Blog Archives
Shopping
~ AKA Counter surfing
Although I do not recommend tempting a dog, most of the Weimaraners I have owned have been shoppers also known as counter surfers. Porsche was no exception until we got “The Sonic Egg”.
The egg is motion activated and blows a puff of air, which in Porsche’s case went into her face and startled her. If someone is looking for it, it was made to deter cats. A savvy clerk at PetSmart thought it might do the trick for us, and it did.
Click here to see the product JuneAnn is recommending.
Breeder Comment
It is interesting that it deters Porsche. I am not sure it would work for every Weimaraner, but apparently, it does at JuneAnn’s home. I do read that folks are having a lot of problems with the unit. I hope they keep making them. I can see that they could be handy in several situations. Thank you, JuneAnn, for sharing this novel idea.
Pie Anyone?
Maybe you noticed Nancy’s post regarding Luna and Tikka’s clever pie snatching –or maybe I should say sampling trick. It is too good to not borrow, so I asked Nancy for her permission. (Haha) It seemed like a good Sunday post.
Nancy writes, “When I got back in my truck and checked the pie (that I had hidden under the blanket) “Oh good, the lid’s still on!” “Good girls!” … Upon closer examination, I realize that they weren’t good girls, just clever girls for somehow getting the lid back in place!”
What To Do?
“Here’s what you do with pumpkin pie that the Weims have sampled.”
Breeder Comment
Well, Nancy, this is perfect example of so many things Weimar related.
- How the Weimaraner can find a way, to get their way.
- How on the surface things look okay until you find it is not.
- How the experienced Weim-person figures a way to make something positive out of what is left. (Haha)
I seriously expect that Tikka and Luna had the pie leftovers. So things worked out for them. I think it is amazing they didn’t eat the whole pie.
Turkey Talk
Thanksgiving
~What We Don’t Want
The emergency Vet Vist probably tops our list. It is the quickest way to spoil our celebration. Nonetheless, is there a time when our attention is more divided? The snatch and grab Weimaraner could abscond with some spectacular finds. They are everywhere–the counter, the dining table, the plates, and possibly on the floor. One thing you might overlook–the rising bread dough or rolls. Bread Dough Toxicosis can prove life-threatening. Maybe a toddler is waving a turkey leg. Is that an invite? The opportunist Weimaraner will make the most of this food-driven holiday gathering.
The humans at your table–they are a significant threat to the Weimaraner. Who doesn’t want to sneak the pup a treat? But too many sneaks and the gut can become overloaded even with acceptable food. The sensitive Weim might have a bout of pancreatitis from too much fatty food. Then there are the cooked poultry bones–be sure if you throw them out it is where the Weimaraner cannot steal them.
You Might Consider
What if you made a plate for the Weimaraner that everyone could help share? This plating idea might work. Here are some excellent choices.
- Turkey — no bones
- Green beans (plain)
- Squash or Pumpkin (plain)
- Apple slices (without the seeds)
Avoid These
~ to mention a few
- Mashed Potatoes
- Stuffing
- Gravy
- Corn on the Cob
- Nuts (pecans and Macadamia)
- Grapes and Raisins
You can bake a Weim cookie or a Weim pie that forgoes the seasonings. Eggs and pumpkin and a tiny bit of milk will bake up nicely. You could make the crust using treats. Possibly make them in a silicone cupcake pan or cupcake papers. We are not saying it cannot be a lot of fun for the Weimar too. However, no one wants the unthinkable to spoil all the fun.
Remember, it is all good and fun until the unthinkable happens!
Here’s to an excellent Thanksgiving Day Celebration for all our Weim-loving Friends!!
Rumor Has It
An Unsuperversized Weimaraner
There is a common saying about the unsupervised Weimaraner. We are not repeating it. Maybe the sign should say, “You didn’t Watch Me, Shame on You!” Or it might read, “Got you again, when you were not looking.” Possibly, it might even read, “Your dinner was delicious, thank you!” Of course, they would ask what we are having tomorrow. (OMG)
Remy
My Sidekick
~ She has grown a lot since we brought her home
Here is a quick update on Remy. She’s doing great and growing up so quickly. She is my little sidekick all day and we love that she is getting the family out on walks every day.The Dog Park & More
I introduced her to a local dog park last week and once she got used to, she really enjoyed being off leash.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
Breeder Comment
Henry
Optimistic
~ Vigilant, too!
Henry is also an eternal optimist. He sits patiently, not making a noise unless you count drool hitting the floor, waiting for me to drop something. I usually let him lick my plate when I finish!!
Breeder’s Comment
We have been talking about training and living with the Weimar. I think it serves us well to remember they have stealth on their side. They are cunning and crafty as well.
Help in the Kitchen
Dishwasher
Yesterday we learned about Ohren’s help in the kitchen–you remember the photo of her helping pre-wash the dishes, right? If not-this her pictured above.
Her sister in Portland (Schatzi) also is a whiz at helping with the dishes. Jeff writes–
The kids are excited to have another dishwasher in the house!! Plus she slept through the night last night so that is a bonus with no pee in the crate. We are rolling now!!
Breeder Comment
The Duo
Maverick and Goose
~Las Vegas
We have the almost 14-year-old Maverick (grey), he will turn 14 in April, and the 3-year-old goose (blue). I figured you may get a kick out of seeing 2 of your little guys all grown up!
Breeder Comment
Berkley
In The Groove
Berkley is settling well into the routine of our family. She loves her walks. She likes to eat ice. She’s learning lots of commands and especially how to contain her enthusiasm by NOT jumping up on people. She thinks the living room is her jungle gym, jumping from chair to couch with very little effort. We’re working on curbing that. She has begun meeting other dogs and is showing an appropriate blend of curiosity and submission. She also enjoys riding in the car.
Pizza For Dinner
Her naughtiest moment so far (which really is not her fault…Blame it on her nose and on my husband) : My husband got a pizza out to put in the oven. She was sleeping peacefully on the couch at the time. He intended to return promptly to put it in the over so it would be ready for my return home, but he got sidetracked and forgot. When I came home he remembered that he didn’t put the pizza in the oven. I said, “no problem, I’ll put it in.” As I entered the kitchen, I realized that Berkley had pulled the pizza off the counter and eaten half of it! Thankfully, other than a little gas and the need to go outside in the middle of the night (which my husband took care of), she was fine.
Preventative Action
Sooooo…our friends showed us a trick to keep her paws off of the counter and it’s working so far. The second she puts her paws up on the counter, we shake this thing we made out of foil pans. It is so startling she takes off running and several days go by before she attempts to put her paws up again. As you can see from the picture, she is sitting on the chair in the background quite content to be away from the scary shiny shaker. As long as we have it on the counter she remembers to stay down. Our former Weimie had the same tendency… Such a good nose and such a strong desire for food!One of my favorite times of the day is when, after the kids are in bed, she snuggles up on the couch with me, tuckered out from the day’s activities.Berkley is a tremendous source of laughter and entertainment in our family, and we are thrilled to be making memories with her!!!Thanks again for making such a great match!Sincerely,Amanda
Breeder Comment
We are delighted to hear of your continued success and joy. We are in the business of making dreams come true–at least that is our goal. This breed is not for everyone. Anyone who loves the Weimaraner finds they both want to expound on the fabulous life with the Weimar and at the same time warn others it is not all that easy to raise one.
You are doing fabulous! I think it is vital to get the basics done; then you work on things such as counter-surfing, living room agility, and meet-and-greet techniques. Nonetheless, a friendly, happy, and active Weimaraner is a delight. I am sure we can agree on that fact.
Some of our readers recently began the training of a Weimar pup. They quickly learned that freedom is earned. You want to get the housebreaking, crate-training, and the desire to please engrained very soon. Then you can move on to other things–like compliance on the leash. We were so thrilled to see not all that long ago you had achieved excellent loose-leash-compliance. (Click here to read the previous Berkley update.) Those things go a long way toward having a well-adjusted and easier to live with Weimaraner. Keep up the great effort and thank you for thinking of us.
Final Thought
For those embarking on a journey–remember not to compare your situation with others. They (like this family) can give you hope of what can be achieved. Nevertheless, each family is unique. This adventure is a journey. It takes as long as it takes. It is a one-step at a time thing. Achieve the basics, so you have the solid foundation. Then, together, you can see what you can become.
Owyheestar Weimaraner's News 