Blog Archives
Sassy Francis (part two)
She is SO energetic and if my last Weim was any indication, I don’t expect a slow down for several more years. She is finally accepting crate time easier when I leave for work (I am lucky to work at home part of the time so her longest stretches are 5 hours), and at night she prefers my bedroom floor to the bed – though at some point early in the morning she usually hops up and lays at my feet.
Next on my agenda is to get her in for a swim test – there is a dock diving spot near me and for some reason, I think she will excel at it. She is stubborn, smart as hell, an incredible athlete (you should see her jump!) and enjoys playing in sprinklers.
We fought over my blueberries, she loves when my plums fall on her side of the fence (fortunately the tree is in the front yard) and she is suddenly interested in my figs – I guess they must be ripening.
She is a stunner and training her is keeping me on my toes. She definitely tests me on a daily basis, but boy howdy – when they are getting it, and they look at you with trust and love there is not a whole lot better in life. I love my Owyheestar girl.
Breeder Comment
Many have written how their OwyheeStar pup has been their sanity during these crazy last few months. I love how you have continued to work and develop together –plan for the future. Oh, dock-diving would be so excellent. Have fun!
Sassy Francis (part one)
Franny the Kracken
Sassy Francis, Franny the Kracken, turns 9 months this week if my calendar is correct. (bd 12/30/19)
She has been with me 6 months and what a ride it has been. First, there has been no end to the compliments – even from smooth coat Weim owners. The longhairs are unique and they seem to know it.
In her first 6 months here, Franny has grown in so many ways – tall as can be, she is over 50 lbs now, but all legs. Sometimes she moves like a dressage horse with a lovely angled trotting step. Often, that is followed by a completely graceless tumble from trying to stop quickly after a full run.
I am so fortunate to have a maybe 4-acre field next to my house and many neighbors bring their dogs out almost every evening. Humans stand apart and our regular entertainment is watching their antics. Franny and friends, many of them are also young dogs, look for each other to wrestle and fetch and simply play chase. They welcome new dogs and are so fun to watch.
K Marie
Breeder Comment
Thank you, K Marie, for this lovely picture into your life together. I divided into a couple of blog posts–I hope you don’t mind. She has such a lovely life with you–so happy you adore her.
Porsche
~Reducing exposure to TSP (total suspended particulates)
Hello from the smoky Willamette Valley boasting the worst air quality in the world. To help reduce Porsche’s exposure to TSP (total suspended particulates), this simple fix should work. Take a six inch coffee filter cone (a vacuum cleaner HEPA filter would be even better); cut enough off folded edge to miss eyes; open large part; stuff it inside a well ventilated muzzle; voila, you have a doggie mask. Porsche is not thrilled with it, but it allows her a bit more outside time. We are blessed with the ability to let dogs out right into the kennel for business. If someone has to walk their dog, this might help. This is a home remedy, not a scientifically tested filter system.
I worked 15 years with the American Lung Association dealing with air quality issues, and feel this will help.
God Bless you all; stay safe.
JuneAnn
Breeder Comment
Thank you, JuneAnn, for this information.
Tilman
~ Part Two
I still have plans for Tilman. I had hoped to start training for therapy dog certification in March or April and unfortunately, due to the virus, that has been put on hold. We’re using this time to learn to walk on a flat buckle collar, which is a requirement of the therapy dog. Tilman graduated from a head harness to a martingale collar with ease and I’m sure moving to a regular collar will also not phase him. He is a Weim through and through and let me know when he was done with the crate and head harness. These were two things he was started with as a pup and as he got older decided that he didn’t really like either that much. He understood that he was being given the opportunity to prove that he could be a good pup without either of these tools, and has succeeded in keeping his freedom from both.
This sweet and goofy boy is everything I wanted and we are such a good match. He is mostly calm but always ready to go if I am. Tilman is clearly an only child as he will seek my attention to play however, if I’m busy or have played enough, he will simply entertain himself. He is such a happy guy always smiling with his tail held high.
Thanks for what you do for the Weimaraner breed! Tilman is such a fine example of your experience and passion.
Breeder Comment
Tilman is gorgeous, and you have done well with him. Of course, from the moment we first spoke, I never doubted you would succeed. Thank you for the lovely update–everyone enjoyed seeing him. There were quite a few comments and likes. Have a beautiful summer.
Tilman
~Part One
My sweet boy just turned two in March and he is just the best. He lives a semi-charmed life in downtown Saint Paul where we walk 2 to 3 miles every morning together and then he goes out a few times a week on pack walks with a group of other dogs that live in the neighborhood along with a good friend of mine, who is also a dog trainer. He LOVES going for walks with his friends! He is so proud and whenever a new dog is added to the pack, he wants to show them how to do it, “This is how we walk”.
He is THE GOOFIEST dog I’ve ever met. He smiles at me when I come home and he is so affectionate, leaning into hugs and giving lots of kisses. I have only had short hairs prior to Tilman and I have to say that in the last 6 months, his fluff has really come into it’s own. He is three different colors of Weim and the hair behind his shoulders, down his back and on his entire torso has turned into this long bunny soft light colored hair. He gets complimented all the time about what a gorgeous boy he is!
Tilman is an extraordinary example of the breed. He is curious and sometimes cautious but not fearful.He looks to me for his cues. He is friendly and loves everyone he meets. He is whip smart and will learn anything you can think to teach him so fast. He is a helper and wants see and smell and try everything. He loves to learn and show what he knows and was a breeze to train because he is so eager to please however, like any willful breed, I have needed to remain consistent with his training. TIlman also loves the water but is still hesitant to swim much. He will not hesitate to lay in a mud puddle, however.
Take care– Emily and Tilman (and little big sister Nara, the Chihuahua)
Breeder Comment
We are so happy to hear from you–and to see how well Tilman is doing. Stackhouse is a mud puddle flopping Weim–OMG We love that Tilman smiles –we have a Longhair girls that smiles and wags her entire body. It is adorable.
Luna
~ Not her cup of tea
They say Weims are smart dogs and Luna’s no exception.
As you can imagine, Luna is always by my side watching when I work from home. Now that we’re full time at home she’s decided to fill in while I take a break.
After a few minutes of techy talk she realized IT isn’t for her and she was exhausted. So she retired to the couch and after her nap went back to chasing balls. 😂😂😂
Hope you’re all staying safe and healthy!
Take care, Kris
Breeder Comment
I have often felt that Weims are seriously smarter than their humans. This post is excellent for so many reasons–thank you for thinking of us.
Luna
~Here’s the Scoop
It’s been a while since I’ve given you an update so thought I’d share the latest with you. You know better than anyone pups can change so rapidly!
Luna (a.k.a Luna Tuna, Looney Tunes) is going on 5 months now and she’s really getting quite big. Others notice it more than I do but at our last vet visit on the 6th, she was 25 lbs. She’s almost as tall and long as her brother Frankie.
She had her last vaccine that day and we made it through without any issue. I feel like a while new world opened up to us as I’ve kept her a bit isolated until she was fully vaccinated. Now we’re going to puppy play time and going on different more populated areas for our walks.
As you’ve seen by some of my comments in posts, I’ve been a bit challenged crate training Luna. Sometimes the best leads come from the most unusual places and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. In this case, my hair stylist who is big into dog rescue. She gave me the info of a private trainer right here in town.
We had a 2 hour consult last week at my house while she observed Luna to understand what we’re dealing with as far as her crate and fear of unfamiliar people. By the end of the session, Luna was sleeping right by her side while I sat on the other side of the room. When she woke up, rather than looking for me she rolled on her back to get a nice belly rub. I was so proud of her!!
She determined Luna isn’t a rehab case (that was a real possibility given her HOD episode and trauma that could have left an imprint with her) and doesn’t have a crate issue because she goes right in. It’s the separation from me that’s the problem. We talked about a plan on how to address her separation anxiety, socialization and gaining more confidence.
In the meantime, Luna is loving the social distancing and self isolating measures we’re taking as a family to do our part in limiting the virus while staying healthy. If she had her way, I think she’d quarantine me for life! 😂😂😂
I’m looking forward to starting our sessions in a few weeks. Luna was VERY receptive to the idea (it may have helped the trainer had real venison jerky during her visit). I have a really good feeling we’ve taken the right approach for her. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.
Take care, Kris
Breeder Comment
Thanks ever so much for thinking of us with this update. Of course, the world is following Luna, and rooting for her to do well. (haha)
Success!!!
~Well, kind of . . .
Freya is slowly getting Ava to warm up to her as long as there isn’t food involved. Freya is completely submissive but big sister still has to let her know her place.
Freya’s full name is Freya Lady of Love but she certainly does not love bath time – note the frumpy face!
The only perk is that she knows she gets treats after she endures the wet torture her crazy humans inflict on her.
Breeder Comment
We are happy to see that things are coming together. Sometimes it takes a bit–and more than anything the humans have to breathe deep and try not to be concerned. It works its way out –and crazy humans are essential. It is all good. Thanks for apprising us!
One Week
~What A Difference!
It’s amazing what can happen in a week!
To start, we were at the vet last Friday discussing vaccine options. Luna did get a distemper that day. I’m thrilled to say there wasn’t another HOD episode. You can imagine I was watching for any subtle change with her. The prednisone she’s on right now might have helped. I honestly don’t know but glad we sailed through it. We’re on the tail end of that by weening her off the meds and we’ll done in a week.
I’m learning so much about her and her personality. Frankie is her sparring partner. Boy she really gives it to him but he’s like a concrete wall. She loves eating, balls, baths and belly rubs. She doesn’t like unfamiliar people so much and sits at my feet. She likes her people – me, Justin and Alyssa in that order. She doesn’t like her crate so much.
All the work I’ve been doing with her suddenly clicked with her this week. All her commands, verbal and non she was on point. Although her spinning got a bit overboard and tried to be too cute and spin at any command. When she stopped focusing and started puppying, we stopped.
She also started ringing the bell at the door to go out almost every time. I think like her learning to spin, she was ringing the bell for treats more so than actually having to go out but it was a win/win for both of us because we’re having fewer accidents in the house.
But something even more magical happened. She went into her crate on her own. When I heard her go in, I turned around and cheered her on for going in there and giving her lots of treats.
At first, it became a game. I’m like, “ok, I’ll play if it gets you to like it”. We went back and forth from crate to treat for about 24 hours. Then she started staying in there. I’d give her commands and treats letting her walk out at any time. We go between praising, talking and more commands. She just stayed.
We’ll continue working on this training as well as stay, come and heel.
She’s such an amazingly sweet girl. The morning kisses, 1:1 play time, our howling sessions and all the little things in between. ❤
Breeder Comment
Thanks for keeping us updated on Luna and all your adventures.
Caught Redhanded ?!?
~Or the Paw Going for a Goodie
I had to take this picture of Olli this AM as I am not sure if his paw got stuck on the cabinet or he was just caught redhanded!! This was going on while his dear sister, Indi, was posing in the backyard. If she only knew what she was missing!
All is well with Olli and Indi. They are both healthy and are keenly aware of all rabbit movements under the snow filled deck :). It is a riot watching them go back and forth trying to ferret out the creatures. One of these days they will be rewarded for all of their efforts 🙂
Hope all is well! Mary
Breeder Comment
Thank you, Mary, for capturing this bit of impending mischief. (Haha) We love hearing about your two Longhairs.
