Any hints on how to keep a Dalmatian from jumping on you, digging in the yard, or chewing up it's bedding?

Question

Samantha is 16 mos. old. She is a beautiful and good dog but goes through bouts of the above mentioned behaviors. She loved her tempurpedic bed pillow (sp?) for a few weeks and suddenly chewed it to bits.....She is active, well fed, and walked. any suggestions welcomed. I also visited many websites and see few answers....personal experience from Dalmatian owners is welcomed! Thanks ahead of time!

Answer 1

Dalamtions are high strung and need tons of stuff to keep them busy.It sounds like your dog is bored.
A walk may not be enough to wear off her energy. You may need to be running with the dog. They were bred to run under the carriage with the horses. So these are very high engery dogs.
You should get into some classes and work with the dog more.
She needs to be kept busy. Maybe like a Buster cube for when you are gone. You fill with treats the dog rolls it around to get out treats.
The jumping thing work on behavior with her. Jumping is not acceptable and you need to let her know that. If she jumps correct her firmly and let her know you are not going to tolerate it. What ever correction you use be consistant with it and keep working on it. Jumping up with Dals is common and hard to break.
Most that I have worked with are just not getting enough exercise and are bored. I recommed you run with your dog. LOTS of running. If you do not run do you know someone who does that could use a partner? Maybe even teach her to get on the treadmill. Many people use that as an outlet for thier dogs.
Good luck and just keep trying they are smart dogs but just very active and challanging.

Answer 2

First off, chewing up things (such as the pillow) usually means the dog is either bored of stressed. Make sure the dog has plenty of activity, especially a dalamation.

As for digging, try laying down chicken wire or something similar on top of the ground for a while. Another method is to keep an eye on the dog while it is outside and carry a can of coins with you. If the dog starts to dig, shake the can and call the dog to you and praise it when it stops digging and comes to you. This also works with chewing on things.

As for jumping up, what I usually use with my dog is a firm no and pushing the dog down and tell it to sit, then praise it when it sits. Doing things like loving on your dog or petting it when it jumps up will reverse the training so make sure you are diligent in letting the dog know that you dislike when it jumps up and you will not give it any positive attention until it sits down and behaves.

Answer 3

She's not getting either enough excersise or attention. Has there been a change in the household or the normal schedule lately? Changes in climates can cause behavioral changes. Try getting her to run more, than just walking. Take her to a dog park, and turn her loose to socialize with other dogs.

Answer 4

Dalmations are intelligent dogs, tehy need their minds to be well stimulated or the become bored, all these things are signs of boredom.

for jumping simply turn away or back up or raise your knee so it meets the dog in the chest so she has nothing to jump on.. stop all play when she jumps and walk away..

you need to have her go to Obedience lessons and spend lots of time at home stimulating her mind with what you have learned at the lessons... she might require more than that - which means agility too... these are not dogs for people who do not have alot of "dog time"

Answer 5

Dalmations are high strung & require a lot of attention. She is doing these things because she's bored. Unfortunatly because of their nature, it is sometimes hard to get another dog to go with them as they can be aggressive. You have to spend more time with her & take her to an obedience school. Keep up on top of her & it'll curb the problem. Worst case scenario, your vet has medications like doggie "prozac" that you can give. I have a high strung border collie & he takes it, it has helped a lot with the problems you mentioned.

Answer 6

Could she be bored?

Answer 7

doggie school!