutterings of doping.

Mar: I am with you. I love dogs but adore cats.

Polly, you are a darling. Don't worry, I will remind the Big Guy of your whereabouts so watch out.

Lyn, DIL works for the local radio station. Um.......Probably not the best place for a wild dog. DS2 is a landscape gardener and judging by what Dora has done to our garden I don't think he will be taking her with him any time soon. He wouldn't have a contract left.

Well, the wind is getting up again at the moment. Roaring gusts are trying to get through these thick stone walls, and although we are snugly double glazed I can feel a distinct draught coming from somewhere. Brrr!
I have to put the bins out before I go to bed so I hope they don't get blown over.

x

mardatha

Horrible windy wet night up here too monna. Wishing for Spring now.

monnagran

Ha ha! A senior moment Silvasava. Have you lost your way.

mcculloch29

Everyone has basically said what I was going to say about Dalmatians. I love them to look at but would never own one. They are spectacularly disobedient, airheaded and bloody minded. It is the dog in their case, like many OE Sheepdogs (Dulux dogs) a basically half decent breed had the intelligence bred out of it by its popularity.
I had a near Crufts obedience standard OE Sheepdog that hadn't read that manual and knew a lovely Dalmatian that also bucked the trend. However it is a trend. They are not easy dogs.

burtha

Hi Monna ,
Have a look at the protein level in pups food , as a guide a pup needs 22% -32% of protein for about the first 10 -12 weeks, then we reduce it down to normal adult levels of none working dogs of about 15% - 26% ( working dogs 22%-32%) , although I think dalmatians are prone to kidney stones so I would probably go to about 17% - 20% for normal daily amounts . But I am sure there would be more online advice for dalmatians.
The more energy the dog needs the higher the protein level , think of sugar rush in a small child but all day ... Other than that , restrict the treats to good behaviour only and don't react to the bad , ie dog jumps up ,instead of pushing dog down just turn around and don't react ,it may take a few goes but it will work . Other than that some people use a dog cage to help training , dogs cage becomes it's safe place or time out, again will not work overnight but consistent comands help as do the use of dog toys that you can fill with treats , helpful if you are going out ,dog has to work to get them out .
So hope your not as worn out tomorrow, sorry carnt remember how old the dog is ,but ds needs to go to training with her if poss , teaching them all how to go on,not just the dog
Sorry if I have gone on a bit or if it looks as if you don't know the basics , just an offer of help, from the mad one with 9 dogs .
Good luck x