Soon-to-be Weim owner with a couple of questions

Kaiser · Puppy Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 28 Location: Alberta

Hey everyone. Just want to say that this is a great forum, and I'm wishing I had found it earlier!

Right now I'm patiently waiting for my pup to arrive. Mom is due in just over a week, so I've got another 9+ weeks of waiting to do. I've been on this waiting list since Feb, so I'm starting to go a little crazy. I'm certain that I have watched every YouTube video there is with a Weimaraner tag on it. Smile

I just have a few questions for you guys. I'm sorry if this is covered here already; I did do several searches here but didn't find exactly what I'm looking for.

With regards to puppy socialization, I've found some conflicting info on the we, ranging from "keep the pup home until 16 weeks or it will get sick and die" to "take them everywhere as soon as you have them home at 8 weeks". I'm sure there is a middle-ground there somewhere, but I'm just wondering about vaccinations and such. Should I wait until 12 weeks, after his second (and last) round of shots before taking him out in parks, off-leash areas, etc? I think that 8-12 week period would be pretty important and it would be great to take him everywhere, but I just don't know how careful I need to be here.

Another question is in regards to the rabies shot. I know it's best to put this off to 6 months if I can, but wouldn't a puppy class require this shot before you can go into it? Or do they only require vaccinations? Would the first 5-way vaccine set at 8 weeks be enough to get him into a puppy class?

Again, this site is so amazing. I've spent the last 2 hours just going through the photo section of the forums. Good thing I found this place before the pup arrives, or it would be the cause of some major SA! "Daddy, get off the computer and run with me!" Laughing

Can't wait to be able to post my own photos here.

waitingonmyweim · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:04 pm Post subject:

With regards to socialization, I think you need to balance your own feelings on the subject, the opinion of your breeder and also your vet.

Some owners on this board have been VERY careful with their pups, not taking them out really before the 3nd set of vaccs. Personally, the advice I received from my vet is that socialization is so key and so important that it's worth taking some small risks.

Once Lincoln got his 2nd set of shots, he's been EVERYWHERE! He'll get his 3rd set next week.

Also, puppy classes shouldn't require rabies. I'm going to Petsmart and they just wanted 2nd set of vaccs done.

peppernaei · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject:

I'm a believer in socialize, socialize, socialize. I know some people on here would cringe but Marvin went everywhere with us. We were smart about it.

My vet gives out articles discussing the importance of socialization that suggest that large dog are at significantly high risk of being put down because of behavioral problems due to poor socialization as puppies than puppies are at risk for contracting puppy diseases if you socialize you puppy in clean areas where you know the dogs/people are healthy. We got a free toy for having completed their socialization challenge. From 8-12 weeks we kept a list of all the people our puppy met, asked him to do something (sit or walk on the leash) and who fed him a treat (which the vet gave us a bag of for free). It also had a notes section for: wears glasses, hats, beard, etc.

Our breeder had us out at the field site with our puppies to swim together at 10 weeks.

Our school required that puppies had their 2nd booster by the second week of class and they were particular of sanitizing the room prior to the puppy class. As our dogs got older (we continued with multiple classes) they did request proof of rabies and did hound me when I got over the legal time so I finally did it at about 4-5 months (I'd have to look it up).
Also, many people reduce vaccination and only give the first two vaccinations and titer for the third.

Allyson · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:46 am Post subject:

We started taking Hannah with us from the start, and avoided places where she was going to be exposed to other dogs until after her second set of shots and her kennel cough vaccine. She would ride around in the buggy at Petsmart until all of the vaccines were in place.

She really gets her knickers in a twist now if she doesn't get to go somewhere with us and will just sulk under Dad's desk until we get home.

We really try to balance the trips out so that we don't have a huge SA problem. So far so good...I think! Rolling Eyes

versatilek9s · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:50 am Post subject:

I agree...socialize, socialize, socialize!

But be smart about it. I would avoid places like petsmart and the dog park, but that's it. We always run in fields, go to stores that allow dogs (Lowe's for one), take them to picnics, let them play with older dogs that are healthy, etc. They swim, they romp, they go everywhere with us.

You can never get those weeks back where the socialization really counts. And the chances of your pup actually catching something is slim to none.

Play!

meredith

Danzowweims · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:17 am Post subject: Socialize!

I can't stress to you how important it is to socialize your new puppy. If you are hesitant to take them to a strange place until his last set of injections then you don't need to. You can take them to a friends house, or have your friends come to your house. It's not where you socialize them that is so important it's just the simple act of doing it. Get them exposed to other animals, kids, adults, and the elderly. Be sure though that your guests are aware of your training rules and techniques. Such as no jumping, and explain to them how you are training your pup to not do these bad habits as to prevent mixed messages.
As far as the rabies goes with puppy classes you would have to check into the policies of the place you are taking classes at to see if it is a requirement or not. If they do require it, talk it over with your veterinarian. They will be able to give you the best advice and the pros and cons of giving/not giving it at that point. I can't personally tell you either way as rabies requirements do change from area to area.

Good luck with your new pup!

Kaiser · Puppy Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 28 Location: Alberta

Thanks for the advice, guys. I will try to take him out as often as possible, but will stay out of the off leash areas until the second of shots have taken.

One good thing I have going for him is that I can take him to work with me a lot of the time. It's nothing too hectic; an office where I might have have 3 customers in one day, 10 the next, spread out over an 8 hour day. No crowds or anything. He'll get to see lots of people at random intervals. Our last dog, a rescued Rottie named Sarah, came to work with me like this for a few years and loved it. She passed away from cancer 6 years ago this month at the age of 4.

Decided it was finally time for another dog in the family. Thanks again for the tips everyone.

Danzowweims · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject:

We took our two weims to the Minnesota renaissance festival and so many people were afraid of them. Apparently weims have a reputation to be agressive toward strangers. One of the guys working there said he has one also, and would never take him out in public. I was completely astonished in learning this "misconseption" because our dogs couldn't be more happy to have strangers around!! It's one more person that can attempt to poop them out. I guess it's just a perfect example of how important it is to get your pup (of ANY breed) socialized.
It's good that you work in a place that allows you to do that. Then he will get plenty of socialization with you right there to monitor. That's great!

Borismom · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:29 pm Post subject: doesn't hurt to wait

Hi all;

I was a super overprotective mom; it was just Boris, the cat, and ourselves. Until I personally knew how to handle dog interactions, I wasn't going to "socialize". At 8 months, I finally took him to a basic training course, but the only other dog was a tiny terrier of some sort, and Boris was way too big to play with him.

At 9 months, I let a real trainer take Boris for a month and take him through off-leash behavior. Boris was finally allowed to play with day care dogs on a daily basis, and the trainer said he was just fine with the first encounter, and was playing excellently after that.

In fact, I had to return Boris to one day's day care 2 days ago, and he was happier than a lark! He recognized the place and just was so excited!!! He was also more tired than I've ever seen him that evening!!

So, my point is, now that I have experience, I probably would expose a pup to a dog park much earlier, but only after he's had all his beginning puppy shots, including rabies. But it really didn't hurt Boris to wait a super long time (9 months)

AmyB · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 12:07 am Post subject:

With my new pup I am being very cautious of where I take her because I have chosen not to start her vaccinations until she is 16 weeks old. Also even when you have started your puppy on vaccinations it does not mean they are protected.

Read this page to understand how vaccination and immunity works...
http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/Current%20Knowledge%20of%20Immunology%20101.htm

I've seen alot of Parvo cases where many of the puppies didn't survive when I worked at the animal hospital. I do believe that socialization is very important so we take Roxy with us alot when we go to the store and when we visit family. I've only let her play with friends and families dogs that I know and know where they've been and their vaccination history. I avoid stores like Petco and Petsmart and parks where strange dogs are. I also don't allow her in the street where people walk their dogs.

Imaweimlover · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:35 pm Post subject:

My vet did not recommend taking Georgia to the dog park (off leash environment) until all her vaccinations were complete at 12 weeks. He was even concerned about her going for walks in the neighborhood before the final vacs. I did enroll her in puppy classes at 10 weeks which was the youngest they would take her and with her up-to-date shots. Georgia was very shy when we went to the dog park at first. At first we took her about once a week. Sometimes she would play, play, play with the other dogs and other times she would stand by my side the entire visit. I think it really depended on the doggy dynamics at each visit. Now we take her to the park just about every evening right after work and she LOVES it. She whines that we can't get her out of the car fast enough to get to her doggy friends. She generally sees the same dogs at the park and knows them now. And she also loves the humans.
Welcome to the forum. Hope you get as much out of it as I have.

CheechakoWeim · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:03 am Post subject:

Any puppy news yet? Have you heard anything?

Kaiser · Puppy Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 28 Location: Alberta

Today was supposed to be the day. Haven't heard anything yet, but I imagine if it was today they're a bit busy right now. Smile

So I'm just sitting here waiting impatiently, but not wanting to start bugging them just yet. The wait is killing me!

AmyB · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject:

HA! You're a better person than me! I'd be calling and emailing like a crazy lady.

Please let us know as soon as you hear something!! Very Happy

jayjanell · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject:

My vet told me not to take my weims anywhere until they've had their last set of shots. So my weims weren't socialized until four or five months old.