The Owyheestar Process
~or how things work

Chasing a ball during the Owyheestar Discovery and Placement Test

About the OwyheeStar Process

How Does It Work? 

How Does It Work? The process begins with you completing the OwyheeStar Application. If you are reading this-- you have received the Website generated invite to complete the Application. Not everyone who inquires will ask for the link, and some folks will disqualify themselves in the first conversation. The Weimaraner is not for everyone. Once the application process is complete, and the Nielsens have received a deposit, your name is entered on the Wait List.

Whew-A severe case of the Puppy Frenzy Fever often accompanies news of the Application Approval. There is no getting around the craziness. Knowing when the future pup will be born, creates a feeling of urgency, on both sides of the fence. Nonetheless, the Wait List rarely comes with a clearly defined timeline. Click Here to read more on that topic. 

So, then what is the Big Deal about this OwyheeStar Wait List? (We hope you checked out the above link).Quite possibly the most untalked about Wait List benefit is that it helps the Nielsens plan future litters. Knowing what people want ahead of time allows OwyheeStar to plan accordingly. 

The Essential Deposit

The Nielsens don't enjoy talking about or asking for money; however, it is impossible to continue this service without it. Deposits were discussed in detail on the Wait List Info Page, but maybe it bears repeating here. 

Once you receive your Application Approval, then they require a deposit. The traditional smooth coats Weimaraner Wait List Deposit is $ 50. For the Longhairs, it is $100. This deposit locks in a place on the list. 

The full Puppy Deposit is required to reserve a puppy once a potential puppy is born (the exact pup to be determined at the six-week Discovery and Placement Test). The Puppy Deposit is respectively $150 (for the smooth coats) and $250 (for the Longhair). Yes, the Wait List Deposit counts toward the Puppy Deposit. 

Once the Pups Arrive

OwyheeStar will post a birth announcement. If you in line to get a puppy, you will receive a private Email with the appropriate links. Between week one and week five, Shela will post a photo update. Each puppy will have new photos. After the first five weeks, the updates are different (associated with the current activities) — for example, the Discovery and Placement Test, A Puppy Swim, or an Adventure. 

On or shortly after the six-week birthday several things happen--the two big things are:

The Veterinary Wellness Exam
The Discovery and Placement Test 

What do we mean by the Discovery and Placement Test? Cliff and Shela have borrowed from other professional's Temperament Test as well as came up with some unique exercises of their own. Each pup participates alone--not something they have done before. We record our findings--this is not a pass or fail situation. It is a fact-finding mission. 

Armed with our findings, we then work through the matching process to meet the client's criteria as well as the best possible place for a pup. Ultimately, this process works. We instituted the process more than fifteen years ago. Since then the placement failure rate dropped drastically enough to make OwyheeStar become dogged (sorry about the pun) stuck on this method.

About the discovery and placement test
     ~what if I want to pick the puppy
                           Questions and answers.......

Can I travel there and pick a Puppy?

You picking, is not an OwyheeStar option.  More than fifteen years ago, OwyheeStar stopped allowing picks. The reasons for the change were multifaceted; however, rooted in ensuring the pup's success. 

Picture this--everyone believes the right pup picks them. That same pup would pick anyone. For some people this works, but for many this was a disaster. The Weimaraner by nature doesn't warm up to visitors, or act totally natural around visitors. There are exceptions, but for the most part, they are not the same pup with people they do not know. The most out-going pup that picks you, is likely going to be more of a challenge. The laid-back pup could be a ball of fire later on. What seems to be, often is not. 


The Discovery and Placement Test

The test is conducted by Cliff and Shela. It cannot happen prior to the six-week birthday, because the pups are too immature. Even a day's delay can be important to the findings--pups mature a lot each day. The litter must be mature enough to make discovery. There are several exercises for each pup, and while Cliff walks the pup through each one, Shela takes notes (and tries to capture photos/and sometimes video clips). 

There is always a pocket of brilliance so to speak. For example, one pup might be a natural pointer, and another might have their nose to the ground. Some retrieve to hand. Overall, the Nielsens assess confidence, train-ability, attention-span, ability to follow, responding to their voice, chasing, and investigation skills. The notes are compiled to give a glimpse into the pup's potential. 



What if I don't like the choice? 

The deposit is non-refundable if you walk away. However, OwyheeStar is as invested in you getting the right pup as you are--their reputation rests in your satisfaction.

They will gladly transfer you (and your deposit) to a future litter. In fact, if they felt that they didn't have a pup that was a good match, they would rather ask you to wait, than to have you unhappy. 

Departures, communication, and whatnot....

OwyheeStar values the relationship they have begun with you. That being said, there are only so many hours in a day. They make every effort to answer each email in a timely manner. However, it is impossible to type out the detailed answers in reply to everyone's long list. Most every question will be answered in the password-protected client information website. That will be available once they have a full $ 100 Deposit (the basic puppy deposit is $ 150).

The Discovery and Placement Test results take a while to compile; it could take Shela 48 hours to get to everyone on the list. Cliff and Shela will work hard to get through the process ASAP, and to get the notifications made as ASAP. Regardless, of the effort invested, there are no shortcuts.

Puppies must be at least 49 days (7-weeks old) prior to departing OwyheeStar; pups normally stay until around the eight-week birthday. Pups will be up to date on shots as well as worming. The pup's tail will be docked (unless you requested it to be undocked. Any such request must be done well in advance of the whelp-date) The Longhair Weimaraner always remains undocked, because this is the worldwide standard for the Longhair Weimaraner. The pup will have their dew claws are removed. The OwyheeStar puppy is well set up for housebreaking if you follow through immediately, you should succeed in quick order.