Weimaraners... Woofgang (or others who knows about Weimaraners)

[kaktus]

My parents got them self a new dog, Luna, earlier this year. She's a wonderful eight months old sweetheart - a quarter Weimaraner and the rest is Labrador. The problem/question is that even though my mum has had dogs all her life, she has never had a weimaraner. She got her because she was told, and my mum thought so too, that Luna was very lab like, but she isn't. As far as we can understand she is a typical weimaraner and very different from a lab. For example the little darling obviously doesn't have a very robust psyche.

So how to treat a weimaraner? As my mum says, Luna needs to be told that she is loved all the time, disciplining her has to be done very gently. Does anyone have some good tips and info on weimaraners, not dog handling in general but on that particular breed?
BTW she gets on very well with the other dog a seven year old lab and the car.
Thanks.

[kaktus]

cat, cat, cat - the cat not the car...

She does like to be in the car though :)

[kaktus]

oops I forgot to ask another thing.

Does weimaraners in general get very easily cold or is it just this one?

[Eels]

Probably just that one! They're a lovely intelligent breed, very boisterous and lively, and loyal to their owners. It sounds from what you've said that your dog doesn't fit this description too closely - but that doesn't matter, because although there are breed traits to look out for, all dogs are individuals as you know, so love her for whatever she is!

[kaktus]

Thanks eels. My parents (and me) wouldn't dream of not loving her :) They're just scared that they'll make her a sad dog without intention.

BTW I must have described her badly, because she is a VERY lively and VERY loving dog, she just seems a bit less robust than ei. labs. My mum has been told that you have to be a bit careful with weimaraners, it's just how careful? She also seems to have a very short concentration span and gets easily bored, but that could just be her age I guess. It's a bit hard to describe as I only see her when I visit my parents :)

Thanks for the answer!

[drgnrdr]

I know you did not ask for "dog handling" tips, but I have to ask, Is she shivering like little trembles or only shiver when you take her out in the very cold weather? If she trembles when in the comfort of your home, look to see what is happening, she may be nervous or afraid of something going on. She also likes to be reassured allot with your mom, ie.."needs to be told that she is loved"? She is demanding attention.. always correct her gently she sounds nervous and unsure and has no self confidence and is trying to get some, she is a "teen", juvenile, in her development stage right now. Unsure what kind of socializing she got as a pup before she turned 5 months. Since you do not see the dog enough you can't answer my questions, but I type this to let others see and let them go "mmm?"

Both types of dog are suppose to be hardy for hunting, so am not sure how chilled they get, since they are suppose to be out and running thru hill and dale and in water. So if she does this is why I say she might be nervous when shivering.

They should check out a positive reinforcement training class, it will help them understand their dog better, many new techniques have been developed just in the last few years. Check it out, (anyone reading this).

[woofgang]

We are on our third adult and they have all been very sensitive to disapproval, but I wouldn't say they had frail psyches!! They do recognise who the boss(es) is/are and can be easily corrected by them but if they don't view you as boss then up go the metaphorical 2 fingers and the havoc begins.

If she is a rescue then you might be seeing the result of previous harshness, they are very bright and easily bored, the devil finds work for idle paws and I could inmagine someone not prepared for a scene of carnage really losing it big time and terrifying the dog. I have found that calm jolly firmness (think hearty children's nurse) works better than gentle reassurance.

They are tough dogs when running around and warm, but are single coated and dislike moving slowly or standing around in the cold. We used to take thames boating holidays with ours and bought coats for them because they felt the cold going along on the water on chilly days, however once stopped, they would happily race around and dive into the freezing river.

I have often felt that I would have liked to meet the chap who bred the first weimaraners. At a time when hunting dogs were kennelled and diciplined with the whip, he bred a fine coated comfort loving breed who can be disciplined with a whisper and are only truly happy in the family. At the same time, they will face a boar and can track over miles to their quarry.

Let me know how things go.

[woofgang]

PS yes they are bright and easily bored, keep the training short and varied and make sure that she is mentally tired when left alone!!

[clair3934]

I have a 14 month old weim and he absolutely loves attention he's just like a giant cat he loves to curl up on your lap and go to sleep, as far as disapline goes i find if he dose something bad putting him in the kitchen away from people works wonders, because they hate being away from people they soon work out to stay put they have to behave, I must say though they are a very strong willed dogs not like labradors and will push there luck. they are very intellegent and need a lot of stimulation but because of this they do bore very easily so puzzle balls with treats and training are essential other wise they go nuts. a good book to get about weims is Weimararner by Lavonia Harper from the petlove range it cost about �10 but its well worth it.

[kaktus]

Thanks for the answers and sorry I took so long to respond, I wasn�t trying to be rude :)

drgnrdr The reason I ask if they're a cold breed is because she practically wants to sleep inside the radiators. My mum also tried something similar to positive reinforcement training and the usual puppy training. Unfortunately they didn't have a clue about weimaraners both places and refused to understand just how easily bored she is. Moreover the Danish weimaraner club offers no training because there are so few of the breed in the country.

Woofgang Thanks a lot. My mum has had a lot of problems when the dogs were alone even though they're usual only alone for a couple of hours when my mum is out riding the horse and going to the shops. She has begun giving them frozen bones when she leaves and that works wonders!

Clair I�ll try and find that book. It is absolutely amazing so little there is about weimaraners in Denmark.

Finally my mum and I say thanks once again. Your answers are much appreciated!