Re: Dogs and bird food

Good luck Sparrow! - but I have to confess I do love Lola's antics, although I know it's not much fun for you, it's giving me a great laugh reading your thread!

Hi Sparrow - the words of an old song come to mind 'what every Lola wants Lola gets' - let's hope you've cracked it this time.  I think our Jack would just adore your Lola she sounds his type of gal!

My very tall new feeding station survived the howling winds last night, and up to now has survived Lola (and I'm afraid to say, like the song, Lola does get what she wants most of the time!) Fortunately we don't have a trampoline, but I wouldn't put it past her to try a pole vault!

 I bought some sultanas this morning for me to share with the birds. I scattered some in the flower beds for the blackbirds, and half an hour later they were nearly all gone. Lola was in her bed by this time, all innocent etc. but I knew it was her ... her nose was covered in mud!

Lucybob - she would LOVE your Jack.

Hi Sparrow - glad to hear the new feeder stood up to the gales last night - I actually went out and tied one of mine in as the Jackdaws land on it a bit heavy and it was swaying father!  I did see the farm black cat try to shin up a wooden pole to a feeder in my garden earlier this week  (dont let Lola read this) it got two thirds of the way up and then fell off being a cat it landed on its feet.

Jack and I have been gardening again today and have been singing Lola all afternoon!!!

Sparrow

Thanks everyone for your replies, especially KatTai with your free dog training lesson!!!!! Much appreciated. I think Lucybob has asked the right question - is it something about Boxers? It most certainly is. They are puppies until the day they die, unlike any other breed, and we should know. Lola is the latest in a long line of boxers owned, worked,  and loved by us. I have had 50 continuous years of this breed. All they want to do is play, and this stealing tendancy is a form of play to them. It is a huge game and a lot of fun, partly attention seeking, and partly because they only have one brain cell. They are the clowns of the dog world, and it is part of their nature. Just as different bird species have different behaviour patterns, so do dogs. If she were a collie, a lab, a poodle or a German Shepherd, it might be different!

However, I will give KatTai's suggestions a go starting tomorrow ... but I'm not holding my breath!!!

 

 

 We have labradoodles (lab/poodle) and they would eat everything put out for the birds if they got the chance - so it's not just yours (who looks so sweet by the way)!!!  My daughter and I have had to section of part of the back garden so the dogs can't get into the bit we feed the birds in, otherwise we'd have hungry birds and very fat dogs!!!

Hi Sparrow

Your story reminds me of years ago when I used to put bits of cheese out on the ground for the blackbirds, and the local farmers sheepdog used to eat all the cheese I put out for the birds. {not happy}

I got to the point of feeling quite irratated about the whole matter, as I was living as a tenent on a farm and got more than I bargained for at times with other peoples dogs.

On top of that the dog took a dislike to me (the dog knew I did not like it eating my bird food) and each time I chased it away, it would growl at me.

The local farmer would use the 'spare' caravan at the end of the yard during the day, and the dog must have seen the area as part of its territory - hence the cheese stealing going on.

Maybe it was a sadly misguided dog, and wanted everything its own way all of the time Hmm  - well in this case it was not going to have it its own way, and I made sure the food that the dog liked remained on the bird table after that.

Best solution - out of sight, and out of mind to a dog.  They can be so greedy.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Hi Doodlemum, and welcome to the forum.

My daughter collected their new puppy on Boxing Day - a Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever/Miniature Poodle F1 cross). He is absolutely wonderful - like a golden fluffy teddy bear, 7 weeks old and full of confidence. Their previous dog died earlier this year aged 18, so they are struggling to get used to having a new puppy, but loving every minute of it. He hasn't been introduced to our Lola and Purdy yet as he hasn't had his vaccinations, but I can't wait.

Hi Blackbird,

The problem with dogs isn't what they can see, but what they can smell ... and cheese would be one thing my dogs would find in seconds!!! I have solved the problem of stealing from feeders by buying a 9 foot station, and I now have a ground feeder on the front lawn where they don't get to go. Farm dogs are often a bit growly with humans, especially if they are outside working dogs as opposed to pets. I hope the experience didn't put you off dogs for life.

Introducing Colin, the Goldendoodle. The latest addition to the family, and probably an embryo bird food eater!

hi Sparrow

I do not have any problems with dogs, or any other pets as all as far as I know.

I love all animals, and dogs too.  Owned dogs looked after dogs. horses, and cats everything

Birds are more on my first love list anyday, and as this is the RSPB that is what I enjoy about the Forum.

Same applies with Dave

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Sparrow

Introducing Colin, the Goldendoodle. The latest addition to the family, and probably an embryo bird food eater!

Oh Sparrow, I want him!

Sparrow

As I'm spending the Festive period at fathers I am observing some yin for your yang. 

Father feeds the birds every morning, putting the left over dog food from the night before (soaked dog biscuits usually) on the bird table.  In good weather the dogs hang around for the birds to knock bits down for them, but in this weather chihuahuas prefer a radiator!  Dogs 1 - Birds 1, honourable draw.

Laurence

Meet Jack!

Also a goldendoodle (but black...) a cross between the golden retriever and a standard poodle. He was 13 weeks when I took that (last week) and is already huge!! Very cute though! :-)

He is the new addition to my friend's family (in Kent) after they had to have their 'alsation cross' put to sleep a few weeks ago having had him for 15 years.

I'm sure Jack will keep them on their toes!! ;-)

Oh MarJus, he is gorgeous! He looks massive for 13 weeks.

These doodles are getting very popular because they don't moult and are good for people who have allergies to dog hair.