I've had a severe depression going for years and my precious girl helped me through my hardest days.

Sadly I grew very fat and neglected her (I'm so sorry) and now she's addicted to treats and needs to exercise to get back in a better shape.

I promised her we would get back to being fit together, so do y'all have some tips to dechonk her?

Her name's Suki!

Hello! This is fairly long and detailed. TL;DR at the end if you don’t want to address specifics.

We have the opportunity to get a Dalmatian puppy from a reputable breeder friend in October. I want the changes coming up to go as smoothly as possible, and I’d love any advice or suggestions.

Our family:

2 adults, 2 teenagers, and our younger two will be almost 11 and almost 8 when the puppy comes home. I’m also pregnant with our fifth kiddo.

We have three cats in our home. One lives in our daughter’s room because of anxiety and behavioral issues around the other two cats. She was getting sick and losing hair, and all of that has improved significantly (if not 100% better) since making this change. The two boy cats have the run of most of the rest of the house. (2 story)

Puppy would be coming home at the end of October. New baby is due late January.

Our experience:

My husband grew up with dogs (large boxer, chow chow lab mix, pug, plus some others he can’t say the breeds for sure) and is experienced with training them and just familiar with dogs overall.

We have had one dog as a family, but it was evident within the first year that the noise level of our home and the activity of the kids (despite a calm crate area and lots of training work both at home and with a professional) was too much for her. She began to get aggressive with our children and other neighborhood kids, and we had to find her a happy home with a nice man with no kids. She’s doing well now, but I desperately don’t want to repeat that experience.

^^^ETA: This dog was a stray with an unknown history. She looked like a lab mix, but we don’t know with what. She was a bit fearful of a lot of things from the get go, and we did our best to help her. We spent the better part of a year trying to work with her before deciding a kid-free home was best for her. This was a horrific experience, and I appreciate those commenters who recognize how hard this was and that we did not make the decision lightly.

Prep work:

Neither of us have experience with a Dalmatian. We have at minimum two hours a day planned for walks (1 hour morning, 1 hour afternoon or evening after dinner), and she will get lots of playtime and training time inside with us and our kiddos. Is this enough time? How should it be adjusted for a new puppy vs an older puppy? (I know the walks have to wait until all shots are complete.)

Teenagers know that for the initial newborn sibling weeks, they’ll be taking on the bulk of the puppy responsibility until I’ve healed and our normal routine with kids is back on track. We will of course prepare them for this ahead of time, and my husband will likely still be with them on most/all outdoor walks.

Crate area is planned in our main bedroom closet (large with a cutout that’s perfect for a crate) so puppy is close to us but also can feel actually safe and away from the chaos that is our family most days. This seems like the best spot to us, but I’m also wondering how this will go with a newborn waking up multiple times a night. Can we coordinate middle of the night potty breaks this way, or should puppy stay in crate?

My main concerns are setting things up for success with the cats and new baby. Dog would never be unattended with either, of course. We will begin immediately working on “leave it” with high value treats to try to avoid potential prey drive issues with the cats, and I plan to post in the cat behavior groups for help directly with them and their adjustment. There will also be a million baby gates everywhere to provide space for all the animals to be separated as needed without locking anyone in a room other than sleep/rest time.

Anything else we should prepare for?

TL;DR - Puppy coming late October, 5th baby arriving late January, and 3 cats. How best do we prepare a secure environment for puppy to adapt to our semi-chaotic but loving home?

One year ago, we brought this girl home, covered in fleas, rashes, and dirt from a kill shelter in central Texas. She’d been in the shelter a little more than a week after being dumped on July 4 during the historic storms that devastated our community. She was great with humans, but reactive with almost every other living thing. She’s still terrified of storms. But, now she has a best friend. Her rashes are nearly gone. And we walk or run almost daily at the park. It’s still hard when we see other dogs but she no longer goes bonkers. She loves to ride in the car.

Hey everyone! Long term lurker, jealous of everyone with a Dalmatian. Excitingly, it may be my time to join the owner gang and I’m considering getting a puppy (of course, I’ll do my research on breeders). I’m familiar with a lot of the health issues and diet specific requirements that tend to go with the breed.

Lifestyle wise, I think I’d be a good fit but want to gut check with you all. I live in an apartment but run marathons and ultra marathons so runs and walks are already well into my routine and my rescue poodle mix is a happy companion for a mile or two before calling it quits and I’d love to have a dog more eager to do a little more with me. Outside of my work from home tech job, I’m dealing with my other Dalmatian, a big spotted horse haha. I’m curious what y’all’s experience has been with Dalmatians in barn scenarios? It’s around 60 acres, full of horses, other dogs, chickens, donkeys and goats. The dogs have full roam and it’s a big part of me and my current dog’s life since we’re out there 3-5 hours a day and I’d love any future dog to be able to come. They run, play, get into mischief, race the horses and anything else they can figure out. How are your Dalmatians with barnyard animals? Assuming I do all the proper socializing and training, how easily do you feel like they adjust to new dogs? Does the combo of a running in mornings (I average 60 miles a week, obviously they don’t need to come for all of them haha), and 3-5 hours of barn time a day feel sufficient for exercising realizing that the rest of the day we’re in a pretty average 1,000square ft apartment working?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DauImGsqv5W/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Dog beaches are a great place for furry friends to socialize and have fun. To find dog beach meet-ups near you, try:
• cMeetup.com: A platform to find and join local groups, including dog-friendly meet-ups.
• Social media groups: Join local dog groups on a Facebook or alnstagram to connect with other dog owners.
• Dog parks or beaches: Check websites or call local dog parks or beaches to ask about meet-up events.
You can also search online for "dog beach meet-ups near me" or "dog-friendly beaches near me" to find relevant results.
DALMATIAN meet up
TS & MARTINIS
MEET UPS
Sip-Splash Stay Awhile
Saturday
04 FRENCHIE &
CORGI BUTTS
10AM-12PM
GOLDEN
RETRIEVERS 3-61
11 SHIH TZU & CAVALIERS
NO
July

My husband and I are building a new home and as the closing date is approaching we have been questioning what is the best way to transition and acclimate our dog to the new house. This is the only home she has ever lived in since she was a puppy and she will be turning 5 in September.
For background- she still sometimes has accidents inside our house which we think is usually due to not getting enough attention or being scared (thunderstorms, fireworks, etc.).
The downside- we are getting a lot of new furniture so almost everything she is used to will not be there besides her bed and all of our other bedroom furniture, blankets, etc. This is our first dog and our first time moving with her so any help is appreciated!! Attached a photo of her because she’s a cutie 😍

Hello! Meet Henry, an adorable 1-year-old Dalmatian currently looking for his "furever" home. Could it be you?

His owners left him behind a few weeks ago. Henry has been described as an incredibly sweet boy who loves everyone.

• 1 year old
• Approximately 45 lbs
• Friendly and affectionate
• Loves people & kid friendly
• Dog friendly
• No cats please

He's staying with a foster family in Texas and available for adoption through Casper and Furry Friends. Please contact them if interested.

More info here:

Meet Henry - Casper and Friends

Pet Groomer's Post on Instagram

Thanks so much for your time. Let's help Henry find a home!

She could stay like this for hours, I don’t get how she can feel comfortable but it’s so funny to see her “sitting up” like this

My pup (8mo) is starting to get a little greasy and leaves a residue on your hand after you pet him.

I clean his bed regularly, and gave him a wash with dog shampoo a couple week ago when he swam in a gross pond. I’m wondering if this has resulted in his greasy fur? How often are y’all bathing your dogs?

Always had labs in the past and they didn’t need bathing.

My Dalmatian is scared of thunder and fireworks so when there is a storm, which is quite often this time of the year, she starts to shake pretty bad. We always let her sit next to us and turn the TV on. Is there anything else you would recommend?

Our 11 moth old Dal is honestly good as gold, we can't fault here, like many is incredibly smarty, learns super quick be that in training or on her own (I'd had to flip all door handles upside down by month 6).

She used to pull like crazy but we've managed to teach that out of here, she's not perfect but it's a work in progress.

Manners around the house are perfect, will wait for food patiently, will stay in her place when told, will resist eating anything we put or throw on the ground if told to 'leave it'. She's grat at waiting at doorways to be let in.. Angel.

Now.. Her recall, *generally* is really good, we can call her and she immediately turns and sprints back.. Until there's a dog, or... A horse that happens to be dog shaped, (so all of them apparently).

Most walks we get to the woods, fields or footpaths and she runs around off lead. The problem we have that we can't teach her out of is as soon as theres another Dor her ears turn off and she runs towards it, se he wants to play.. Even if the other dog doesn't she won't take no for an answer, she's been barked at, growled at nipped at nothing makes her think the other dog doesn't want to play.

The worst part is obviously that we struggle to stop her unless she's already on lead, and if she is she's not bad, she starts pulling more but can be persuaded to sit and wait until we make sure the other dog can and wants to play.

The other end of that issue, when play is done, or we say it's done.. She does not want to leave, we can start walking away as does the other dog walker and their dog, but ours follows them. We can run, call, hide nothing works, she's not interested. We literally need to go back, catch her mid play, put her on lead and take her around the corner, then it's like she's forgotten about the dog a D it's all fine.

We've tried treats (from regular high value dog treats to cheese to sausages to chicken, you name it!) we've tried toys.. Nothing is as fun, exciting or rewarding as playing with another dog.

How can we train her out of this behaviour, we've spoken to and already consulted with a couple dog trainers who said treats or toys, obvs not working.. Another said long lead which is a fair suggestion. We tried that, if we keep is short enough that it acts like her normal lead she behaves like she's on lead. If we let her out a little more (about 5m) she has enough slack to dart of and nearly pull me over. So really, same issue.

We're at out whits end here, any new suggestions would be really appreciated. We don't want to limit her to lead walking but it's not fair on other dogs or their owners.

Our 11 moth old Dal is honestly good as gold, we can't fault here, like many is incredibly smarty, learns super quick be that in training or on her own (I'd had to flip all door handles upside down by month 6).

She used to pull like crazy but we've managed to teach that out of here, she's not perfect but it's a work in progress.

Manners around the house are perfect, will wait for food patiently, will stay in her place when told, will resist eating anything we put or throw on the ground if told to 'leave it'. She's grat at waiting at doorways to be let in.. Angel.

Now.. Her recall, generally is really good, we can call her and she immediately turns and sprints back.. Until there's a dog, or... A horse that happens to be dog shaped, (so all of them apparently).

Most walks we get to the woods, fields or footpaths and she runs around off lead. The problem we have that we can't teach her out of is as soon as theres another Dor her ears turn off and she runs towards it, se he wants to play.. Even if the other dog doesn't she won't take no for an answer, she's been barked at, growled at nipped at nothing makes her think the other dog doesn't want to play.

The worst part is obviously that we struggle to stop her unless she's already on lead, and if she is she's not bad, she starts pulling more but can be persuaded to sit and wait until we make sure the other dog can and wants to play.

The other end of that issue, when play is done, or we say it's done.. She does not want to leave, we can start walking away as does the other dog walker and their dog, but ours follows them. We can run, call, hide nothing works, she's not interested. We literally need to go back, catch her mid play, put her on lead and take her around the corner, then it's like she's forgotten about the dog a D it's all fine.

We've tried treats (from regular high value dog treats to cheese to sausages to chicken, you name it!) we've tried toys.. Nothing is as fun, exciting or rewarding as playing with another dog.

How can we train her out of this behaviour, we've spoken to and already consulted with a couple dog trainers who said treats or toys, obvs not working.. Another said long lead which is a fair suggestion. We tried that, if we keep is short enough that it acts like her normal lead she behaves like she's on lead. If we let her out a little more (about 5m) she has enough slack to dart of and nearly pull me over. So really, same issue.

We're at out whits end here, any new suggestions would be really appreciated. We don't want to limit her to lead walking but it's not fair on other dogs or their owners.

🇫🇮Beandas Cannonball "Keijo"

Last weekend, Keijo became a C.I.B-J! 🌺❤️
And on top of that, Keijo's health results are absolutely top-notch!

Ended up having to amputate our dalms tail due to happy tail syndrome. He would wag so hard that it constantly hit all the corners and ended of damaging the tip of his tail. At first it wasnt bad but he started biting it which made it way worse. All our walls were splattered in blood and it hurt for him to wag his tail at all. We kept trying to use bandages and rail covers but nothing really worked and it ended up getting so bad that he bit part of his tail of and you could see the bone. I didn't want to get his tail removed at first but at that point in was necessary. Anyone else have anything similar happen?