Bringing Home the Pup

This heading sparks various lines of thought--what you need, the trip home, preparing for the arrival and getting them home at last. Getting the right pup for you and your lifestyle is important. It has been said many times (sometimes it is yelled (from the rooftop) it seems) that this is not the breed for everyone. This is true. If it were not so many would not end up in rescue. Nevertheless, for others, nothing else (besides the Weimaraner) will do.
Cliff and Shela have provided several pages on this website to help prepare for the event. They are invested in your success. That being said, it takes a healthy dose of knack and a barrel load of follow through to pull off the desired result. Getting off to the best possible start is imperative.


The OwyheeStar pup is set up for success. They are ready to train--crate train, to housebreak, and for you to them leash friendly.  It is not automatic at all; however, if you build on the pup's readiness things can go well. Your follow through and step by step success sets the right tone. It doesn't mean you will master everything that you feel needs to be accomplished in a few months, or even in the first year. The Weimaraner will at some point in time most likely be oppositional and express a lot of teenage flakiness. When this happens, it is best to avoid disillusionment and frustration. They are counterproductive. Stay in a positive and matter of fact mode yourself. Return or move to something (and activity) where you can achieve a positive outcome. In fact, Cliff suggests that you always end (each training session) by doing a no-fail exercise. The one they love and will perform without fault. The activity of choice might be a couple of short retrieves or a sit, etc. The last thing you do together should be slam dunk per say.
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It is about the journey and what you can become together. 


Don't limit your possibility by setting timelines or expectations. Goals are good; however, letting the process unfold is the wise approach. No one can be sure where the path will lead or what the end result will look like. 

7 steps to Success

1. 7 STEPS TO SUCCESS
   1. Be committed — Commitment to the process is primary. Training your pup will take time. Just when you think you are done the pup will hit a stage that will throw you for a loop. Throughout the first two years, there are many of these ups-and-downs. Training can be going along well and without seemingly any cause the process can come to a standstill or suddenly regress. Please take this in stride because it is nothing personal. Often the first regressive occurrence occurs directly after a huge success. When this first set-back happens we say the honeymoon period is over. Don’t get frustrated, you need to simply return to the basics. Go back to something that will yield a success—for example, the retrieve. Keep the same positive, upbeat, cool demeanor. Keep the same level of commitment to see things through to the end. As Rick Smith often says, “It takes as long as it takes.”  It doesn’t matter what you are trying to achieve, simply commit to teaching them in a step-by-step approach. 
   2. Keep your eye on the puppy at all times for the first 2-3 weeks at least–or until you have the housebreaking part accomplished. Use a crate, bag, or soft-side crate to confine the pup when you cannot be on top of things. The crate should not be too large. If it is more than they need they may select one end for a potty area. Allowing your pup unearned freedom means allowing accidents which can soon turn into habitual patterns.
   3. Be consistent–Do the same thing all the time. For example, the pup wakes up and stirs. Pick them up and carry them directly out to the area where you want them to potty. Each time you see them circling or rousing from a nap go to the potty area. (Soon they will be running to the door and go out on their own!) If you use the a bell at the door (ringing it each time you take them to the yard), soon they will be ringing the bells to go out on their own. Hang them low enough for them to reach them though.
   4. Keep it simple — Although your pup can learn amazing things it is best to do a few simple things. Then build upon those experiences or successes. The process will unfold naturally if you allow it to do so; start with getting them to come. Although they all follow and come to us it is different once they start to mature. Do the hallway retrieving exercise (5-7 retrieves each night). By using a hallway (with adjoining doors closed) there is nowhere for them to escape with the toy, ball, or dummy. Although some people offer a treat when they bring the item to hand it is not necessary. Lavish them with your attention and tons of praise. Keep the activity a highlight of the day—make it an event! Also, this is important because bringing things back is far superior to a game of keep away. This teaches many skills or habits you want to encourage. If you don’t hunt you might think this is not important, but nothing could be further from the truth. Be sure to ingrain the love of the retrieve.
   5. Keep it fun — Weimaraners are very intelligent and learn quickly. A trainer might tell you to work for an hour and even a half hour doing one exercise every night, but we suggest ten-fifteen minutes. Do it for ten minutes or until they have the idea, and then do something fun. This works for us!  If your Weim pup loses interest in the activity, you lose ground in the training process.
   6. Remember it is about your relationship — No matter what you are doing it is important to remember that Weims are all about relationship. If they get their feelings hurt, things can go sour quickly. Your bonding experience is vital to the success of this relationship. Take time to think and see things from their perspective. You are the center of their world. They not only want to control you, but they want to own you. Weimaraners are the ultimate Velcro dog and must be taught how to stay alone. Relationship is a double-edged sword. They need a lot of time, attention, and affection. They also need to learn to be without you for periods of time. We recommend starting this process very early or they will come to expect you will be there 24 X 7. Separation anxiety can be a huge issue in this breed. Teaching them to be able to stay alone goes a long way towards thwarting the tendency to foster severe separation anxiety.
   7. Be patient — Again, we love what Rick and Ronnie Smith (developers of the Huntsmith Puppy Development method of training) say regarding training exercises. They say, “It takes as long as it takes.” Keep this statement and thought written on your heart. When you attempt teach your pup a new skill, make sure it is a learn-able task. Then plan enough time to accomplish the task. If you are feeling stressed or disenchanted do not try to train your Weimaraner. Remember this is a journey and what you can become together remains to be discovered.