Weimaraner puppy testing patience !
Discussion
My wife and I have a 7 year old Springer, and the wife wanted another dog to keep both her and our springer company as I am travelling more with work.
We've had the puppy about a month and got her at 10 weeks old.
First - the ahhhhhhhh picture. . . . .
Like I said we've had her a month and I do't really remember our springer being this difficult.
First is toilet training. She mostly pee's in the designated area in the house but rarely pee's or poo's outside. The poo is the issue. Almost every morning you have to wash the floor due to the amount and mess created. It is becoming tiresome.
Second is the howling. We keep both dogs together in the utility room in their beds. But Every night, and when ever we leave the house - the puppy barks and howls. It is a nuisance for us and the neighbours after a month - and stressful when in the house and getting her used to being in her cage. The howling stops - eventually but can last for up to 30 mins or more.
We are doing all the same things we did with the springer - putting her in the cage after playing, walking her in the garden etc etc etc. We read that Weimaraner's can have anxiety issues if left alone - so my mother in law is staying with us during the week as my wife works.
But do any Weimaraner owners have any tips ?
Is this normal and I'm just getting old and grumpy ??
Cheers
1/2p
We've had the puppy about a month and got her at 10 weeks old.
First - the ahhhhhhhh picture. . . . .
Like I said we've had her a month and I do't really remember our springer being this difficult.
First is toilet training. She mostly pee's in the designated area in the house but rarely pee's or poo's outside. The poo is the issue. Almost every morning you have to wash the floor due to the amount and mess created. It is becoming tiresome.
Second is the howling. We keep both dogs together in the utility room in their beds. But Every night, and when ever we leave the house - the puppy barks and howls. It is a nuisance for us and the neighbours after a month - and stressful when in the house and getting her used to being in her cage. The howling stops - eventually but can last for up to 30 mins or more.
We are doing all the same things we did with the springer - putting her in the cage after playing, walking her in the garden etc etc etc. We read that Weimaraner's can have anxiety issues if left alone - so my mother in law is staying with us during the week as my wife works.
But do any Weimaraner owners have any tips ?
Is this normal and I'm just getting old and grumpy ??
Cheers
1/2p
Both!
Weimaraner's are (for the majority) a very needy breed, this is no understatement. They are loving but they are not a breed I'd ever take on due to their anxiety issues etc.
Why did you not go for another springer, why a weimy?
Maybe worth plugging in a Pet Remedy (can imagine your poor springer will benefit aswell!!)
Have you spoken to the breeder. I am sure they'll have experienced this before.
I am sure you just need more time but as a sensitive breed she will pick up on your agitation with her. Does she seem relaxed around your springer (and vice versa)?
Weimaraner's are (for the majority) a very needy breed, this is no understatement. They are loving but they are not a breed I'd ever take on due to their anxiety issues etc.
Why did you not go for another springer, why a weimy?
Maybe worth plugging in a Pet Remedy (can imagine your poor springer will benefit aswell!!)
Have you spoken to the breeder. I am sure they'll have experienced this before.
I am sure you just need more time but as a sensitive breed she will pick up on your agitation with her. Does she seem relaxed around your springer (and vice versa)?
bexVN said:
Both!
Weimaraner's are (for the majority) a very needy breed, this is no understatement. They are loving but they are not a breed I'd ever take on due to their anxiety issues etc.
Why did you not go for another springer, why a weimy?
Maybe worth plugging in a Pet Remedy (can imagine your poor springer will benefit aswell!!)
Have you spoken to the breeder. I am sure they'll have experienced this before.
I am sure you just need more time but as a sensitive breed she will pick up on your agitation with her. Does she seem relaxed around your springer (and vice versa)?
Hello - thanks (I think Weimaraner's are (for the majority) a very needy breed, this is no understatement. They are loving but they are not a breed I'd ever take on due to their anxiety issues etc.
Why did you not go for another springer, why a weimy?
Maybe worth plugging in a Pet Remedy (can imagine your poor springer will benefit aswell!!)
Have you spoken to the breeder. I am sure they'll have experienced this before.
I am sure you just need more time but as a sensitive breed she will pick up on your agitation with her. Does she seem relaxed around your springer (and vice versa)?
) for the response.Why did we go for a Weimy ?? They are lovely dogs. Look beautiful and have a lovely temperament. My wife wanted a bigger dog than the Springer also for some visual "security" and something short haired. Like I say we had read about anxiety but thought that being with the older dog it would have a "friend".
The two dogs around each other are fine. They play together well - it's only if the Springer is sleeping in his cage (we leave the door open) and the puppy tries to go in - then the fun starts.
Not spoken to the breeder yet - but a good tip.
We will stick with it of course - and I"m away on business now for two weeks in Asia
I asked because it is a very different breed choice to having a Spaniel so was just wondering if any particular reason people have different breed mixes all the time but it can prove a challenge when they have different needs!
The howling after 4 weeks is a bit extreme and a bit concerning re future character but if nothing else as long as you are seeing a slow improvement it means you are heading in the right direction.
Btw, re the o/night defecating, what time do you feed and what food?
The howling after 4 weeks is a bit extreme and a bit concerning re future character but if nothing else as long as you are seeing a slow improvement it means you are heading in the right direction.
Btw, re the o/night defecating, what time do you feed and what food?
bexVN said:
I asked because it is a very different breed choice to having a Spaniel so was just wondering if any particular reason people have different breed mixes all the time but it can prove a challenge when they have different needs!
The howling after 4 weeks is a bit extreme and a bit concerning re future character but if nothing else as long as you are seeing a slow improvement it means you are heading in the right direction.
Btw, re the o/night defecating, what time do you feed and what food?
Thanks again for the response. She gets fed dry food around 1800 and usually defecates just before we go to bed around 2300The howling after 4 weeks is a bit extreme and a bit concerning re future character but if nothing else as long as you are seeing a slow improvement it means you are heading in the right direction.
Btw, re the o/night defecating, what time do you feed and what food?
I would be inclined to put her on raw for starters - that should reduce the size and frequency of the output, and be a much better for her health wise (once you have read up sufficiently).
And some puppy's are just a lot harder work than others. Did you choose this one from the litter, if so was it the most outgoing or what?
And some puppy's are just a lot harder work than others. Did you choose this one from the litter, if so was it the most outgoing or what?
Not got much to add apart from our girl (we got 14month old boy and girl terrier crosses) still pisses on the kitchen floor during the night if we dont get up in time. The smaller boy can hold his all night even when he hasn't been outside before bed (because hes shotgunned the comfy dog bed).
From what ive read b
hes tend to struggle holding it in more than males.
Good luck with her though! I probably wouldnt have a breed known for being needy if i was working away alot. My two sit by the door for half an hour sometimes, waiting for me to come back in when i leave for work according to my mrs. So just because "someone" is in, it might not be helping her as dogs like stability.
Sure im telling you stuff you already know, i apologise if so!
From what ive read b
hes tend to struggle holding it in more than males. Good luck with her though! I probably wouldnt have a breed known for being needy if i was working away alot. My two sit by the door for half an hour sometimes, waiting for me to come back in when i leave for work according to my mrs. So just because "someone" is in, it might not be helping her as dogs like stability.
Sure im telling you stuff you already know, i apologise if so!
Jasandjules said:
I would be inclined to put her on raw for starters - that should reduce the size and frequency of the output, and be a much better for her health wise (once you have read up sufficiently).
And some puppy's are just a lot harder work than others. Did you choose this one from the litter, if so was it the most outgoing or what?
Funny - when we picked her up the breeder gave us some raw food in a kind of roll - it was pretty disgusting (to us humans at least !) and the vet suggested moving her onto biscuit based puppy food.And some puppy's are just a lot harder work than others. Did you choose this one from the litter, if so was it the most outgoing or what?
We got her from the most respected breeder in Weimy circles here in the Netherlands, however the "choosing" process was a little unusual. You don't choose the puppy the breeder organises a "dog behaviourist" to come an spend a day with the puppies and then matches a puppy with an owner based on what you want from the dog and your personality.
elephantstone said:
Not got much to add apart from our girl (we got 14month old boy and girl terrier crosses) still pisses on the kitchen floor during the night if we dont get up in time. The smaller boy can hold his all night even when he hasn't been outside before bed (because hes shotgunned the comfy dog bed).
From what ive read bhes tend to struggle holding it in more than males.
Good luck with her though! I probably wouldnt have a breed known for being needy if i was working away alot. My two sit by the door for half an hour sometimes, waiting for me to come back in when i leave for work according to my mrs. So just because "someone" is in, it might not be helping her as dogs like stability.
Sure im telling you stuff you already know, i apologise if so!
I know nothing - my wife is the dog owner From what ive read b
hes tend to struggle holding it in more than males. Good luck with her though! I probably wouldnt have a breed known for being needy if i was working away alot. My two sit by the door for half an hour sometimes, waiting for me to come back in when i leave for work according to my mrs. So just because "someone" is in, it might not be helping her as dogs like stability.
Sure im telling you stuff you already know, i apologise if so!
We did some research but just didn't pick up on the anxiety piece. Completely understand what your saying about needing stability - makes sense - but unfortunately it is what it is right now. I leave on a Monday or a Tuesday and come back on a Friday - unless like next week I'm doing a long haul trip when I'm gone for 2 weeks. My wife leaves at 0830 and comes home around 1800. And the mother in law arrives on a Sunday night and leaves on a Friday night - so yes your right - thats not exactly stable !
We'll stick with it as she really is a stunningly beautiful breed - but as I say - it is very stressful.
halfpenny43 said:
Jasandjules said:
I would be inclined to put her on raw for starters - that should reduce the size and frequency of the output, and be a much better for her health wise (once you have read up sufficiently).
And some puppy's are just a lot harder work than others. Did you choose this one from the litter, if so was it the most outgoing or what?
Funny - when we picked her up the breeder gave us some raw food in a kind of roll - it was pretty disgusting (to us humans at least !) and the vet suggested moving her onto biscuit based puppy food.And some puppy's are just a lot harder work than others. Did you choose this one from the litter, if so was it the most outgoing or what?
We got her from the most respected breeder in Weimy circles here in the Netherlands, however the "choosing" process was a little unusual. You don't choose the puppy the breeder organises a "dog behaviourist" to come an spend a day with the puppies and then matches a puppy with an owner based on what you want from the dog and your personality.
Mine's coming up for 7 now so speak with some experience (for what it's worth). Another 3 years and we'll be out of the puppy stage.
Mine comes to work with me but spends most of the day sleeping in the car. I often go out and leave him at home at weekends where he just sleeps the day away; On (rare) occasion 8-9 hours. So getting over the breeds anxiety trait can be done with a Weim'.
However... First morning at work he screamed the place down every time I left the office and kept at it for a week (might have been a month). That stopped eventually once I just started going about whatever I was doing and not paying any attention to the whining then he accepted it was normal for me to come and go. Similar with going out and leaving him. At first if I was out for a few mins I could hear him. So I went out and came back gradually increasing how long starting at seconds and working up to hours over time.
I tried crate training and the same there. In the end gave up as he was going to injure himself sooner or later; Once he bent the door inside and got wedged in the gap and it wasn't a cheap crappy one and took all my strength to get the door out. Once he was allowed to sleep in the bedroom (I know... and it get worse) he was a lot more settled. He'd happily go to sleep on his bed but took pity on me a couple of years later when the cat died and decided to take its place on the bed.
Toilet training took ages just as you describe but eventually he got it... but it took a long time.
If you do get to where I am though... 1) If you're with her get used to the dog being with you, EVERYWHERE; I've currently got 40kg of Weim on my lap and the laptop balance on his back. 2)If you give up, I'll take her, she's gorgeous!
Mine comes to work with me but spends most of the day sleeping in the car. I often go out and leave him at home at weekends where he just sleeps the day away; On (rare) occasion 8-9 hours. So getting over the breeds anxiety trait can be done with a Weim'.
However... First morning at work he screamed the place down every time I left the office and kept at it for a week (might have been a month). That stopped eventually once I just started going about whatever I was doing and not paying any attention to the whining then he accepted it was normal for me to come and go. Similar with going out and leaving him. At first if I was out for a few mins I could hear him. So I went out and came back gradually increasing how long starting at seconds and working up to hours over time.
I tried crate training and the same there. In the end gave up as he was going to injure himself sooner or later; Once he bent the door inside and got wedged in the gap and it wasn't a cheap crappy one and took all my strength to get the door out. Once he was allowed to sleep in the bedroom (I know... and it get worse) he was a lot more settled. He'd happily go to sleep on his bed but took pity on me a couple of years later when the cat died and decided to take its place on the bed.
Toilet training took ages just as you describe but eventually he got it... but it took a long time.
If you do get to where I am though... 1) If you're with her get used to the dog being with you, EVERYWHERE; I've currently got 40kg of Weim on my lap and the laptop balance on his back. 2)If you give up, I'll take her, she's gorgeous!
Many many yrs ago my parents had a weimaraner abandoned in their post office!!
Being softies (esp my Dad) they took him home!
They did try for a few months but he was destructive because he had to be left and very strong and not great on walks etc. It ended up good though because they managed to rehome him onto a farm, (rescue charity new the farmer well etc), Dad was gutted but for Sam it was the best thing they could have done for him.
Being softies (esp my Dad) they took him home!
They did try for a few months but he was destructive because he had to be left and very strong and not great on walks etc. It ended up good though because they managed to rehome him onto a farm, (rescue charity new the farmer well etc), Dad was gutted but for Sam it was the best thing they could have done for him.
AdiT said:
Mine's coming up for 7 now so speak with some experience (for what it's worth). Another 3 years and we'll be out of the puppy stage.
Mine comes to work with me but spends most of the day sleeping in the car. I often go out and leave him at home at weekends where he just sleeps the day away; On (rare) occasion 8-9 hours. So getting over the breeds anxiety trait can be done with a Weim'.
However... First morning at work he screamed the place down every time I left the office and kept at it for a week (might have been a month). That stopped eventually once I just started going about whatever I was doing and not paying any attention to the whining then he accepted it was normal for me to come and go. Similar with going out and leaving him. At first if I was out for a few mins I could hear him. So I went out and came back gradually increasing how long starting at seconds and working up to hours over time.
I tried crate training and the same there. In the end gave up as he was going to injure himself sooner or later; Once he bent the door inside and got wedged in the gap and it wasn't a cheap crappy one and took all my strength to get the door out. Once he was allowed to sleep in the bedroom (I know... and it get worse) he was a lot more settled. He'd happily go to sleep on his bed but took pity on me a couple of years later when the cat died and decided to take its place on the bed.
Toilet training took ages just as you describe but eventually he got it... but it took a long time.
If you do get to where I am though... 1) If you're with her get used to the dog being with you, EVERYWHERE; I've currently got 40kg of Weim on my lap and the laptop balance on his back. 2)If you give up, I'll take her, she's gorgeous!
Excellent post - thanks for that. Good to know that they get it eventually.Mine comes to work with me but spends most of the day sleeping in the car. I often go out and leave him at home at weekends where he just sleeps the day away; On (rare) occasion 8-9 hours. So getting over the breeds anxiety trait can be done with a Weim'.
However... First morning at work he screamed the place down every time I left the office and kept at it for a week (might have been a month). That stopped eventually once I just started going about whatever I was doing and not paying any attention to the whining then he accepted it was normal for me to come and go. Similar with going out and leaving him. At first if I was out for a few mins I could hear him. So I went out and came back gradually increasing how long starting at seconds and working up to hours over time.
I tried crate training and the same there. In the end gave up as he was going to injure himself sooner or later; Once he bent the door inside and got wedged in the gap and it wasn't a cheap crappy one and took all my strength to get the door out. Once he was allowed to sleep in the bedroom (I know... and it get worse) he was a lot more settled. He'd happily go to sleep on his bed but took pity on me a couple of years later when the cat died and decided to take its place on the bed.
Toilet training took ages just as you describe but eventually he got it... but it took a long time.
If you do get to where I am though... 1) If you're with her get used to the dog being with you, EVERYWHERE; I've currently got 40kg of Weim on my lap and the laptop balance on his back. 2)If you give up, I'll take her, she's gorgeous!
Maybe I could take it to work with me in the office - thats an idea for when I am at home.
We honestly had not read about the anxiety - and anyway would have assumed that being in the company of our Springer, would have coped. But you live an learn.
Thanks again.
Hi all
Brief update a few months further on and the puppy has just started to settle down.
Toilet training has succeeded and she always goes outside now. Sure we have the very occasional accident when we don't let her out often enough to pee - but that is our fault.
Bench training is going ok - it's easier when she is tired and she goes to her bench when told and sleeps for a few hours - however she sleeps constantly through the night after we moved her bench from the utility room to the living room next to our Springer.. However when she is not tired and gets put in the bench she still barks, howls and generally complains for a few minutes.
We've struggled a little with portion control from her biscuits - we though we were over feeding but her ribs were highly visible so the vet suggested to give slightly smaller portions more often which works well.
She snores like an old man - I have never heard anything so loud ! Very funny and apparently quite normal. The other thing she does when she sleeps is buries her head and tries to cover her eyes. Interesting to watch.
Thanks for all the help and advice here guys - very helpful.
Brief update a few months further on and the puppy has just started to settle down.
Toilet training has succeeded and she always goes outside now. Sure we have the very occasional accident when we don't let her out often enough to pee - but that is our fault.
Bench training is going ok - it's easier when she is tired and she goes to her bench when told and sleeps for a few hours - however she sleeps constantly through the night after we moved her bench from the utility room to the living room next to our Springer.. However when she is not tired and gets put in the bench she still barks, howls and generally complains for a few minutes.
We've struggled a little with portion control from her biscuits - we though we were over feeding but her ribs were highly visible so the vet suggested to give slightly smaller portions more often which works well.
She snores like an old man - I have never heard anything so loud ! Very funny and apparently quite normal. The other thing she does when she sleeps is buries her head and tries to cover her eyes. Interesting to watch.
Thanks for all the help and advice here guys - very helpful.
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