Bringing a lively, curious, ingenious Weimaraner puppy or dog into your household requires some prior planning to insure that your puppy or dog is a well-behaved and delightful family companion. The following information provides some basic guidelines you can follow to insure that you and your companion live together in harmony.
NOTE: This page is currently under construction - come back later for more information on caring for your Weimaraner!
When you get your new puppy or dog home, it is important for the first few weeks to feed him the same food he has been eating. Sudden changes in diet can cause digestive upset or even more serious health problems. Any changes to diet or water should be gradual.
It is important that you feed your puppy or dog a high quality dog food that is appropriate for your dogs age and activity level. It is important that the nutritional requirements of your dog are being met and it is important to understand that the age of your dog and his activity level have a direct connection to those requirements. Read the label on the food you wish to feed your dog to make sure that it matches his age and activity level.
Puppies are traditionally fed four times a day. This method works well for individuals who are home during the day or who can be there to feed the puppies at the appropriate times. This method has the advantage of teaching the puppies to dive into the food immediately and to clean up the bowl. This can be a very useful habit for your dogs.
When using dry food, soak the dry food thoroughly with warm water. DO NOT use cow's milk! Cow's milk is the most common cause of diarrhea in puppies.
When the puppy begins to leave most of one feeding almost untouched, it is time to reduce the number of feedings. Most puppies can be cut back to 3 meals a day by 12 weeks and two meals a day by 5 months.
NOTE: Puppies eliminate shortly after eating, which can be helpful in housebreaking!
Adult dogs are typically fed twice a day. The traditional explanation for this is to prevent a deadly condition known as bloat. This condition is still being investigated by veterinary scientists and we will keep you apprised of the results of their investigations.
An alternative method of feeding your dog is by adopting the free-feeding method. This method basically gives puppies access to dry food all day long. This method is particularly useful for those who are not home during the day. There are some advantages to free-feeding: puppies have an insatiable urge to do something with their mouths and free feeding can direct that urge to less destructive means. Puppies that are free-fed rarely overeat and become fat. (This may not be true of an adult dog that has not been free-fed as a puppy).
As far as vitamin supplements are concerned, one should exercise caution and prudence. Most dog foods are designed to provide balanced nutrition for your dog based on age and activity level. Adding supplements or other things like meat, eggs, milk, and table scraps can upset that balance. Further, excessive consumption of certain vitamins and minerals can cause serious health problems.
Some puppies can experience periods of extremely rapid growth during the first 9 months which may increase the need for calcium and phosphorous. At these times, it is safe to add 1/2 to 1 cup of cottage cheese per day. Additional supplements should only be used on the advice of your veterinarian.
It is easier to have a harmonious relationship with your puppy or dog when you both know and understand rules about what is acceptable behavior. It is imperative that you set consistent expectations and limits before you bring home your puppy or dog. Will your new companion be allowed on furniture? will he be allowed to sleep on your bed? will she be allowed to beg for table scraps? You must identify the behavior that you expect from your dog and agree to live by those rules from day one!
Once you have established the rules and the behavior you expect from your dog, you must insure that all family members understand the rules and that they must enforce the rules consistently and fairly. It is often useful to draw up a list of the rules for your dog and include commands that will be used to enforce the rules. Your puppy or dog will only get confused about what you expect if each family member is using different commands in association with the rules for your dog.
Finally, it is very important to insure that the rules are enforced consistently. It is very difficult to modify the behavior of a Weimaraner that has been allowed to break the rules by a family member.
Just as you would protect your family members from danger in your household, you must insure that your household is safe for your new puppy or dog. There are many dangers lurking in an unprepared home, and the inquisitive nature of Weimaraners means that you must plan ahead.
Foremost, anything that can be swallowed represents a real threat to the well being of your new companion. Therefore, anything that can be swallowed should be out of sight and out of reach. It is also important to teach your children not to give food or toys to the new puppy or dog. You may want to consider establishing a rule that the puppy or dog is not allowed in a child's room. Realize that Weimaraners are incredibly curious and intelligent dogs and that they will investigate where they shouldn't if the proper rules are not established and enforced.
As your puppy grows or if you have a full grown dog, try to keep temptation at bay. Make sure tables and counters are kept free and clean of potential hazards. Further, don't reward your puppy or dog with pencils or other fun objects to chew on that may be easily accessible.
Weimaraners are known to love to nibble on greenery, whether it be your favorite potted plant or a seemingly indigestible cactus. Many houseplants are poisonous and if ingested can cause serious injuries or death. Some also contain chemicals that can cause dermatitis and allergic reactions. It is important to establish a rule about houseplants being off limits as well as placing the more dangerous plants out of harms way.
Things that hang, such as macramé, netting, screen cords, etc. offer an irresistible temptation to grab and pull. Make sure any hanging objects are well out of the reach of the most determined Weimaraner.
Another curious fact about Weimaraners is that being the resourceful and curious creatures that they are, the view latches as a special, personal challenge. Few, if any closures, can foil a Weimaraner determined enough to open them and see what's inside. The best defense is to minimize opportunities for successfully opening latched cupboards, cabinets, etc. while the puppy isn't adept at opening them. Again, establish and consistently enforce rules about opening cupboards and cabinets. You should capitalize on the Weimaraner's strong desire for approval versus disapproval.
Weimaraners, being hunting, pointing, retrieving dogs love the outdoors. Even so, they do rather well in an urban environment without access to a backyard. However, if you are going to allowing your puppy or dog to spend time in the backyard, it is important to insure the safety of both your dog and your yard.
Fencing is an important consideration for a backyard that will serve as a play area for your Weimaraner. The height of the fence is somewhat dependent upon your dog. For dogs that are not known as fence jumpers, a height of 4 feet might prove adequate. However, it is important to realize that if a Weimaraner is determined to get out, a 6 foot fence would not be insurmountable.
Not only will the fence keep your dog from leaving the safety of the backyard, it can also be a valuable asset in keeping other dogs out of your yard. This is an especially important consideration for bitches in heat. It should be noted that invisible electronic fences don't work particularly well with Weimaraners.
If you have trees, shrubs, and other plants in your backyard, realize that they will most likely come under the mischievous attention of your puppy or dog. Surrounding your prized plants with chicken wire can help keep them from being the object of fun and games by the overactive imagination of a Weimaraner.
Like houseplants, many decorative shrubs and flowers are poisonous. For ease of mind, it is best to make sure that the backyard is free from deadly temptation.
The establishment and maintenance of flower beds can be especially challenging with a Weimaraner. The attention you spend on your garden seems to pique the interest of Weimaraners who take great delight in digging up your efforts. Again, establish and consistently enforce rules or do your gardening out of site and knowledge of your Weimaraner.
If you happen to have a swimming pool, ornamental pool, or hot tub, realize that these can represent a real hazard to an unfamiliar puppy or dog. Just as you would supervise a toddler, you should supervise your puppy or dog and insure that they know how to get out of the pool or hot tub should they accidentally fall in. You may want to establish the rule that the pool or hot tub is off limits and make sure you take the necessary steps to insure that if you are not around, they cannot accidentally find themselves in the pool or hot tub. Protective covers usually do the trick.
Weimaraners are fairly good swimmers and a really great way to keep your dog in shape is to let him swim. Whatever you decide with respect to the water hazards in your backyard, make sure you give your dog consistent guidance about what behaviors around these elements are acceptable.
The right equipment will make life with your puppy or dog a more enjoyable experience. This section describes some of the common pieces of equipment to include in your household.
Crates
One of the most expensive but practical pieces of equipment to purchase is a dog crate. Many people are taken aback when they think of a dog crate. Many think of them as a cage and that such a thing is unthinkably cruel. From the perspective of your new companion, however, the crate serves as a den - a place of comfort and safety, a refuge when troubled or frightened, a place that is their own.
Wild dogs are born in a den, and as a result, dogs consistently seek out dark, confined places for naps or when danger is lurking. When a crate is provided, most puppies or dogs choose to use the crate. If you have more than one dog, it is not unusual to find two or three Weimaraners snuggled together. If your household tends to be a noisy, boisterous one, then your dogs need a crate, which acts as a refuge providing seclusion, privacy, and escape from stress.
Crates are very useful in preventing destructive chewing when the puppy or dog cannot be supervised and at night. Crate training your puppy or dog can be comforting when your dog is forced to spend the night at a veterinary clinic. Crates are also very useful when transporting your dog in your vehicle. Not only is your dog confined when the vehicle is moving, your dog is protected in the event of an accident. Finally, crates prove very useful when staying in hotels or other strange environments. The dog feels secure in it's home and you can feel secure that you won't return to a destroyed hotel room!
Crates, however, can be abused. A good rule of thumb is that no dog should be confined to a crate more than 9 hours per day. If your puppy is crated all day, it should be let loose all night!
Crates come in many different sizes and styles. Fiberglass and extruded plastic crates offer light weight and easy cleanability. Metal crates are somewhat heavier but are often sturdier and nicer to look at. Note that airlines prefer plastic or fiberglass crates because of their weight and security.
When purchasing a crate, make sure that the dog has room to turn around, that it will fit in your automobile (if you plan on using the crate for transporting your dog) and place blankets and towels in the bottom of the crate. Remember, this is your companion's home and it should be as inviting and comfortable as possible.
MORE TO COME LATER!
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