Breeder’s Comment: People often tell us (during the application process) that they will never leave their Weimaraner alone. First, it is possible to make that bold statement; but it is impossible to guarantee that will be what happens. You do not know what the future might hold for you, your family, and your lifestyle. Loss of life, loss of a job, or the unraveling of a relationship changes all the dynamics. Many people are caught short, because they didn’t plan for the worst possible scenario. We believe in focusing on the many blessings, but at the same time planning for the unexpected. This includes preparing for the Weimaraner in the event you must be away, or the home situation changes. 

We are glad that Jerry and Linda are going to have a happy event, and this is not a life-changing situation. Nonetheless, when you must be away, the Weimaraner is going to face dealing with your absence. They are highly prone to severe separation-anxiety, and your absence leads them to feel abandoned. They may feel you got lost, and try to escape to look for you. They may chew, bark, refuse to eat, or withdraw. It is important to minimize the impact on them. Preparing them to cope with your absence is vital to the best possible outcome. Here is a note we received from this couple who are planning a very deserved second honeymoon. Our comments and suggestions are in the gold ink.

First of all, I would like to tell you (again) that we LOVE Maizie SO much.  She is a joy in our lives.  She is so smart, fun, sweet, feisty, a teaser, beautiful, and a genuine delight to begin each new day with.  She is a part of our family.  She is presently 16.5 months old.

Jerry and I have a second honeymoon planned.  We went to Greece 20 years ago–and we are going back for our 20th wedding anniversary. Congratulations on the twenty years!  Maizie will stay at Sniff Dog Hotel in Northwest Portland in a Deluxe Suite.  She will have a half day of daycare (playing with lots of other dogs) and receive a 20-minute walk daily.  She has had a couple of daycare days there and has stayed all night on two occasions.  The first time, we were told, she cried all night.  She was in a closed pen.  The second time, we changed to the Deluxe Suite (windows) and were told there were no issues.  She tends to sleep the entire next day on her return home.

It is so important that Maize is adjusting to her home-away-from-home (in advance of your departure). The more overnights, and opportunities she has to embrace the idea of being safe at this second location the better. Weims tend to like the same routine. They forge a deep connection with their people, and their surroundings. It must be very exhausting (emotionally) for her to be away from her normal routine. Notice–we didn’t say this was bad.

We want to do everything possible to prepare her for the lengthy separation.  We feel good about Sniff Dog Hotel.  My concern is for Maizie missing us and wondering when we are coming back to bring her home.  I will feel better while we are away if I know Maizie will be okay.  Our son may take her out for hikes on his days off and return her to Sniff.

She has two more overnights scheduled–practice runs.  We want her to get used to this.  Do you have any advice for us?  Thank you so much.

There is no simple approach to preparing Maize for your extended absence. Giving her ample opportunity to practice coping with change, and showing her you will always return will help ease her anxiety. Even then, it is important that you mix up how you return. If you leave her and return at the same time, she will begin to predict this new routine, and how things work. Mixing things up a bit, will help Maize better cope with change. It will help her be more flexible. We suggest leaving some medication (you can get from the vet) to help her be more relaxed, just in case the extended visit takes its toll on her. We would not suggest using these unless it becomes necessary, but if as time wears on, she becomes intolerant of the separation, medication might help her manage. Proper preparation should make the use of medication unnecessary.

Each person must look at their options, and figure out how to best approach something like this. If you must leave her at a facility, having her used to the routine, and the fact that you eventually will pick her up is important. One suggestion would be to see how it works with your son coming and going while she is there on the practice visit. In theory this sounds great, but does it work to her benefit when she is left overnight (after his visit)? Or does his visit reopen the feeling of being left? Sometimes in our effort to what is best for our beloved friends, we create new problems. 

People teach their Weims to stay alone in many different ways. The most common method is to crate-training them. If you are of the mind and heart that the crate is bad, then you probably never used one. Or, if you did crate-train, your goal was to get rid of it as soon as possible. We always recommend that you keep your Weimaraner crate-friendly. This can serve you well in various situations where the kennel might prove a lifesaver. A potential  plan could have involved using a crate during the day. Then having someone she knows stay with her in the evening, and on the weekend. This could happen in her own home, or at home she knows and loves. Some people have a friend or family member stay at their house in their absence. One couple we know, have a person (Janet) that specializes in taking care of people’s dogs. She does this as a sideline. She will make house calls. For their vacations (when they don’t take their dogs), Janet will stay at the house or set up a temporary stay elsewhere–her home or her friend’s place. Janet comes frequently, even when they are not going to be out of town. She is like the extended family member that provides care during their absence. They have two dogs, and sometimes they take their Weim with and leave the other home. They used to leave their dogs at a daycare during their vacations, but this has worked far better for them and their two fur-family-members.

Late addition from Idelle (Lucy’s Mama) 

Hello, I am the one who uses the Pet Sitter that Shela mentioned. My vet is the one who actually gave me her name years ago. She has been wonderful!!! We looked a long time for a place when we were going on our first trip and couldn’t take our Weim Lucy with us. It was a Pet Resort that sounds a lot like the place you are using. The first couple times we left our dogs there worked out ok but after that we noticed that Lucy would lose a lot of weight in just one week. The last time we took her she lost seven lbs!! Lucy looked so skinny when we picked her up. They said she ate everything and played with all the other dogs and seemed fine to them.  I took her to the vet. She said that Lucy just get’s too nervous in that environment. She recommended not to take her back there for any extended period of time again. A night or weekend would be fine but not a week. So I said what should I do? That is when she gave me the name of our Pet Sitter. She watches a lot of people’s dogs at the Vet’s office and came highly recommended from our Vet as well as the office staff!! That is one option you might look into if your Pet Resort doesn’t work out for you. She primarily watches the kids (dogs) here at our house. That way they get to stay in their own home environment that they are used to. I hope everything works out well for you.