I really do love my dogs, really.

lilnanm

Hey,
I have two dogs right now. Only one is a Weim. The other is a half Black Lab half Newfie. I have wanted to start breeding Weims for a long time just because I thought they were gorgeous and knew there was a market for them. I planned on thoroughly researching and learning about the breed before getting one. Then my husband bought me one for our anniversary. Sweet, right? Well I bought a book and did the research, but there's no better way to open your eyes than experience. I love Gracie, really, but I'm having a lot of trouble training her. She's almost a year and hasn't stopped peeing in her box and will eat everything in sight, or try to. She also won't stop chewing up things no matter how much we scold her. The worst part is, she's teaching our other dog these bad habits and she was always a very well behaved dog. I need serious help and can't find an answer. This is my last resort because my house smells horribly of dog urine and my husband wants to get rid of her and my dreams of breeding. HELP!

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 9:14 pm Post subject: all that jazz

oh god, please dont say "a market". dont treat them like a commodity, they are pets, companions, we really dont need that many more of them... just browse through the rescue groups out there. i got 2 puppies... sort of spoiled myself, always wanted one, or two... but this is my one shot at that... i plan get rescue dogs in the future, now that i know what a weim is all about, hopefully i can do well with a weim with baggage. so, advice #1... dont treat them like income.

not to get too comfortable on my soap box, but make sure your dog is healthy before breeding... a thorough background check of her family history and a good look at her hips is a place to start.

regarding the peeing, etc. i imagine you are referring to her crate, i think this has been discussed a lot on here... dig around in recent posts, there was a discussion of crate size and peeing last week.

as for training, that is also on here, including a recent discussion about how to wear your weim out before going to obedience school. mine have chewed 3 things of any importance lifetime... they have a toy box, stuffed full of toys, including new additions on a regular basis. directs their chewing... and a lot of playing/exercise every night. im nearly out of grass at this point (check the photo discussion for the naughty weim photos... you can see my dirt).

ill let others pick up from here, but i think there is a lot of good advice on this forum regarding your problems... hopefully this helps, and sorry to jump on the soap box... the breeding is just a rub with me.

lilnanm · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 7:55 am Post subject:

Sorry about the "market" remark. I really didn't mean to sound crass. My dogs are, in every way, pets, not income. In the beginning, I didn't know about all the Weim rescue places there are. I will definitely take this into account when adopting in the future. Embarassed

What I Really want are a couple of pets that would be able to have puppies. I didn't want to have the puppies and not be able to find them a home. I didn't want to have a breed that no one knows or wants. I hope this clears things up for you. I should really re read these before I post them to make sure my meaning is clear.

I really do love my dogs and I am learning new and different ways to deal with them. As I said, this is my first Weim, and I didn't know she would be so different. This forum is VERY helpful, and I can already see a change in Gracie. Thanks ever so much! Puppy face

WeiMe · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 6:13 am Post subject:

Have you looked into an obedience class? These are great not just for training the dog but are really good for the owners too. The instructors are usually very knowledgeable and can give good advice on problem behaviors.

How much exercise does your pup get? Is she crated for long periods of time? Weimaraners were bred to be active hunting dogs that are very intelligent. If they do not get enough exercise and mental stimulation they can turn destructive. I walk my dog at least a couple of miles a day but sometimes much longer. She spends most of the rest of the day asleep on the couch.

I know you have expressed a desire to breed her but having her spayed would probably help. It might be better than having to get rid of her.

lilnanm · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 6:24 am Post subject:

That is a beautiful photo!

In response to the dog training, yes, I have thought about it. I know it would be good for both of us.

Gracie is crated during the day when we are gone. I am only gone about three days a week while the kids are at school, not every day. I am realizing that she needs way more exercise than I give her. I had thought that I was giving her enough. Now I know not nearly. This site has been really good for us, and I thank everyone so much!

WeiMe · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 7:55 am Post subject:

Thanks. Remember they will eventually grow out of the puppy stage. It may take a couple of years but it is worth it. Very Happy

lilnanm · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 10:27 am Post subject:

In regards to getting Gracie spayed, I had hoped that having a litter of pups might calm her a little, too. Any thoughts on this?

lilnanm · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 10:32 am Post subject:

I also think her chewing problem is a little my kids' fault. They leave toys and personal items laying around. You would think that after having something that you love chewed to pieces, you would be more careful. Not my girls! Rolling Eyes

Duchess · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 12:03 pm Post subject:

In regards to getting Gracie spayed, I had hoped that having a litter of pups might calm her a little, too. Any thoughts on this?

This is just an old wives tale. Breeding her will not calm her down. I have a friend that has a Giant Schnauzer, bred her and now she is horrible. She is very aggressive toward other dogs and some humans. The puppies have been weaned and are gone, she is still aggressive. Breeding this dog really messed her up.
Also the old saying "let them have one litter before they are spayed..." that's nonsense. I have 2 females and a male. My daughter also as a female. We only bought 2 of them...the other 2 are rescues. People get these guys because they are pretty, and different. They don't do research and have no clue as to what they are getting into. I think weimies are great, but they are not for eveybody. You will never make money.
There are so many in rescue and that end up at the pound it is so sad.

Sounds to me like your girl just needs some training and stimulation for her. My girls have to be worked with everyday, playing ball, fetch w/their "stick" working on down and sit and stay. Whatever we can think of for them to "do". It just makes for a better companion. I swear sometimes I think Tess and Duchess could talk. They have to have alot of interaction. They are crated at night and all is well.

Just please think about breeding before you actually breed. There is alot to it. We had talked about breeding our girls when they were younger, then I did all the research and started seeing how many were in rescue...No breeding for us. They are all spayed/neutered and have never been bred.

lilnanm · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the helpful hints. I'm starting to think of not breeding Gracie, too. I may just get her fixed and call it a day. Maybe in the future I'll do a rescue or two.

Duchess · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 3:14 pm Post subject:

lilnanm,

Good For you!!! Very Happy