Your Weimaraner & Separation Anxiety

 Separation anxiety is one of the most common problems that Weimaraners seem to develop. It is an anxiety disorder, and is defined as a state of intense panic brought on by your Weimaraner’s isolation/separation from you.
 In other words: when you leave for work in the morning, your Weimaraner is plunged into a state of nervous anxiety which intensifies extremely quickly and often results in complaints, from neighbours, when you return.
Weimaraner’s are social animals – they need plenty of company and social interaction to keep them happy and content. No dog likes to be left alone for long stretches of time, but Weimaraner’s can react a lot worse than others.
It doesn’t just affect Weimaraners – some breeds are genetically predisposed towards anxiety and insecurity, which is something you should consider when deciding which breed you’d prefer (particularly if you’re going to be absent for long stretches of time). A few of these breeds include Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, and Airedales.
A significant proportion of dogs from shelters develop separation anxiety. Most of these ’shelter dogs’ have undergone significant trauma in their lives – they’ve been abandoned by their previous owners – and thus they have little trust that their new-found owner (you) isn’t going to pull the same trick. A lot of Weimaraner owners can’t cope and end up taking theirs to a shelter. Now imagine a Weimaraner that’s also a Shelter Dog!
If you’re absent much more than you’re present in your Weimaraner’s life, separation anxiety is pretty much inevitable. Your Weimaraner needs your company, affection, and attention in order to be happy and content.
The symptoms of separation anxiety are pretty distinctive: your Weimaraner will usually learn to tell when you’re about to leave (she’ll hear keys jingling, will see you putting on your outdoor clothes, etc) and will become anxious. She may follow you from room to room, whining, trembling, and crying. Some Weimaraners even become aggressive, in an attempt to stop their owners from leaving.
When you’ve left, the anxious behavior will rapidly worsen and usually will peak within half an hour. She may bark incessantly, scratch and dig at windows and doors (an attempt to escape from confinement and reunite herself with you), chew inappropriate items, even urinate and defecate inside the house. In extreme cases, she might self-mutilate by licking or chewing her skin until it’s raw, or pulling out fur; or will engage in obsessive-compulsive behaviors, like spinning and tail-chasing.
Upon your return, she’ll be excessively excited, and will leap around you in a frenzy of delight for a protracted period of time (more than the 30 seconds to one minute of a happy, well-balanced dog.)
This extended greeting is a source of some misunderstanding: without realising that such a greeting actually signifies the presence of a psychological disorder, some owners actually encourage their Weimaraner to get more and more worked up upon their return (by fuelling the Weimaraner’s excitement, encouraging her to leap around, paying her protracted attention, and so on.)
If you’re behaving in this way with your Weimaraner, please stop. I know it’s tempting and very easy to do, and it seems harmless – after all, she’s so happy to see you, what harm can it do to return her attention and affection in equal measure? – but in actuality, you’re just validating her belief that your return is the high point of the day. She’ll extremely happy when you return – but, when it’s time for you to leave again, her now-exaggerated happiness at your presence is under threat, and she gets even more unhappy when you walk out that door.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to minimise your Weimaraner’s tendency towards anxiety. Here’s a short list of do’s and don’ts:

Do:
Exercise the heck out of her. Really wear her out: the longer you expect to be away, the more exercise she should get before you leave. For example, if you’re leaving for work in the morning, she’ll probably be by herself for at least four hours; and, if you’ve got a dog-walker to take her out mid-day instead of coming back yourself, she won’t see you – the person she really cares about – for at least nine hours. So she needs a good, vigorous walk (fifteen to twenty minutes is the absolute minimum here!) before you walk out that door. More is even better.

Distract her from her boredom, loneliness, and anxiety by giving her an attractive alternative to pining, pacing, and whining. All dogs love to chew – why not play on this predisposition? Get a couple of marrowbones from the butcher, bake them in the oven for 20 minutes (so they go nice and hard and crunchy – and so she can’t smear marrow all over your furniture), slice them up into chunks of a few inches long, and give her one about 15 minutes before you leave. It’ll keep her happy and occupied, and will act as a smokescreen for your departure.

When you leave, put the radio on to a soothing station: classical music is ideal, but any station featuring lots of talk shows is also ideal. Keep the volume quite low, and it’ll calm her down a bit and give her the feeling that she’s got company.

If at all possible, supply her with a view: if she can see the world going by, that’s the next best thing to being out and about in it.

Acclimatize her to your leaving. Taking things nice and slowly, practice getting ready to go: jingle your keys about, put on your coat, and open the door. Then – without leaving! – sit back down and don’t go anywhere. Do this until she’s not reacting any more. When there’s no reaction, give her a treat and lavish praise for being so brave. Next, practice actually walking out the door (and returning immediately), again doing this until there’s no reaction. Gradually work up – gradually being the operative word here! – until you’re able to leave the house with no signs of stress from her.

Do not:

Act overtly sympathetic when she’s crying. Although it sounds very cold-hearted, trying to soothe and comfort your Weimaraner by patting her and cooing over her is actually one of the worst things you can do: it’s essentially validating her concern. Make sure she can’t tell that you feel sorry for her: don’t ever say, “It’s OK, good girl” when she’s upset!

It’s a great learning tool for anyone who wants to learn how to deal constructively with their Weimaraner’s problem behaviors.

All of the common behavioral problems are dealt with in detail, and there’s a great section on obedience commands and tricks . I simply wouldn’t have survived 5 years, with my own Weimaraner, without this information!

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My Weimaraner puppies have a rash/zit on their belly and behind their neck. What could it be caused by?

They are both 5 months old and they eat Purina Dog Chow Puppies

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How to Train a Weimaraner

Striking looks, sleek, speedy, and strong…

These are the first impressions a Weimaraner usually gets.

The Weimaraner Vorstehhund, also dubbed as the “grey ghost”, is a product of German selective breeding. It was a breed favored by royalty by German royalty. They are strong gun dogs with great perseverance and courage. They will stop at nothing to please their hunting masters.

They are beautiful dogs with a regal stance that most people appreciate. Weimaraners are relatively large dogs with long muscular limbs. Their coats are short and hard but there are rare types with semi-long coats, and they usually come in silvery and gray colors.

Since they have short coats, grooming maintenance is very low but they can drool and bark excessively. Drooling problems may never be solved but with barking, training and extensive early socializing may minimize the unpleasant behavior.

Weimaraners are originally bred to become large game hunters. Animals like boars, deer, and even bears. But with the decline of large game popularity, they eventually adapted to small game hunting. Because of their original hunting inclinations, they are not intimidated with size and seem brave in all occasions.

They are very athletic and thrive in physical activities. Exercise is essential to Weimaraners. Lack of physical and mental stimulation will make them restless and may cause them to become disorderly inside the house. If often left alone, they will channel their energy to destructive behaviors like chewing furniture and footwear. It is also common for them to steal food from tables and counter tops. Bad habits like this need to be eradicated as quickly as possible.

They are affectionate and loving dogs and also very protective of their owners. They have great guarding instincts and they are likely to be very territorial. Weimaraners can be aloof and hostile to strangers. If they are not socialized extensively as puppies they tend to become very aggressive.

When dealing with Weimaraners, owners must be firm and take the role of the “pack leader”. Weimaraners can be very stubborn and willful. Therefore, owners must train them with effective positive reinforcement methods to counter these behavioral problems. Passive and meek owners will find it difficult to manage Weimaraners. Natural authority must be established over them.

Weimaraners desire companionship. They like to be with the family’s “pack”. They will feel awful if left for their own. Weimaraners are generally affable to children but their pure physicality and highly excitable nature can cause accidents, such as knocking children and elderly people down.

They are highly trainable and intelligent dogs. They must be trained extensively with positive reinforcement. Weimaraners like to be praised and rewarded with treats. Positive reinforcement is the best way to control and train them. Calm behavior training is also essential for these dogs. They will eventually mature, although slow, into a mild-mannered temperament.

Weimaraners are common to gastric torsion, a painful and fatal condition. To prevent this, Weimaraners feedings must be spread at least twice daily. But to be sure, because Weimaraners are seriously susceptible to this condition, have a vet’s contact number ready.

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Weimaraner 4 months pointing training

Weimaraner 4 months pointing training

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How much do weimaraner puppies cost?

what is the average/hi/lo cost of these puppies?

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Weimaraner Puppies 2010 Mini Wall

Weimaraner Puppies 2010 Mini Wall

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Choosing Your New Weimaraner Puppy

The decision to purchase or adopt a Weimaraner puppy is not one to be taken lightly! Weimaraners are notoriously athletic and extremely energetic. They are ideal for people who jog or run regularly, those who have large yards in which to play with and exercise their dogs, or nature-lovers who plan to hike, camp, and explore with their new pet. Weimaraners can keep up with their humans even if they have the most active lifestyle imaginable, but can become very bored and depressed if not properly exercised. Boredom and depression in dogs can lead to many behavioral issues, including aggression and other destructive behaviors. If you do not lead an active lifestyle or do not have plenty of time to devote to a new household companion, the Weimaraner breed is not for you.

The first step in adopting any puppy or dog, Weimaraner or otherwise, is to research the kennel or breeder from which you are going to acquire your new pet. It is a good rule of thumb to avoid pet stores in general, as many pet stores sell dogs that are improperly bred or inbred, and this can result in severe health and temperament problems. If you choose to adopt your Weimaraner from a kennel or shelter, make sure that you are able to handle an adult dog and deal with any behavioral issues that may have developed in previous ownership. Many shelter dogs have been improperly trained, neglected, or even abused, and you will need to do some extra training work with your new friend to efficiently correct these behaviors. If you choose to purchase your new Weimaraner puppy from a breeder, you should do your research exactly as you would in any other large investment. Ask to speak to owners of pups sired by a potential breeder, verify bloodlines to ensure that there has been no inbreeding, and ask for AKC registration. All responsible and reputable breeders will be willing and happy to hand over this information. After all, it is there job to assure that your new pet will be a happy and health addition to your home!

If you are dead-set on having a pet Weimaraner, you should research the breed as much as possible prior to purchasing or adopting your new companion. Weimaraners, as such energetic and intelligent animals, need constant stimulation and lots of physical activity. Fortunately, this makes them ideal for various competitions. From being shown in the ring to taking part in agility, hunting, and obedience trials, Weimaraners excel at competition. The training process for these types of competitions not only provides you with a fantastic boding experience for you and your dog, but it will provide much of the necessary exercise and mental stimulation that Weimaraners so desperately need.

Basic temperament testing when going to look at litter of puppies is always a good idea, as well. Checking for responsiveness, attentiveness, and energy levels is a good indication of the trainability of your future pup. If one puppy repeatedly ignores you while another wants to jump in your lap and play, it will tell you a lot about what kind of dog your new friend will become when he or she grows up! Pay close attention and do extensive research before acquiring any new puppy to ensure that you will have a happy, healthy pet that suits your lifestyle.

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The Invisible Command: How You May Be Sabotaging Your Dog Training Efforts

I was sitting in the waiting room of my local HMO with a sinus infection and happened to pick up the recent issue of Outdoor Life magazine. Actually, it was the only thing to read, but that didn’t bother me as most hunting publications usually include at least one article on dog training.

I was lucky, as this month’s dog training article was interesting enough for me to tie into this week’s e-zine issue.

On page 36, sandwiched between the ‘Professional Bass Tournament’article and the “His camo-painted truck and ‘Kiss My Bass’ bumper sticker are the only endorsements you’ll ever need” advertisement, I found a story by veteran dog man, Larry Mueller.

Mueller recants meeting 82 year-old James Evans, of Naruna, Va. who owned an 11 year-old Lab-weimaraner cross that could allegedly multiply numbers!!!

Mueller states that, “Evans decided to teach [his] dog to count to 10… ‘What’s the first number?’ One bark. ‘What comes after one?’ Two barks. And so on. [His] dog counted backward, too, in addition to correctly answering what comes before or after any number not exceeding 10.”

As a professional dog trainer, I hear amazing stories like this all the time. The only problems is that upon further investigation… they NEVER turn out to be true.

Mueller writes, “Evans began to suspect that [the] dog was reading his mind.”

However, anyone who has studied the dog’s mind (and canine behavior in general) knows that:

1.) Dogs can’t read our mind. They read our body language.

2.) Dogs can’t do math. Especially multiplication.

Mueller must have come to the same conclusion as I did, because he decided to review several video tapes of Evans and his dog performing their multiplication trick. But it wasn’t until he actually met with Evans that he was able to ascertain how the dog was figuring out the math problems.

“All I knew for sure was that James Evans was no trickster trying to deceive the public for gain,” and that the old man had wanted to know how the dog did it, as much as anyone.

Mueller continues, “I studied the video tape and recognized that the word, ‘ What’s ‘ could be the cue to start barking. I thought the signal to stop might be Evans withdrawing his hand from his pocket with a kibble reward. But it didn’t correlate, so I asked Evans if I could rig something to tell us the approximate location of the cue, if there was one.”

To make a long story longer, Mueller found that when the dog could not see Evans, he stopped getting the answers right! After further study, Mueller noted, “I noticed an almost imperceptible twitch– a reflex action like a blink occurring without conscious thought… I asked Evans to stand motionless. He found it difficult, and [his] dog’s barks in answer to his questions [became] random.” When Evans wasn’t allowed to subconsciously cue the dog, the dog was no longer able to come up with the correct answers.

In sum, the dog was relying on his owner for the answers. Which, in and of itself is a pretty impressive feat, even if it isn’t comparable to knowing your multiplication tables!

Here’s two examples that probably apply to your daily training:

1.) Many owners tend to start bending over before telling their dog the, “Down” command. Because of this, the dog starts to cue off the owner’s body language (just as Evan’s dog did) and lays down anytime the owner bends over… but not if the owner stands up straight and issues the command!

Solution: Always give the command FIRST, before bending over and making the dog do it. This way, the dog will link the behavior with the command, rather than with your body language.

2.) Amateur handlers tend to tell their dog “Heel,” and then walk with their shoulders angled back towards their dog, so that they can look at their dog while they’re walking.

The problem with this is that the dog reads your body language and attempts to align himself with your shoulders, thus lagging behind the owner, rather than walking in the heel position (aligned with your left heal.)

Solution: Keep both shoulders straight forward as you walk. If you need to look at your dog (you should)… cock your head, without angling your shoulders. This will keep your dog lined up right alongside you.

That’s all for now, folks!

Adam

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Does anybody know where I can find pictures of those dogs in outfits from Sesame Street?

The type of dog was a “Weimaraner” apparently. Can anybody help! I remember the pictures from back in the day when they were on the show but cant find them online! I would LOVE if anybody could help me!

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Weimaraner pictures?

Does anyone know any where that I can find some pictures of Weimaraner dogs? Or do you have any pictures of them?

Thanks!
oh & I really like Weimaraners with blue eyes!

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