Training

dmi2 · Puppy Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 7

I just discovered this site and am excited to share my knowledge of raising Wiems. As all have discovered or are discovering this breed is an exceptional breed to train and live with. I will not work on house training. Wiems are very independent and stubborn. Wiems always pick out the individual that is the most dominate person to listen to for direction. This is why it is important that the entire family is on the same page as far as training. All training must be done in the exact same manner, there are no exceptions! Your pet will prove this to you by showing his disobedience to one or the others. If it is not possible for all family members to participate in the daily training, all the commands from the dominant person need to be applied by all persons that are involved with your Wiems training. As pups (3 to 6 months) I would work with the sit command first. Hand signals with voice. IE: 1-finger + say sit. Many people give up on their Wiems before the first year. You have to have patience! You need to expect that your Wiem will always test your authority. In my experience Wiems are not ready for specialized training until they make the 1 year mark. It is very important that you work with your Wiem every day on your commands. Once you have tricked them to sit (they will only do it when they want) be patient until your Wiem has reached 8 months old. The next step is to teach them to stay. STAY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMAND THIS BREED NEEDS TO LEARN! Start them with the sit command and then show a full hand, command stay, as early as 6 months but do not expect results. This is a very difficult time with your Wiem but with everyday work will prove it's results. Work on the stay command by walking away further and further and calling them to you to come to you and giving the command to sit when they get to you. As they get older keep this up and do not expect results until they are16 months old. The stay command must be mastered. The stay command will lead to the complete mastering for your Wiem. This will lead to walking your Wiem without a lease and they will come at your command no matter what command you use to call them. Jumping, biting, running away, barking are much easier to control than you think. I have raised 4 generations of Wiems and can give you advise about how to handle them but it will take alot of dedication to their needs. You need to realize you did not get this breed to satisfy you but to satisfy them. These are the most loving family members you will ever have and they want your guidance. Don't give up, they are like a 2 year old child until they are 5. If you need more advise please feel free to contact me.

sterlingsmom · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:56 pm Post subject:

okayyyy...haven't been able to get my 7-month old rescue to stop peeing in the crate...very curious to see if you have any "new" things I can try because believe me, I've tried it ALL.

dmi2 · Puppy Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 7

The cage is not a good option for potty training this breed for some reason. I have tried this option for many years with no results. Every Wiem i have tried to cage train has always done the same. I assume you keep your Wiem inside as most of us do. My only success has been to when i feed them or after they have had a drink of water is to take them outside each time. I take them outside and stand with them and praise them for completing the job. I'm sure your only problem is peeing in the house am i correct?

jkashlak · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject:

I think our problems are them peeing in the crate while we are away.

sterlingsmom · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:34 pm Post subject:

the only problem he has is in his crate. I taught him how to ring a bell to go outside to pee...he never has an accident in the house at all.
He LOVES his crate too...he goes in there on his own and doesn't bark or howl or cry, so it's not separation anxiety related either...

dmi2 · Puppy Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 7

Your right! Every time you leave he/she is uncomfortable about being left alone and this will happen. I have dealt with this many times. I'm not sure but you may have tried to cover the cage and your Wiem has drug the cover into the cage. You have probably stood outside and heard he/she bark and bark. I'm not sure of your environment for your Wiem as far as being able to let he/she stay outside? Fill me in on more details of your habitat!

DukesMom · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:41 pm Post subject:

Well I have been training my Duke from the age of 12 weeks the sit/stay/come/lay down/stand up/heel/eave it etc commands and he is not even 6 months old and I take him to the park and let him off leash and he will stay as I walk with my back to him and walk to the other end of the park. He will not move an inch until I call him or walk back to him. And he stays right next to me off leash walking. So I don't think you have to wait til a year old to teach this.

sterlingsmom · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:47 pm Post subject:

sterlingsmom · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:49 pm Post subject:

also, he is only allowed outside when I am home. I do not leave him outside by himself...ever...and he lets me know by ringing the bell every single time he needs to go out.

Banshee13 · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject:

dmi2 · Puppy Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 7

Dukesmom is correct. You need to start as early as you can. Most individuals who decide to take this breed on do not have the time to dedicate to what this breed needs for attention. They see the breed and fall in love with it's looks but have no idea of what they are in store for. If you have the time to dedicate to them as younger pups they will respond very eagerly. They are easily trained. It takes a good loving person with patience to handle this breed. You cannot be an dictating trainer. They respond to playful repetitiveness. Early training of all commands is encourage but do nit be disappointed if your Wiem does not respond as quickly as you would like.

jkashlak · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:54 pm Post subject:

When Bailey was a pup (Under 6 months) no lie I would leave the house for 15 minutes and pee would be everywhere!! He had no bedding in there either because he would pile it up in a corner and use it as a potty!! Smart *bum* dogs LOL. Thank goodness he grew out of it, took a long time though. Sorry Sterlingsmom Sad

sterlingsmom · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:00 pm Post subject:

sterlingsmom · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject:

sterlingsmom · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:07 pm Post subject:

Also, doesn't matter how long he's in there...He'll go MAYBE an hour. He's never in there more than four and a half hours, and I make sure he's eliminated before I leave the house. He's not a baby either. He's 7 months old, but he's a rescue, so I don't know if some cold-hearted person had him as an outside dog or what, but I suspect so given the condition he was in when I saved him