Category Archives: Puppy Information
Gemma
~All is Well
She loves her stuffed birds
We are all doing great since our little girl came home to us! We are calling her “Gemma”. We just love her; and she and Susse get along great. No accidents in the house at all.
She loves to play inside the house and outside. She is a fast learner – knows her name and the command “Here” already. Oh, and she loves to chew!
Breeder Comment
Thank you for your concerted effort to get Gemma off to an excellent start. Of course, you are an experienced Weimar family. She is in good hands. We hope to receive news of her and Susse’s antics as they become co-conspirators of the best kind.
Don’t Let It Happen To You
AKC Reunite Reports that One in three pets will go missing in its lifetime — and it can happen in an instant.
We admit those numbers seem high to us. Most OwyheeStar puppy folks never lose track of their Weimaraner. That is not to say it doesn’t happen. All our OwyheeStar pups leave with the AKC Reunite Microchip–but each family must register their chip. Beyond the microchip, you should consider other identification–such as a tag securely attached to their collar or harness.
Should you include your dog’s name on their collar? Including your pet’s name on their collar is a common practice, but is it a good idea? Cliff suggests it is better to exclude the pet’s name. Instead, provide your name, location, and a couple of phone numbers where you can be reached..
Providing your pup’s name on the collar can make it easier for someone else to appear to be the owner–because they are calling them by their name. Anyhow, it is food for thought.
While the microchip registered to you ensures you are listed as the owner, veterinarians, and other pet professionals do not scan every dog they encounter. Suspicious behavior might alert them to the need, but possibly they are pressed for time and feeling they are overreacting–even a new dog client may not be scanned. And keep in mind that merely recording an ID in their folder is not going to alert anyone. You see where we are going with this–two things. 1. Be sure to register your microchip. 2. Be sure to have identification on your pet’s collar. No one wants to become a statistic.
Should you happen to get separated, with your pet’s microchip registered through AKC Reunite, getting back together is more likely.
Meet Ashe
~ We Love Her
I wanted to give you an update on Ashe.
She adjusted very quickly to the car, Chauntel (my girlfriend) drove so I could be in the back with her on our almost 5 hour journey home.
Once we got home we had the first meet and greet with our Australian Sheppard ‘Chase’
I asked for personality and boy did we get that, she has no fear, except the loud bark on occasion!
Her favorite hobbies are naps, exploring (under very close supervision) and causing a little terror between those naps.
Thank you so much for everything you and Cliff have done and continue to do. We love the new addition to our family very much even when she’s a complete handful!
Breeder Comment
When you met Ashe, will be a moment in time I will not forget. The way she took to –and all that happened in those first few moments. Wow! It was precious. As you know–she has been a little stressed with her littermates departing pretty much all at once nearly an hour earlier. (Haha) All was forgiven–you were there. How precious.
Thanks ever so much for this lovely update. I know we all appreciate hearing the news.
Meanwhile
~In Idaho
Thought you might like a 12week (almost 13) update on our out Henry!
He’s amazing. He loves to play fetch and so good at the return. He is learning and listening so well. Still mastering the potty training, but great as long as we are paying attention! He’s such a funny pup and so smart! He is able to play hide and seek with toys and people. He’s catching on so we’ll to words we use. He is obedient to sit, stay, lay down, come and ‘outside’ (our word for potty!) He has even mastered wiping his feet when he comes back in, on the rug…. For a treat of course! He has grown SO much and going to need a bigger bed soon!
Sorry some of the pics are blurry! He’s not still for long! ~Jill and Clint
Breeder Comment
Hello There–we are so happy to hear from you. Just look at what is happening, you are doing great things. We cannot be happier to hear the news and to these photos. Thanks ever so much!
Every Breath You Take
~ Sounds Like
I often wonder how we do it. You know–raise a puppy. We bring the little bundle home and hover over them. It is essential to do the hovering thing–otherwise, how can you accomplish the housebreaking, etc.? But this obsession with our new fur baby runs deep–some of this never goes away.
Their every sound–a rattling, a snore, a hacking sound is cause for alarm. We watch breath-abated wondering if we need to run to the Vet. Ah–it is hard to know sometimes. We always suggest you wait and watch a bit–possibly take their temperature. Remember that a pet’s temperature is much higher than ours–typically around 101 degrees. Anything above 104 degrees is emergent. Of course, if you were monitoring their temperature and it was 102 degrees and then within an hour 103 degrees, there might be cause for alarm. Always err on the side of caution–but rushing to the Vet for everything is probably not necessary. In fact, your alarm will be internalized by the puppy increasing the stress-factor. Try to stay calm.
A lot–and I do mean a lot, of our concerns, are for nothing. Puppies can cough, they snort, the sneeze, they can reverse sneeze (something we recently learned), they choke, and create a myriad of noises. Many of which are concerning. Most of which are in the end nothing at all. Thank goodness.
Keep your eye on them. A pup can ingest something in quick order–so despite saying not to overreact, there is vigilance. Recently, Henri went under my recliner and came out with a packet –that must have been attached underneath the chair. We didn’t realize it was there, but Henri found two–probably toxic packets. Oh my gosh–it is good we heard the crackling sound and asked what she had. We retrieved each package and tossed them in the trash. Thankfully they were not broken open.
That Puppy Look
One Too Many Flashes
~Are We Done Yet?
The wiggles, the squiggles, and let’s not forget the squint. Yes, the puppies find the camera too demanding. They try to escape. We squeak a toy, clap our hands, and try to get them to look at the camera. Sometimes we get the look–oh the process is so exhausting.
To Wait, Or Not
Nancy Shares Her Thoughts
~Spaying and Neutering
To wait or not to wait, that is the question! The current thoughts dictate that it is best to wait until your dog is a year or older to spay. Well, we all want what is the absolute best for our fur babies. They say wait, ok I’m going to wait which means going through at least one heat cycle. Let me tell you going through a heat cycle is not an easy thing, not for the owner or the dog! If you don’t have the time to monitor your pup 24/7 for at least two plus weeks then you should spay before a heat cycle begins. We have let both of our girls go through a heat cycle before spaying. I don’t remember much about Luna’s cycle, but Tikka’s is fresh In My mind!Once she started bleeding it was two and a half weeks of dripping, two and a half weeks of not being able to go potty by herself (we have fenced property, but when it comes to breeding nature finds a way!) , two and a half weeks of being kenneled when we leave the house, two and a half weeks of not getting to go out due to her “condition”. My girls hated the bulky diaper things you can buy for dogs in heat so for Tikka … Victoria Secret panties (modified a bit!) with a panty liner seemed to be the most comfortable 😊When she finally stopped bleeding I realized that it wasn’t just miserable for me, she seemed genuinely happy to be done with that too, she didn’t understand the changed handling or the change in the way she felt, it was difficult for all of us.I would say if you don’t have the time or patience to monitor your pup 24/7 to prevent an unwanted pregnancy then it might be best to spay before the first heat cycle.
Breeder Comment
This topic is often heated–even Veterinarians may disagree on when it is ideal to alter your pet. It is not a topic we want to discuss–especially when it comes to the female. We (Cliff and I) feel the ideal time to alter your Weimaraner might vary from person to person. The hormones do play an essential role in the growth process. Proponents talk about waiting through the first heat-cycle–when that might happen can vary. We like to suggest you hold off a bit–altering around 8 months and sometimes waiting until they are about a year old. The growth plates close sometime between 12-15 months. A male can produce a litter around eight months. Some females show little evidence of being in heat, while others bleed profusely–it can be quite the challenge. Possibly, thinking about as timing rather than the heat cycle would help some of you.
Honestly, many are better off altering their Weimaraner around eight months for the reasons Nancy mentions. We won’t repeat what she has already said. The idea is to alter them around six months. We suggest you consider all the facts and then discuss your options with your Veterinarian of choice. Thank you, Nancy, for sharing your thoughts as well as the experience.
Say What?!?
Our Boy, Duke
~Who Did That?!?
**This turd turned 1 yesterday! We love him so much, but there is this!
He also loves chewing on ginormous logs, rocks, the siding of our house, our deck and our walls. Oh and every. single. dog bed. 🤷🤦 In the life of a Weim! ❤️**As I knew it would be, it’s been difficult to train him with us and the kids not being consistent with commands, expectations etc. But, he has really changed (better) the last couple months.
At The End of the Day
~This How It Looks
Breeder Comment
We love these folks–they are dedicated Weimlovers. Nevertheless, we would prefer everyone to avoid this kind of behavioral issue. I am so very glad they shared it though. And, they were kind enough to allow me to make a post that might help someone else avoid having this kind of situation.
I can only guess what lead to this–but the best way to avoid having this type of situation is to follow through with constant supervision at the early stages. If you are not watching them, all kinds of bad things can and do happen. Duke is not the first, nor will he be the last Weim to much on the sheetrock. The exterior siding, flower pots, carpeting, dog beds, wood posts, and just about anything they can get their lips on is a target.
The trick to avoiding it is not to let the behavior start. The crate-training is essential. It only takes a moment for the Weimaraner to get into trouble. My mantra is freedom is earned. Just remember that habits (good and bad) are quickly ingrained, and then nearly impossible to change in the concrete-thinking Weimaraner.
Also, you have to consider the separation anxiety factor. People often spend 24 X 7 with their Weimaraner puppy and think they are doing a fabulous thing. Then, they leave for an hour to run to the grocery and come home to something like this or worse. It is the same for the yard–you cannot just leave a Weimaraner home in the yard–that is unless they have become adapted to that situation. So, that brings me to the point, even once they have earned a measure of freedom, it is essential that they also learn to be somewhat flexible. It is a lot better when they learn how to adapt to schedule changes–or being left behind when necessary.
Finally, can I mentioned that Dusty, back in the day, ate a $2,000 rock. Another time it was an $ 800 rock. One required major surgery, the other not. Rocks are hard on the teeth, and if ingested, they pose a life-threatening issue. Yes, the Weimaraner is not for the weak of heart. Even people who have the best intentions can get into trouble.
Luna
Joined her family
~ a few days ago
Thank you guys for the followup emails as we get going with the new pup.
This is all great. I got her chip registered this AM and she’s on the DN puppy food you recommend — the online Chewy.com shipping option looks nice for future reference. So thank you.
We also have a Vet appt next week and we’re so thankful for the clearly outlined vaccination protocol you recommend. We’ll work with the vet to get this completed without the unnecessary workups.She’s been a blast so far and kennel training has been a breeze. What a joy to have around!Thank again and we’ll be in touch. -Michael and Michelle
Breeder Comment
At Six Months
Updating You
~Loki’s Adventures
Now that spring seems to finally be here Loki and I are having all sorts of adventures. For the last month or so I’ve been working on introducing Loki to water. First, it was getting his toes wet, then the ankles, and so on. I’ve attached a video from this evening— we headed out to the lake after work. Needless to say, we’ve come a little ways from not getting our paws wet. You may notice the cord on the bumper— sometimes Loki needs to remember that the game is retrieving, not keep away, but the water work has seemed to really help this. Also great insurance in case he doesn’t go for it, so I don’t have to swim.
Other adventures include hide-and-go-seek at lunchtime on a trail system near my office. It’s a great game for anyone to play to help their pup remember to check in on hikes, but with Loki, in particular, we want to develop the idea that he can use his nose to find people. When we’re out on the trail, I wait until he gets just a little too far ahead of me, and I hide in the bushes next to the trail where I can still see him. He is quick to notice that I’m no longer in sight, so he runs back down the trail. He usually goes past me until he hits my scent (in the air), and then he usually works the scent cone back towards me. When he finds me, we enthusiastically play with his favorite toy.
Another new thing is teaching Loki to pull me on my longboard. I keep it short and easy so as to not stress his joints, but it’s a great way to practice verbal directive commands. And to take the edge off the wiggles!Loki is also turning into quite a camping dog. Last week was his first tent camping adventure in Glacier National Park over Memorial Day weekend.The two pictures I’m sharing here show our work on the down-stay (he’s not tied in either). You can see the drool starting to come with the cheese! That’s what happens to those who attempt to counter surf. He got no cheese.
As always, we constantly incorporate sit-down-stay-heel-come into our daily routine. The heel is finally taking hold— at least 50% loose-leash on a flat collar, and his off-leash heel is almost better. The red harness he’s wearing in the picture is his working harness and includes a handle to help keep him safe on the chairlift. We are working on associating it with good listening and lots of fun search games.
Anyway, I can’t believe he’s 6 months old already! It has gone so fast. ~ Erica
Owyheestar Weimaraner's News 