is a weimaraner right for me??

aynot1987 · Puppy Joined: 25 May 2008 Posts: 5

I have been trying to decide what breed of dog is right for me. This will be the first dog to train on my own. Growing up my dad did all the dog training. The dogs we had growing up were Airedales and a miniature schnauzer. Now I have narrowed it down to a few breeds that I like and have been reading up on them all.
When reading on weimaraners I have read that..If relegated to a kennel life or if left alone too much, he can become very destructive and restless. This is the only thing that i am nervous about when it comes to this breed only because I work 12 hour shifts 3-4 days a week.
Is this too much time for the dog to be left alone...or if you start them out with you gone that long will they be fine??
If you have any info that will help me that will be greatly appreciated
thanks!!

manchvegas · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 12:33 pm Post subject:

12 hours is a long time...is there someone you could hire to walk the dog on the days you work? Bathroom breaks would be an issue with this much time as well. Perhaps you could find an older weim in rescue that would be suited to this kind of schedule? I know there are many on the forum that do work 8 hour schedules, so it likely could be done. I can't imagine doing it with a pup though....I think 12 hours a day in a crate would result in a lot of pent up energy and frustration.

Good for you for thinking these things through BEFORE you get a dog....

waitingonmyweim · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 3:06 pm Post subject:

I don't think it would be fair to leave ANY dog for 12 hours on a regular basis, especially Weims. Weims are people dogs, they have to be with you constantly (as I've been learning dog sitting this past week). Even just to the bathroom!

If you could arrange for someone to come spend some time with him in the day, a walk and bathroom break and some attention then maybe you could make it work.

Cause I'm thinking if you work a 12 hour shift, add in travel time and you're probably gone 13+ hours....

Indian · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject:

My two wiems are left alone, out of crates, for 11 hours a day, four days a week. I have no problems what so ever with ether. My last wiem was left alone, out of crate, for 12 hours on a 4/3 shift. No problems whats so ever with her ether. I know I'll take some heat on this, It really depends on being smart with your house, as in, Whats left out, ect. Basically wiem proofing your house. And spending a good three to four hours RIGOROUSLY EXERCISING your dog after you get home. Wiems are VERY, Let me stress that again...VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE dogs. If you can't make that kind of a DAILY commitment, For 11 to 14 years EVERY DAY...DO NOT GET A WIEM. As you will just be adding another wiem to the already ridiculously large wiems in need of a home pool.

ange165 · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 7:16 pm Post subject:

Maybe you could look at doggy day care when your at work?

waitingonmyweim · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject:

rejoh0605 · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 7:32 pm Post subject:

I work from 7-4 and my fiance gets home at 3. So Wilson is in his crate for no longer than 8 hours. We have noticed that if he is in his crate for even 30 mins longer he is just that much more hyper. In my opinion it would be very stressful on you to give the weim the attention and EXERCISE it needs. I feel guilty leaving him for the 7-8 hours that i leave him in his crate. I dont see how i could make it work on that schedule but if you can make it work then more power to you. I would just hate to see you get it and then have to give it up .

Indian · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject:

anne · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 8:20 pm Post subject:

It can be done but you better know what you are doing..... And since you are new to the breed and kinda sorta new to having your own dog, I would discourage it with being gone so long. My dogs have no problems being alone for 12+ hours, whether by themselves or together, as long as they have a way to get out and eliminate (dog door). Actually they can probably hold it that long, but I feel that is pretty inhumane. Of course I have older dogs right now. For a puppy, 12 hours is impossible.

versatilek9s · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 1:42 am Post subject:

My husband and I are both nurses, so we have a similar schedule to what you describe. "My" first dog was a weim that I got in college, so that's also similar. Know that they aren't kidding when they say how much time, effort, and eventual reward comes with these dogs!

You absolutely can make it work, but understand from the beginning that it will be work! Work to prevent separation anxiety, work to develop a potty schedule, work to socialize the dog as much as you can on your days off. My dogs get run, roaded, and hunted on my days off, but settle for a short run in the am when I work.

We just got a new puppy about a week ago, and scheduled ourselves in a way that someone will be home with her constantly--but she still has alone time. We had "puppy sleepovers" with our other dogs as youngsters, when either a friend or our parents would watch them on nights so as not to sabotage crate training. You have to be creative!

You also definitely need either a doggie door or a really good friend to take the dog out!

Hope that helps!

Meredith

anne · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 11:24 am Post subject:

HEY MEREDITH!!
How's your JJ pup? Smile

My good friend just got a Duke/Jazzy pup over the weekend. I'm so excited! Smile

DanniGirl · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject:

Is this same Meredith from the Versatile Forum?

aynot1987 · Puppy Joined: 25 May 2008 Posts: 5

thank you all so much for your input....i will do some more thinking and see what i can do with extra help and my work schedule

Thanks again

aynot1987 · Puppy Joined: 25 May 2008 Posts: 5

also...could you explain or give more detail about weim proofing your house...
im sure you would need to put things away that can be chewed up...but what else??
thanks again

versatilek9s · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject:

Yep, one in the same Very Happy

Anne, Macy is wonderful!! She is going to be a little spitfire!

Re: puppy proofing...You can never keep everything away from their jaws, so it's important to teach "leave it" and sometimes set them up with an "illegal" item and catch them in the act. And they'll still chew up something--my girls occasionally shred toilet paper, newspaper, cardboard--it's inevitable. If you're a neat freak or someone who absolutely has to have nice things, a weim might not be the right choice! Very Happy

meredith