plz may I ask ..... for pictures inc ages of your

[kelandmitzi]

weim/pups .....
My partner is sure that Mitzi is growing way to fast for her age so the poor thing needs some reasurance that Mitzi is growing very normal ........




This is the most recent picture I have of Mitzi : born 4th May 2007

[greyghost]

Hard to tell from that pic and they are all different. Go by eye rather than weight. You should be able to feel her ribs like pencils in a case and maybe slightly see the last two. There is a disorder where they can grow too fast which is why they have puppy feed for 18 months (normally) and 4 meals a day cutting down to 3 a day sometime soon, can't remember when.

What are you feeding her?

Some guidelines for you as a newbee......

Exercise is not high on the agenda at this age. Rule of thumb is 5 mins on lead exercise for every month of their life. This is so you don't walk the hind legs off them and make them lame, cos they would just keep on going to please you. However, off lead in the garden they can have unlimited play as they know when they have had enough and can rest.

No jumping great heights. Some breeders say no steps at all as they can knock their shoulders out of joint and cause joint problems later. That is one reason why agility is not started til later with them. They can, of course, do little tiny hurdles before they are one (again forget what age, somebody will come on and advise I am sure.)

Their bones do not fuse properly until around 15 - 18 months old and that is when you can step up the exercise and jumps.

Stair gates are advised.

Mental exercise is a must and early obedience training. Have you heard of clicker training. It wears them out as much as a long walk.

Hey, who is the little cutie next to the pooch?

[Cheryl]

(Also) Shamelessly proud here ;D

Misty 4 years, Slade 3 years and both Hypothyroid, Bully is 2 yrs (dr appt for full thyroid panel Fri pm), Boris is 9 months old on the 21st of this month:)

groups.msn.com/Weimaraners/mistyrosedexterampslade.msnw?Page=1

Welcome, and who are in your wei pup's pedigree? What are you feeding? Who was her breeder?

[kelandmitzi]

Hiya Lesley , have been training Mitzi since she was just 6 weeks old , she will sit ,paw & lie & i use my clicking/flicking of fingers & the odd treat ....

was very interested to read about the amount of walk time !! we got told to walk till she had enough & if Mitzi is anything to go by well she will walk forever .... but will only run for 5 mins or so b4 she lie`s down and refuses to do anymore.

Lucky for us having a tiny tot and stair gates !! Mitzi wants to be where ever the kids are and the stairs is always in use BUT NOT FOR Mitzi !!

after searching the net & double checkng her weight I am sure she is dong well and not any bigger than she should be.

Thanks again x

[weima]

kelandmitzi said:

, have been training Mitzi since she was just 6 weeks old ,

So you bred her then if you have had her since 6 weeks old?

[kelandmitzi]

sorry should have said 8

[greyghost]

Pleased to hear your mind has been put at ease. They are a worry. Don't be worried about asking any questions. We have all been there and I can remember what it is like having your very first pup. I liken it to a new mother with her first baby.....

Clicker training is nothing to do with fingers. Here are some threads for you to look at. It is a very precise way of training but I have to say we do it for fun and tricks. It helps to build up a relationship with your dog as well as wearing them out mentally.

www.learningaboutdogs.com/pdfs/getting_started.pdf

www.learningaboutdogs.com/

www.wagntrain.com/OC/GetStarted.htm

Enjoy ;D

[kelandmitzi]

Hi Greayghost , I read that even using a pen for clicker training works but I dodnt have a pen to hand and fingers seems so much nearer .... I have since got myself a clicker for training and have just started using it to reward with a treat & seems after 2 sessions she is getting the idea ...

[greyghost]

Yes, they pick it up very quickly. Remember a couple of rules though.

1. Don't point it at her like a remote control;
2. If she gets too annimated or barking just quietly put stuff away, no fuss. She will learn consequences of her actions......
3. When you start a session let her see you get the treats ready and get the clicker out, she will soon be offering you loads of behaviours.
4. You get through a lot of treats using clicker so be careful not to overfeed, build it into her daily rations.
There will be more but you can make some mistakes first lol............

[jai]

Hi kelly.. here are some pics of falko throughout his growth.
this is 4 months old

[jai]

Hi kelly again.. the pics on the banner were taken when he was between 8-10 months old. he will be 1 the 19th of sept.
jai and falko