We've been landed with a dog...

[MattDillonsPants]

We live in a rural part of Australia...there are a lot of farms and vineyards here and today we'd parked the car on a bit of a lonely road which basically has nothing but vineyards either side...there was one of those honesty boxes with some jars of olives and we wanted some.

DH noticed a big, white dog in a pen (just some chicken wire) ...it was in the garden section of this vineyard....all on it's own and looking forlorn as heck.

We stood there and chatted to it a bit through the fence and a woman appeared, she said he's only 4 months, a Maremma...which is a sheepdog...and that we could have him.

She showed us his parents and explained that the owner of the vineyard had sold all the others and this was the last...and that the parents had now been de-sexed.

The parents were beautiful...the dog was in a poo ridden area...with a shelter and water but wasn't being treated as a pet...so we took him.



We've wanted a dog for a long time and DH is experienced...we're aware Marremas get big and need careful socialisation and we're seeing the vet on Monday..and taking him to a behaviour class on Thursday....he's had his first shots apparently...anyway...the thing is, he's beautiful...well behaved and affectionate but seems uncomfortable coming inside.

He's currently lying on the patio...I've tried to encourage him in...and he HAS had a little look around but then goes back out.

What do I do? He's big but young...I know he's obviously used to sleeping outdoors but is it kind? DH is making him a kennel tomorrow but really we'd like him indoors at night..the woman seemed to love the parents...and took our dog to say goodbye to his Mum....and gave us some advice etc...it wasn't a puppy farm was it?

[MattDillonsPants]

We do know the woman had a right to give him away as we briefly met the owner of the vineyard too...an Italian...where Maremmas come from.

[Kraggle]

No advice really apart from congratulations on your new dog and you do know pictures are a requirement of any new pet don't you?!

[TheTigerIsOut]

They cannot be a puppy mill if they are not asking for money.

We once got a very well behaved old dog that never wanted to go on the sofa, beds or chairs. We agreed to her terms until she become comfortable to break her own rules (about 2 years).

There is nothing cruel on letting dog sleep outside if he is more comfortable there. He may find the inside claustrophobic if he is used to open skies.

[WileHallion]

Can't offer any advice till you post a photo

Please

[MattDillonsPants]

I'll try to upload one...I'm not very good at that sort of thing.

We are committed to him for life by the way...it wasn't a whim...we just didn't want to leave him in that little pen.

I want him to come in and sit on the pile of blankies I've made him...I'm sitting by the open patio door and he's just lying out there fast asleep!

[bulldogmum]

Sounds like he's just unsure and probably wasn't allowed inside if he was kept in a pen so inside is probably very scary! Whenever he goes near the door really praise him and give treats, and when he's inside quietly praise and just drop treats on the floor for him.
Build up inside as an amazing place by rewarding him when he goes in or even near the door. It will take time for him to learn inside is ok and a great place but he's young and will get there with a bit of love.

[Choughed]

Yes we neeeeeeed a picture

[MattDillonsPants]

He came in :)

[WileHallion]

Oh my LANTA he's beautiful!

And look, he's settling in already

What's he called?

[OttiliaVonBCup]

Awww!

Look at that face.

[Choughed]

he's beautiful, what's his name?

[MattDillonsPants]

He is rather attractive isn't he? We're arguing over names...he was called Ben...but we have a good friend called that...

[MuttonCadet]

He's gorgeous! And he's really lucky you stopped for olives?

Could rename him Oliver?

[TheTigerIsOut]

I think there's a movie coming out about this breed of dog being used to protect endangered penguins (honestlly)

[DiscordiaVanDiemen]

Oh he's gorgeous! I just googled pictures of the adult dogs and they're absolutely beautiful

[PUGaLUGS]

What a handsome boy! Buddy would be a nice name...

[ProfGrammaticus]

He looks as though he's going to be MASSIVE

[ToomuchChocolatemeansBootcamp]

I spent quite a bit of time with an Italian lady who bred famous Maremmas in Italy when I was younger. They are utterly gorgeous, very smart, very strong protective instinct (used to defend sheep flocks against wolves!) and very strong - I'm no stripling and one could easily yank me off my feet and tow me along if they saw something interesting across the forest! They also need a lot of grooming and can have quite delicate tummies for such a big dog. Could you pick an Italian wine name for him given where you found him? not Chianti tho!

[RandomMess]

Aw totally gorgeous.

I think Brian is a good name for a dog, or some other suitable uncool name

[TrionicLettuce]

I couldn't find a breed club but there do seem to be a few Australian breeders of maremmas about. It might be worth getting in touch with some and seeing if they'll share some general advice, most decent breeders are usually more than willing to chat about their breed given the chance!!

There's loads of information on the UK breed club site and again you may well find people happy to chat maremmas with you if you get in touch with them.

[TheoriginalLEM]

Bruce!

[Outcomesthebunnyofdeath]

He is gorgeous. Love Bruce, love Oliver even more though!

[SavoyCabbage]

When my dd was in kindergarten she went to a farm and there was a cattle dog there. She was full of it when she got home and insisted the dog was called 'Grape'. We later found our t it was Olive...

[FoxFeatures]

What a beaut.

He has landed on his paws.