How To Properly Treat Your Weimaraner When Leaving & Upon Entering Your Home

Weimaraners who must face long periods of time alone should be greeted and left calmly. The owner should not make good-byes dramatic or prolonged, pleading with the dog not to chew or bark. When the owner returns, the dog should be greeted simply but affectionately. Over-dramatic hellos and good-byes often keep dogs on edge. After the owner leaves, the dog is still excited from being petted and cuddled, and possibly pleaded with to “be good.” The owner may leave feeling better, but the dog may be on the edge of emotional collapse. Greeting and leaving scenes must not be the high points of the dog-owner relationship.

When it comes to entering your home after being gone, to burst into the house or apartment laden with special treats and then effusively greet the dog may be alleviating some of your own guilt over leaving the animal isolated, but it’s a disservice to the dog. The Weimaraner’s psychological alarm clock tells it when to expect the owner home. The dog gears itself up for the happy moment, the treats, the play session. If, by chance, the owner is late, as is often the case because of subway, bus, or traffic delays, the dog’s anticipation can turn into frustration, and its frustration into destructiveness, whining, or barking.

How To Make Your Weimaraner’s Pen Area A Playful Heaven

If your Weimaraner spends any length of time in a play yard, you might be interested in ideas that will help you to make his stay there a pleasure and not an imprisonment. It is amazing how many dog owners have described their dog’s “play yard” in terms of a gravel enclosure with nothing, absolutely nothing, inside it, except the dog. Boredom and ennui are one of the worst aspects of modern dog life. Chewing, digging, nuisance barking, poor appetites, and stool eating are often in some way connected with boredom. These problems often occur in dogs that have become bored by such uncreative play yard areas.

Try to avoid barrier frustration by screening the dog’s area from busy city street traffic or passersby. If you use cyclone fencing, standard green slats that fit between the chain link are available. Shrubbery can be effectively arranged to block disturbing views that encourage barking and fence running. Within the pen, a ditch or a stone row, or even a row of flowers can often keep the dog away from the fence and in the center of the pen. Gravel is the best all-around footing, but cement and grass may be feasible at times. Cement encourages paw sores and cut pads, so avoid prolonged contact with cement. Grass inevitably wears out, but it is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for the dog. A grass pen with gravel along the sides of the fencing to be the best. The gravel will prevent the grass from being totally destroyed.

Every day introduce a different item into the pen, especially if you leave your dog alone on a daily basis. Favorite toys should always be included, but rotate others to spice up the routine. Rotate water and food in different locations in the pen. When you prune your trees, throw the limbs into the pen for the dog to play with. A large cardboard box enthralls any dog. Sure, the box gets ripped up, and the tree limbs get shredded, and you have to clean up. But it’s worth it in the long run. Fresh fruit and vegetables can be used as vitamin-packed toys. Toss a few into the pen every so often. Bones, if offered, should be large marrow bones. A dog left alone with a small bone all day can reduce it to such size as to risk lodging it in its mouth or throat. Make sure bones are large and solid, but not cooked.

The Weimaraner house does not need to be elaborate but it should provide protection from the elements. In summer, repaint dark-colored houses white to reflect sunlight and heat. The dog should have some options for shade in addition to the house. Trees are best, or a planter of bushes, pruned of their lower branches and with trunks wrapped in tree-tape to prevent the dog from destroying or scratching them.

Finally, do not ignore the possibility of providing your dog with the ultimate diversion and plaything: another dog. Owners with chronic diggers, chewers, barkers, squealers, and house-wreckers have often found that the introduction of a second compatible pet reduces this behavior. You will have to be sure that the new animal gets off to a right start and does not mimic the bad behavior of the first pet. For Weimaraners who must stay long periods in play yards, a companion can change frustration and boredom to pleasure and play.

How To Keep Your Weimaraner Off Of Beds, Chairs, & Couches

When Your Weimaraner Jumps On The Bed: Because of their pack origins, dogs are very social animals and love to be with their people. Most dogs need little if any encouragement to jump up to be near them. With a highly social, friendly dog the solution to too much togetherness is to shock the animal out of the undesirable behavior.

Have a full water pistol or spray bottle handy, and the minute the dog starts to jump up, squirt it in the mouth or face and say “NO!” When it settles back down on the floor, you can pet and praise the dog, but in case it thinks this is encouragement to jump up again, keep the water pistol handy to spray immediately if the animal makes a move. Another way to shock a dog is to have a large cooking pot and spoon handy. The minute it starts to jump, bang the pot with the spoon and say “NO.” The dog will soon realize this is not a positive experience.

Alternatively, if you don’t care about your Weimaraner having the run of the house but still want it in your bedroom at night, leash the dog and hold the end of the dog’s leash. As soon as it begins to jump, correct it with a snap and say “NO.”

A long-term solution is to train your dog to Go to Your Place. Then it will stay quietly all night in its own bed or place.

When Your Weimaraner Jumps On Chairs & Couches: dogs and their ancestors the wolves always like to create a nest for themselves. A dog naturally finds a couch or chair more comfortable than the floor for its nest. In addition, the scent its owners leave on the furniture makes it an even more appealing nesting place for a dog. The best way to break a dog of this habit is to make the act uncomfortable in some way so it becomes pleasanter for the dog to sleep on the floor.

You can use a Setup. Put a bunch of balloons on the couch. Then, with the dog on a leash, walk over to the couch, point at it, and say “NO.” When you’re right next to the couch, pick up a balloon and pop it right in the dog’s face. Then walk a short distance away with the dog still on leash. Remove the leash and go into another room. If the dog wasn’t sufficiently startled by the popped balloon and is still brave enough to jump on the couch, the remaining balloons will pop and frighten it into getting right down.

With a very strong-willed, powerful dog such as an Weimaraner, a popping balloon may not be deterrent enough. You may need to use a stronger Setup. Place a number of set mousetraps on the furniture with a light sheet on top (the sheet will protect the dog from being hurt by the traps). If the dog jumps up, the traps will snap and startle the animal enough to make it give up the couch as a bed.

Barking: A Weimaraner Watchdog’s Most Important Weapon

A Weimaraner watchdog’s function is to sound the alarm. A dog’s bark carries quite well and makes the perfect warning signal. Indeed, barking’s original function was to rally the pack to respond to a problem or a possible intruder, and it comes naturally to most dogs regardless of size - if you want a watchdog, you want any alert dog that will bark, not one that is lethargic and placid.

Scottish author and poet Sir Walter Scott once received some advice on the matter of watchdogs from a very credible source. Scott began his career as a lawyer working in his father’s law office. His debut at the bar involved the successful defense of a burglar. The burglar, who was in fact guilty of both the crime for which he was charged and several others as well, shared with Scott the following bit of wisdom: “Always keep a small dog that barks, rather than a large dog, which you think may serve as a more formidable guard, but may spend most of its time sleeping. Size doesn’t matter, just the sound.” Scott took his advice and always kept terriers, which are vigilant little dogs, always ready to give voice at any sound or at anyone’s approach.

The first conscious use of Weimaraner dogs for their behavioral characteristics was most likely as watchdogs and guard dogs. For prehistoric people, the world was quite a hostile place. Various animals stalked humans as prey, and campsites were easy targets. A stealthy predator, especially one that attacked at night when the camp slept, could be quite dangerous.

Equally dangerous were attacks from other bands of humans, either because of intertribal warfare or to capture food, goods, women, or children. But the dogs hanging around the campsites on the lookout for food scraps quite naturally caused a commotion whenever a predator or band of strange humans approached. Aside from alerting the residents of the camp in time for them to respond, the dogs‘ warning could even cause approaching threats to seek less wary prey elsewhere. As it became obvious that they made the camps safer, dogs came to serve not only as scavengers but as guardians as well.

It is highly likely that the first specific behavioral characteristic that humans selected in dogs was the tendency to bark. The first domestication of dogs probably involved the adoption of wolf or jackal cubs, and those that proved themselves to be good watchdogs by barking at any disturbance were more likely to be kept and bred by their owners. Those that did not serve this function as well could still be served as dinner.

As Pet Owners, We Tend To Forget That Weimaraner’s Are Nature’s Animals

Several thousand years ago dogs were initially domesticated for their functional value; hunting helpers, village and stock guards, even body-warmers in bitter cold climates. These basic functions are no longer required by modem civilization and, the dog’s capacity to cooperate within a group for the mutual benefit of its members is stifled - frustrated. Without some meaningful functional nurturing, dogs grow older, mature physically, but behave like puppies emotionally - seeking attention and care, totally frustrated, denied any competent guidance toward filling an acceptable role in the family.

On the human side of the equation, as we become increasingly dependent on verbal skills and electronic communications, a pet animal is sometimes our only meaningful daily contact with the animate, natural world. However, without an opportunity to develop nonverbal communications with animals, dog owners tend to use human verbal and physical abilities (vocal commands, scolding, manipulation, force, punishment) to communicate with their pets. Most people mistakenly think dogs must simply be “trained” if they are to learn how to behave properly. When training fails, both owner and dog become frustrated, and problems develop. While formal (deliberate) training is an important element in a satisfying relationship, informal training is at the root of most problem behavior.

Weimaraners learn from, and react to, the way people behave. Movement, stance and sound communicate with dogs. On the other hand, as dogs struggle to communicate with people through their own movements, postures and sounds, they are too often misinterpreted; or ignored. This only widens the frustrating communications gap for both parties.

It may seem far-fetched to propose that behavior consultants should help dog owners learn how to interpret their pet’s behavior, then use movement, stance and special sounds, in order to communicate effectively, and hence, live together harmoniously. However, it is not unrealistic at all. Once the basics of effective human/canine communications are learned and applied, they play a crucial role in correcting behavior problems humanely and effectively.

It doesn’t occur to most Weimaraner owners that shouting at a barking dog is, in fact, joining in the racket - responding with the human version of the same behavior. When their dogs do become silent, it is because they associate the owner’s tone of voice with disapproval and/or fear of impending pain from punishment. Excitable types, or those with some prior traumatic experience, usually become worse.

In the non-verbal world of dogs, silence means quiet, inaction begets stillness, and movement stimulates action. The fact that this patently obvious facet of non-verbal communication must be written or talked about to gain attention among dog owners further points up the extreme verbal orientation of humans. Spoken language is just noise to Weimaraners. It is a tribute to their adaptability that they actually learn the meaning of certain key sounds, which usually comes about through a combination of the dog’s intelligence and the owner’s almost accidental consistency when referring to certain events or objects.

Artificial Insemination For Breeding Weimaraners

Psychological and genetic studies, and other scientific advances, have made this age a most exciting one for the better-bred Weimaraner. Among these advances is artificial insemination, a practice now more than ever common to small animal husbandry. Following years of research, trials and errors, discoveries have been made that allow sperm collections to remain viable through a prolonged time period. As a result, breeding to a “superstud,” inaccessible before through “geographical undesirability,” has now become feasible.

“Artificial insemination” is the introduction of sperm into a female’s genital tract by instruments. The procedure involves sperm collection and evaluation of volume, quality and motility. When the female is not present for a direct breeding, the semen is separated by portion, then placed in “straws” for storage and transport.

Use of artificial insemination prevents spread of diseases by eliminating direct contact of the animals. This method overcomes incompatibility by personality or size in the mating pair, and it overcomes geographical difficulties. Superdogs can build up semen banks for worldwide use or use for after the dog is no longer capable of producing viable sperm or no longer alive.

Artificial insemination can produce pregnancy failure. When performed properly, however, artificial insemination reportedly achieves a pregnancy rate near that of natural breeding. While fresh extended or frozen semen offers breeders a greater geographical selection of possible studs, use of these methods does have certain drawbacks. Not all veterinarians have the training and facilities to properly prepare either fresh-cooled or frozen semen for insemination. The processes of cooling or freezing semen can weaken and kill sperm. Because of possible reduction in viable sperm, adequate facilities and preparation become paramount. There is now an expanding network of veterinarians who have been successfully trained in these methods.

There are a number of reasons why and when use of artificial insemination may be the best or only recourse to obtain a litter. There are females who, although in full estrus, may not give off the correct pheromones (scent) stimulating the male, enticing him to breed at the right time. She could have a physical abnormality such as a vaginal stricture or underdeveloped (juvenile) vagina preventing a natural coitus.

He may be an inexperienced or overeager male and ejaculate prematurely. A curved penis causing “aiming” difficulties can prevent dogs from achieving a natural union. Physical abnormalities may prevent a tie, and in certain cases be the cause of a prolonged one. Or, for a variety of reasons including medical, the stud may not be desirous of Weimaraner breeding.

For some, use of frozen or cooled semen remains controversial. Insemination by these means is nevertheless growing as a viable alternative method. While not necessarily less costly for the breeding of small or medium-sized dogs, the cost may be less than shipping a female, especially those of large and giant breeds. Breeding artificially becomes economically practical and feasible when faced by certain complicating factors such as shipment of a nervous female, perhaps one never before away from home, or inclement weather, being either too hot or too cold for safe shipment.

Are Your Weimaraner’s Gums Are Turning Very Pale In Color? It Could Be Serious…

Dermatologists place a high value on paleness because the less sun you get, the lower your risk for skin cancer. Veterinarians, however, have always preferred the color pink - at least when they are looking at your pet’s gums. When the gums change from bubble-gum pink to pale, oxygen is probably in short supply, and there is an internal problem that needs to be taken care of.

Pale gums usually mean that a Weimaraner doesn’t have enough red blood cells, a condition called anemia. Anemia is serious because red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. When there aren’t enough of them, oxygen levels fall, and pets get weak and tired. Parasites are one of the most common causes of anemia. dogs and cats produce just enough red blood cells to stay healthy. When fleas, hookworms, or other blood-sucking parasites are drinking their fill, there may not be enough blood to go around. Pale gums may be a sign of internal bleeding, resulting from ulcers or even cancer. Internal bleeding that goes on long enough can also cause anemia.

The light-colored gums can also be caused by a serious condition called autoimmune hemolytic anemia, in which the immune system mistakenly destroys red blood cells. This type of anemia may be hereditary, with cocker spaniels, Shetland sheepdogs, collies, English springer spaniels, Old English sheepdogs, Irish setters, and poodles having the highest risk.

Finally, anemia may be a side effect of medications. Drugs such as estrogen, chloramphenicol (an antibiotic), and phenylbutazone (taken for pain) may inhibit the blood marrow from producing red blood cells. Weimaraners that are taking aspirin for pain will sometimes develop ulcers and internal bleeding.

Pale gums don’t always mean that your pet has anemia. After a serious accident, for example, blood pressure can fall to dangerously low levels because the heart is so busy pumping blood to vital organs that it neglects more-distant regions like the gums, toes, or the tips of the ears. This drop in blood pressure and the resulting pale gums mean that a pet is going into shock and needs emergency care.

Giving Weimaraners a balanced diet will help them recover from many forms of anemia. Your vet may recommend putting your pet on a prescription diet that is high in minerals, protein, and vitamins. Don’t give pets iron supplements without your veterinarian’s advice because they can be toxic.

Even though anemia can be dangerous, it is usually not that difficult to restore the red blood cells to healthful levels. Pets that are plagued by fleas, for example, will often recover within three to four days once you get rid of the little pests. Since anemia can make pets very weak, however, it is a good idea to avoid flea dips, powders, or other strong medications.