[wdsman1]

We are adopting a 3yr old adult weimeraner tonight. We don't know a whole lot about her but the owner wanted it to go to a hunting home. From what I understand the dog never had formal training and sometimes does not bring the bird back to you.

Any tips for us?

 

[Carl Bergen]

sso it was hunted and shot over?? You are lucky that the only problem is an occasional missed retrieve. Good luck!!

 

[wdsman1]

Yes hunted and shot over. Keeping my fingers crossed that there are no major issues.

 

[Woods walker]

Exercise, exercise exercise. A tired dog is a happy dog.

 

[hunter4095]

i have a buddy that tried the same thing with a 2 1/2 year old female, it didnt last to long. the thing had severe issues along with chewing half his house apart.

man i wish you luck.

 

[Rober]

Have your dog evaluated by a trainer. Spend a little money and give Tom Gingher from Knob Mountain Kennels a call and have him work it and see which way you should proceed. Tom is the dog forum sponsor and a great dog trainer. Or you could even contact Pointer on this forum, he trains dogs also and has some real special dogs, not sure he does this but you want to start off on the right foot.

 

[Honkers51]

What i'd do..is just get to know it...walk it see what OB trainning she responds too..if she has ob problems work on them...but i would'nt hunt her this year or until she listens to your commands and maybe even collar train her after she knows your commands...she's still young and you should have many years with her..but make sure she'll behave and listen to you out in the field..many of dogs have been hurt or injured while not listening out in the field...Honkers

 

[Pointer]

Good posts. I would also no worry about the hunting part right now. It does not hurt to have a trainer evaluate her for her field abilities, but I would concentrate on her house and personal manners. If your on the eastern part of the state, definitely contact Tom or someone from your area to look at the dog in the field. If in the western part of the state, I would not have any problem evaluting her for you. I work with 150 to 200 a year, so I have certainly seen it all.

Weimies can have temperament issues as many dogs can. I find a lot of them to be nippy and hopefully she has no social or behavioral issues. Once you know that she is a good home companion, then you can determine her abilities in the field.

It doesn't matter if she hunts well or not if she has issues that are unbearable at home. Hopefully you have discussed with the previous owner the reasons for rehoming her and what issues she might have.

 

[wdsman1]

We have her home. She seems to be pretty calm, atleast a lot calmer than I expected. She does pull slightly on the leash but it isn't to bad. We did stop at a friends on the way home and she did not respond well to another dog. Hopefully it is something that can be worked out. We will focus on obedience training for now and not hunting. I will get her evaluated sometime next year. Thanks for the comments.

 

[bhairhoger]

where are you located? The meeting with the other dog could have gone bad because she is new to you and new to that area. You might want to think about joining a training club to get around other dogs and learn different training methods. Best of luck!

 

[RyanR]

We have her home. She seems to be pretty calm, atleast a lot calmer than I expected. She does pull slightly on the leash but it isn't to bad. We did stop at a friends on the way home and she did not respond well to another dog. Hopefully it is something that can be worked out. We will focus on obedience training for now and not hunting. I will get her evaluated sometime next year. Thanks for the comments.

Think about it from the dog's perspective: Let's see, the dog barely knows you and is now riding somewhere in your strange car and you stop at another stranger's house and then introduce it to a strange dog? Hard to expect any other reaction really other than what the dog gave.

Let the dog bond with you and your family first and foremost before you ever start introducing it to other people and especially dogs. Treat this dog kind of like a new puppy, TAKE THINGS SLOW and POSITIVE. If you have some vacation days start taking some and spend hours of quality time with the dog. Go for long hikes, etc. Take it with you in the car to the local coffee shop in the morning. All things you would do as you introduce a puppy to new things that will be a part of its new life.

After several months of this bonding, come spring only then take it to a trainer to be evaluated, etc. That's my opinion anyway.

 

[wdsman1]

I'm located in Shillington/Mohnton outside of Reading. We ran into a dog off a leash on our walk tonight. She pulled but did not growl. I turned her around and everything was fine. I would like to join a training club.

I agree that having her around another dog that soon would cause that reaction.

She is doing well so far. She understands what no means for the most part. She tried to jump in bed several times during the night but went back to her bed at the foot of the bed when corrected.

 

[TusseyMtMan]

Good luck. my wife adopted one 2 yrs ago(now 5 yrs old), against my wishes. We are its 3rd home. We since have had a baby and my wife abandoned the dog and I am stuck taking care of it.
They need 15 miles of running a week minimum, to stay in shape. Mine does not get it and is fat.
They can be a good breed if you get them young enough and take care of them. I blame my wife, not the dog. Just know what you are getting into.

 

[Pine-Creek]

wdsman1,
Weimars are one man dogs, adopting one can be touchy,
visit the dog many times before you bring her home.
Let her accept you, bond with her before you do any field work with her. A good Weimar dog is not a toy, they are bred with a guard instinct, do some reading about exactly what kind of animal you are adopting. Do not let your newly adopted Weimar alone in your home. If the old master has kennel trained her in his home, it will make the
transition easier on the dog, you and your family. Weimar dogs demand a lot of attention, make sure you provide it.
I have owned & trained many Weimar dogs thru the years, still own one now, if you need further help drop me some
private mail.
Pine Creek/Dave
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers

 

[wdsman1]

She has been a very sweet dog so far. When we picked her up there was no barking or growling. The guy was at work when we picked her up and the wife and kids were there. When I left for work this morning my wife said she was crying. When my wife left this afternoon she put her in the crate which she is used to.

We are really happy with how she is adapting to her new home. I'm really not even as concerned as I thought I would be with her hunting ability. It's just nice to have her in the home. She definitely damands a lot of attention. I'm not used to having someone follow me through the house.

My wife runs daily and she will take the dog with her. Hopefully that will burn off some energy.

 

[Pine-Creek]

wdsman1,
Great transition, fantastic job, she has become your dog. Get use to being followed, treat her well and she will protect your family and your home. I hope she came form a good hunting line and that you have an incredable life together. Do you know who bred your Weimar dog?
Pine Creek/Dave

 

[wdsman1]

I unfortunately do not know anything about her blood line. I know she was bought by a private party not a breeder. "Bella" also had two litters of her own. We plan to have her spayed in the next few weeks.

Yesterday I was overly concerned with her hunting ability. After spending time with her I am just happy to give her a good home. Thanks everyone for the comments. I will update the progress in a few weeks.

 

[Weimaraner]

I have to reiterate the not worrying about hunting part. Let the pup get a feel for you, and you for her. Weims are great dogs in my book. I have found love and firmness to be the best combination. They are smart critters and can be devious little buggers if you let them.
I have two. One a rescue. The rescue was never intended to be a hunter, he is my wife's and daughter's 'little boy' and has been a wonderful addition to the family. The older dog was my hunting buddy until she started having arthritis problems. I still take her out on small walks, but no extended hunting, she tries too hard and winds up lame.
Weims are a great breed. they are eager to please and will become a wonderful family member, if you help them do it.
Good luck.

 

[wdsman1]

Update on Bella. Things have been great so far for the most part. She is a loving dog and has been a great addition to our family. We just had her spayed last Thursday so we have not had her out to run since. When she is healed we will want to get her some obedience training first and then some hunting training.

She can definely be stubborn. Sometimes she chooses when to listen when we tell her to sit or lay down. She is good about going to lay down when we tell her to. We have been leaving her out when we are away for about 2 weeks with no issues. She stays in the back of the vehicle when we take her out but likes to jump into the front and tries to get out the front when we get out. We will need to fix that.

Any recommendations for obedience training in Berks County. We were considering the 2 week training at Peacock kennels where she would stay for 2 weeks. They do use shock collars in their training which I am ok with. The main issue is the cost. It is close to $2000 for the two weeks which is out of our budget.

She is good with people coming to the house. She barks and then calms down once she sees that the people are ok. She isn't big on getting attention from visitors...she likes to hang around myself and my wife.

She is pretty good on the leash. She typically stops the pulling once corrected a few times and has been good going on runs with my wife.

We are very happy that we took her in. She will be a great dog and will be even better with some training.

 

[timberdoodle]