This page was last updated on: March 20, 2008
Comments from Weim owners
used with permission....
Experiences, Thoughts, & Comments...
Good for you for taking the time to consider whether a weim pup is a good fit for you and your family.
Weims are very, very good dogs, but honestly they are a demanding breed. They want to be with you 24/7 and need to be ran at least 5 days a week from my experience. Sage can handle us being at work for about 3 days, after that she finds any paper that she can in the house and shreds it in the living room - boredom has sent in for this little girl!! But she tends to not do this if her buddy Poncho (boyfriend's black lab) is around or any other people are around. I honestly run her down at the park about 5 days a week, then try to get a good 2+hr hike/swim in on the weekend to chill her out for a little while. The smartest thing I did with her was bring her around any and all people and animals from the second I got her so now she loves kids, animals, doesn't mind me touching other dogs, etc. I've read that weims can be very protective and not nice to strangers, so I made sure to break her of that right off the bat. And I had no problems housebreaking her. I swear it was in her instinct as she only peed in the house twice. I would totally recomment the Nielsen's to anyone that is looking for a weim pup too. I've had sooo many compliments on Sage and her temperment couldn't be any better. I've come across other weims and they just aren't the same, but dogs are like kids I think... you always love your own first! I'd totally recommend this breeder any day of the week and the breed if you've got the time that these dogs demand. The only hard part to these dogs is being diligent about disciplining as a puppy. Weims by far are the cutest pups, so it was soooooo hard to discipline this one.. but you have to or they will run your world!
Anyway, I love my weim, she's a great dog - about 60lbs and I get very nice compliments on her all the time. But I do recommend that you be sure that this breed is for you, they need attention!
Callie Meier
Hi!
So, you are thinking about getting a Weimaraner puppy from Cliff and Shela at OwyheeStar.
Well, I just got a pup from Shela 2 weeks ago. Your concerns are valid, and I am sorry to hear about your weim. We got scared last fall when our name came up on the waiting list! Shela had some people email us and it really helped our decision. We just kept hearing horror stories about Weims! We finally decided to just go for it. I really think that it is VERY important to have a reputable breeder and also understand Weims and thier needs. It sounds to me like you know all about them and just had a bad experience with personality last time. It sounds like maybe he never trusted people? Was he socialized well? I have read alot too - and Im no expert on dogs, but I think that being ready to socialize and train immediately helps alot. We are making sure to do this with our pup, Bailey. I have read not to play tug-o-war with the pups...we arent but I had never thought of that before. You do that, and end up letting them have it in the end, right? Well, they "won". Also, feed them snacks from your hands, and I would have lots of friends come over to the house as much as you can for the first 6 months or so and have them feed him snacks from thier hand as well. I think this would help in developing trust and love for humans.
Look at me, Im going off topic and giving you advice you didnt ask for ;) cant help it! But I really do not think you are going to have this problem with a weim from Shela - just something to think about though.
Bailey would be the same blood line as your pup. Bailey is amazing! I only have one other puppy from a different breeder to compare him too, but the difference is night and day really. We were so worried about personality and everything he has so far exceeded our expectations. He is very friendly with all he has come in contact with. He is SO smart and has picked up on our training immediately. I honestly keep waiting for him to do something horrible, but he hasnt yet. We kennel trained him. He is in his kennel during the day for about 5 hours and at night in our room. During the evening we will play alot and then give him a break in his kennel in the family room with us where he can see us. He is so good about this. Very comfortable in the kennel. He grumbles a bit then just lays down and chews on his rawhide sticks. I think its important to have him in his kennel while we are home, not just when we are gone. He hasnt chewed up blankets or anything in there. He hasnt chewed up anything that isnt his toy. When he is into something he shouldnt be he looks at us. We tell him no, and he stops. He was 90% potty trained in the first week. Everything has gone sooo smoothly.
Did I help at all?? I think that bottom line is you have to have 2 things. The right breeder and the right attitude and training for the pup immediately. You have to be the dominant one and he/she needs to know that immediately. If you have those 2 things everything will be great! Did Shela tell you about the Tamar Gellar dvd? We ordered that and it was a great investment! We started with her "loved dog method" immediately. The whole family watched it so we are all on the same page.
Abbie Gipson 2/28/2008
