Training my Dalmatian puppy :) Questions

Rush hasn't really been doing the head bob / eye twitch thing today and when he has it's when he has been tired. Could this be the reason for it?
Thanks guys xx

Yeah I was supposed to ask the vet about it when we were there yesterday but couldn't get a word in edge ways haha! I have tried to record it before but it's over quicker than I can get my phone out to record it haha

Hey guys just thought I would update you on Rush's progress. I spoke to the vet about his twitch (which he did infront of them) they think the same as me that it's a tiredness thing but just to track it . Phew huge relief

Good news!

What a relief!

It's a huge relief!! We just have to keep an eye on him . Looking forward to tomorrow we can go out for our 1st walk

Rush is just soo adorable I want to hug him!

Yay rush has had his 1st walk and he was such a good boy there was no pulling although he almost had me over a few times from him walking in a zigzag haha!

I am madly in love with Rush!

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He really is a stunning looking boy.

The first walk is always such an exciting event!

He loved it he was such a good boy. Think I tired him out though he slept for ages when we got in haha

Rachael, you are extremely lucky that you live so far away from me, otherwise I would be there like a shot to dognap your gorgeous Rush!

Haha!

Question for you guys. I don't suppose you have any suggestions on how we can settle rush down when it's bed time. He sleeps in his crate downstairs. He seems to be fine at first but then after 5 to 10 mins or so he starts to bark and whimper ect. Someone told me to leave a ticking clock in the room with him along with his blanket ect. What do you guys think and what would you suggest?

I used to tell new owners to do this when I bred Cavaliers, (many years ago), but think it works best with baby puppies who have been used to hearing other heartbeats in the nest.. What about leaving a radio playing quietly? I do this when I'm getting them used to being left on their own for short periods and it does seem to help.

I am afraid I have no answers regarding your problem as because when I used to breed Griffons many years ago the pups were always together and when old enough and before departing for their new homes, mixed with my adult and teenage girls. So I never had the problem.

With my Little One, who I rescued/adopted when I was living in a different bungalow but still on the Moshav - she automatically decided that bed, for her, was on my slippers at the side of my own bed, and once she could jump up [and down safely], she slept with me.

The same happened when I brought Pereg home only she wanted up on the bed so I lifted her on and put her down when she woke me when she needed to go out.

Rush's behaviour sounds very much like an automatic and now regular "thing" in his brain that tells him he is not happy being alone. And it reminds me so much of when my daughter finally came home from hospital after having been in and out of a general hospital since 5 weeks old due to stomach problems and then in for just under a year in an orthopaedic hospital getting her hips "fixed".

Every night at 2am on the dot she would wake - and cry if I did not go to her. It turned out that 2am was nappy change time at the hospital [she was only 21 months old when she finally came home] and she automatically woke at that time, whether she needed a nappy change or not.

On advice from the hospital and my GP I was told not to go to her as it was just habit, and that she would would go back to sleep after a few minutes, which she did. OK so it took three or four nights but she never woke at 2am after that.

It was just habit - nothing else. And a case of putting aside all instincts to go and comfort her. And a hell of a lot of love in order for me to put those instincts aside.

Is there anyway you can leave the crate door open, without him getting out of the room his crate is in. this might settle him down.

unfortunately we have to close he crate door as our living/dining room and kitchen are open plan so we have no doors to "contain" him in one room. Think I may try the radio on quite tonight and see how it goes. I would love to let him sleep with us it breaks my heart when he crus at night . We won't let him though as he is going to. R quiet a big dog when fully grown. There will be no room for Chros or myself in bed haha! Plus we kinda want the privacy and we need him to get used to been left on his own as this happens every morning for a few hours between Chris going to work and me coming back in from work. Thanks guys xx

Ive never used crates, but have you tried a Kong filled with peanut butter/cottage cheese ect: freeze it and make it a special crate treat, some people cover the crate at night which seems to help.
Would it be possible to keep crate next to your bed at night, that way he’s got re-assurance and if he does start barking you can just tell him to be quiet, without going to or touching him.