Remington "Remi" of Camino, California Enjoying the Good Life!
There is little more disconcerting than a Weim that is oppositional, stubborn, and resistive. For this reason, it is important to get your puppy at the right time and begin working with them in a positive manner.
We talk a lot about the Weimaraner being a ‘concrete-thinking’ creature of habit. For early training this can become a tool you use to your advantage. Soon, however, you will want to adjust your routine and stretch their protocol a bit. If you do not change-up your routine, their way of doing things, etc. it will become so deeply ingrained in their being that when something changes they can act-out. They act-out due to their frustration or perception of being slighted by the apple-of-their-eye. It is not a joke when we say that your Weimaraner actually cannot deal with certain changes.
One of the best examples is separation anxiety. If your pup doesn’t learn to stay alone early, then they will most likely develop severe separation anxiety. The Weimaraner is prone to separation anxiety but many people find their Weimaraner is able to stay alone and do well. This is a learned behavior. Trust is earned in tiny steps, but be aware that at any point in time your Weim could become stressed and act-out if something seems out of kilter to them.
Our Email has been graced by many a tale of the good Weim suddenly gone bad. The trusted Weim ate Mom’s designer shoes, the arm on the couch, or destroyed the carpet. This was after months or years of no incidents. Usually if you look into the situation you can find a trigger. Most often the trigger is a change in routine. Mom fails to come home and go to the dog park one night after doing that for months. The shoes are eaten out of frustration.
These are not a personal affront towards you; but rather are a way of dealing with their anxiety. Humans sometimes scream, cry, throw things, shop, complain, or whatever but most Weims act in a destructive or disconcerting way. They might chew on something–your shoes, underwear, Sheet rock, the sofa, or whatever. They might dig and dig and uproot a medium-size tree, unearth your favorite bush, excavate under the sidewalk. They might bark and bark in hope you will hear and rescue them. Therefore, to help limit or avoid these situations we recommend the following:
- Crate train from the beginning–even if it is difficult!
- Teach them to stay alone in the crate for short periods of time from the beginning!
- Change your schedule. Change their schedule. Arrive home at a different time. Feed a little early or a little late. Put them to bed a little early or a little late. You get the idea.
- Move things a bit. Move their crate to the opposite side of the room or a few feet away from where it is normally located. Move their food dish a little ways.
We know this probably sounds silly but we can tell you that it will stretch their ability to cope with change. This is a good thing. In the early weeks though using the ‘concrete thinking’ to your advantage can really be a benefit. We always say get it right up front. Life will go better all the way around.
One way to use this ‘concrete thinking’ to your advantage is with housebreaking. Don’t let the accidents start in the house. Take them out to the same spot in the yard and they will be running out there to potty before long.
Use the crate next to your foot while you type on the computer. It is not going to damage their personality! When they wake up stop what you are doing and take them out to the yard to their potty area. If you cannot have your eye on them use the crate. Keep it near where you are working and give them a toy, a peanut butter filled Kong, or an all Natural Pig Ear to nibble.
Pictured above is “Remi” who has been this couple’s dream Weim. It was their first but they have excelled with the pup doing all the right little steps. We truly believe she was also more teachable than some Weims because of the work we do to prepare our puppies before they ever leave here. Nevertheless, even the most difficult (and ill-raised) Weimaraner pup will benefit from these tips. All too many end up at rescue because their family doesn’t understand their nature. This is beyond sad for them and the breed as a whole.
Note: People wonder why many Weim breeders are so careful about puppy placement. There is good reason as to why they need to take care with placing puppies. All too many people see a well trained and elegant Weim on the beach, running by on the street, or at the dog park. They become enamored with the idea of having a Weimaraner. Even some who do research on the breed fail to recognize they operate or think different than their beloved Labrador. We humans tend to equate what we know to that which we have no experience or understanding projecting wrong impressions on the Weimaraner.
Getting from the early beginning to where you can just relax and enjoy being together takes commitment, energy, time, and a special knack at getting them to follow your lead. You being the leader is 
important. This is not about being a heavy-handed Alpha-type pack leader but rather about touching their heart, gaining their trust, and earning their respect. This breed is truly not for everyone, however, for those that understand and work with their quirks it can be a rewarding experience. Some of us cannot imagine life without a Weimaraner or two!
Keep in mind that it is our job to do what is best. When you start off with the pup it seems unthinkable to leave them alone, however, they must learn to stay alone. If not, then there will come a time when they must and it will be a disaster. Even if the time never arrives we believe this makes them a better balanced Weim. Our goal is to help them be the best they can be!
