Thought you might enjoy to see how my girl Alli is doing! She is a love bug, but boy is she afraid of everything! As a pup I exposed her to everything and she is still afraid of every loud sound, the lawn mower, and gun shots (which we have a lot of) just to name a couple. She is terrified of getting her nails clipped even though that is also something I worked on with her as a pup. She is just a dog with her very own ways. She loves me to no end and her whole butt wages when I am near. She shares my pillow with me and we cuddle when she is scared. She loves my kids and gives them lots of kisses.
Yes, folks, we are at the juncture of the two-week nerve-racking celebration of our Independence. All too many Weimaraners shake and hide during the hoopla. Most Weim parents do the exact opposite of what will help prevent this horrid situation. It is good to keep in mind that the most natural response is typically the wrong one. Here are some suggestions for survival and if your Weimaraner is not afraid of noise–to prevent ingraining a fear of loud sounds.
- Sunday June 30 — From our Photo Archives
Monday July 1—Shedding and the Weimaraner - Tuesday July 2 — Goose and his titer test results
- Wednesday July 3— Bentley
- Thursday July 4—Independence Day Weimar Style
- Friday July 5 — Zeus earns his AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificate
How Did Your Weim Cope?
We had varied reports. Goose was unfazed by the fireworks. Others were scrambling to accommodate their Weim, and used Thunder Shirts to try to avoid stress. Once your Weim has developed a fear of loud sounds, it is hard to turn back the clock. Owners often (unknowing)ingrain the fear of loud sounds. There are development cycles within a dog’s life actually called fear-periods. During these times, a dog will suddenly become afraid of something. The normal response is to baby them and tell them it is alright. Nothing could be worse for the Weimaraner. By consoling them, you ingrain the fear, and tell them their fearful behavior is justified (and normal). If you are upset, or unnerved too, this adds to the depth of ingraining. Turning around this type of thing takes time, patience, and a knack. There is a company that makes a DVD you play that is classical music. The background had either gun fire, or fireworks. The volume of the loud noise increases over times. This can help desensitize them.
If you are raising a puppy, the best approach is to desensitize them, and keep them that way. Yes, you can buy the DVD and use it. You can also ding a pan very lightly and give a snack. Even better enlist a helper to do that. Using this method you introduce sound gradually, much like you would introduce a Weim to gun fire. The proper method is important. Initially, the sound should be in the background, and some distance away. The Weim should be doing something very fun (retrieving, getting a snack, or running around the yard with you). The noise should not distract them. Have your assistant move closer, and over a period of days (or weeks) repeat the exercise. Don’t force the issue. You, the handler, should ignore your assistant.
Vacuuming at the Weim is sure to cause issue. Put them in their safe place (a crate), and vacuum. Chasing most dogs will create a problem with the vacuum cleaner, and associate noise with a fear of vacuums. Some people will move a crate near the washer and dryer, and put them in that area when they are gone. These appliances emit varied sound, and it can become soothing–especially the dryer. Leave the television or music going. Random noise can help them learn to deal with the unexpected sounds they will have in life. No time is worse than the 4th of July, but try not to be uptight. Yes, it can get tiresome listening to the illegal fireworks going off all week, and seeing it upset your Weimaraner. However, your frustration doesn’t help the Weimaraner cope.
Looking Ahead
We are lining up the ducks. The next two-three weeks will take us through another round of puppy exits. Our clients are well aware of all that entails. I have been working on blog-drafts, so I can be sure each day has one ready to go. We have several updates to share, and we will see how it comes together. Right now, I have two posts in a publish-ready format. I hope I can get more done today, but we are off to take some cute puppy photos. Many of you saw the random photos we took of Brad and Nick with the pups this week. I posted the most popular one here.
Thank you again for liking OwyheeStar, and for keeping us updated. We have a couple of exciting updates to share for the coming week.
Many blessings and warm wishes from Shela and Cliff–
(and the OwyheeStar Weimaraners too!)
~Thank you for being a part of our lives!
