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Post by kemmer on Jun 22, 2005 20:17:12 GMT 1
We have recently purchased a 5 month old weimaraner puppy. I absolutely love him and I feel like we have the time and energy needed to properly care for this dog. Our only concern is that some of the books and resources we have read don't recommend Weimaraners for families with small children. We have a 3 year old and a 10 month old and plan on having more children later. Are we asking for trouble here?? My wife is already talking about finding another home for him. I suppose if that is what is best for our family and our puppy, that’s what we should do, but I would like to hear what others think of the Weimaraner as a family dog. Do you think that given enough exercise, attention and training he could be a good companion for us and our children?
One more thing I should mention is that Colorado is one of the most mild mannered puppies I have ever seen and is already learning not to jump up on people, especially the kids.We have a dog run he will stay in when the children are in the yard and not directly supervised. Thanks in advance for the advise.
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Post by Alkemist on Jun 22, 2005 20:48:20 GMT 1
I suppose I'm qualified to answer this one - yippee  I have a toddler, and he adores his doggies. He has 3 Weims at the moment, 1 very frail Jack Russell terrier, and a springer spaniel at his nannies. He has been taught since we've been able to that he doesn't touch if I tell him not too, as my terrier is a biter. Obviously there are safety issues to consider, I too have a safe area for both dogs and my son. Jensen, my 4 year old Weim, loves my son. He is a clumsy dog really but he tries so hard when my son is about that we really admire him for it. We did have a few issues at first, Jensen ran at the baby, more of curiosity, so we worked really hard to integrate them together after a period of teaching the dogs that the baby was ours and under no circumstances could they touch him without being gentle. This was achieved through voice levels and tone. If your famaily want it to work and are prepared to live by rules that protect both the dog and the family, I see no issues, in fact, 3 of my best puppy homes were people with young families.  Nina and Jensen |
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Post by marjolein on Jun 23, 2005 8:57:02 GMT 1
I don't see any problems here. As long as you live by certain rules. The most important one is to always supervice dogs and kids together. I know of a story of a dog (golden retriever) who had to be put to sleep, because he had a go at one of the kids. When the dog was gone, the vet discovered a staple in his ear.
Secondly, make sure the kids don't harras the dog and make sure the dog has a place where he can go for some rest. Make sure the kids are NOT allowed in there.
Always be careful when he's eating btw.
These are some basic rules and I assume you already knew them. As long as you follow them, I see no troubles coming up!! Good luck!!
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Post by Wetdog on Jun 25, 2005 18:58:33 GMT 1
"Do you think that given enough exercise, attention and training he could be a good companion for us and our children?" Absolutely!!!! You sound like a perfect home--in that it sounds to me like you care enough to spend the time and effort needed to train and supervise properly. The problems usually arise with people who want everything for "free"--no time or effort on their part to make things work. One thing I would advice you to do, go to my website: www.mrwetdog.com/click "On Training" and then "Getting Started"---if you will do what the article tells you, I guarantee you will have a dog that will be no problem--and you'll be able to take him everywhere you want to go, it will greatly multiply your family's enjoyment.(LOL, another thing is, when you learn to train your dog as you will if you do this course, you'll also gain valuable insights into handling your children later on!--don't laugh, you'll see later) Anyway, welcome to the board, come back often and let us know how you are doing. |
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Post by luvmyweim on Jul 8, 2005 2:38:19 GMT 1
Kemmer,
I have a five year old daughter, a nine year old son and a seven month old weimaraner named Grace. I am also neighborhood/family babysitter as I am the only SAHM nearby so I constnatly have a string of children all ages running around here.
The adoration between my kids and our dog is breathtaking. She protects them like her own, she loves on them like her own, basically they are her own and she'd lay down her life for them. And I think that is because 1. The breed is the most loving, and loyal of all dogs 2. we got her into obedience almost immediatly and 3. The most important I believe is that my kids were taught to respect the dog. They may not tease, yell, or play roughly. They know that scratches are going to happen if they want to get her wound up. If she gets too rambuncious I call her off and they are too walk away immediatly. They attended obedience with us and now can control Grace almost as well as I can. My five year old may be better at it. It's marvelous to watch.
Yes, Yes, Yes you can make this work. I swear with alot of work in a short period of time and then basic maintenence after that you will have the most rewarding relationship you can imagine with an animal. We love Grace so much we are in the middle of adopting a second weim. We should be able to bring her home sometime next week.
Please don't misunderstand. I am not promising you perfection. But I can tell you that you will see marked improvement quickly. I just can't stress how rewarding it can be to be owned by these animals. There will be scrathes across limbs and occasionally a face, and the dog will get thier toes squished on accident. But they'll work out a great relationship if given a chance.
Best of Luck!
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Post by kemmer on Jul 21, 2005 16:25:40 GMT 1
Thanks for all the input! Colorado is doing well and the kids love him. He can still get a little wound up around the kids, but when he does I take him to another part of the yard and get him calmed down. Thanks for the encouragement!
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Post by moonbeam on Jul 23, 2005 22:37:00 GMT 1
Sounds like you're doing alright! We have time out when the dogs or my grandson get over excited.
Mariy
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Post by srxy on Jul 30, 2005 11:11:36 GMT 1
my parents got our 1st weim the same year I was born. we had zero problems. I grew up to love the dog for it's patience and willingness to play. He's the reason I've just got my pups now finally...the only reason against wiems and little (and I stress little) children is because they are a big boisterous breed. they are not naturally agressive like other breeds (but they can b made agressive with incorrect training and discipline). Our 1st weim (freddie after the singer from queen) used to tolerate all the tormenting we dished out as little kids (ie hang on ears, wrestling matches, pretend horse riding..god we were terrors!!!) and he didn't bite us once..he'd growlif we were pushing it and we were trained by my folks to understand what that means. I think the most important thing is to train your KIDS!!!!  |
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Post by alex on Aug 25, 2005 16:53:52 GMT 1
It's also vital to have both the family's children and other children from the neighborhood be able to do some obedience w/your dog. Whenever we're out walking in our town ---- and we do a big circuit, to include a river and/or a lake swim and two of the nearby parks ----- we make a point of visiting w/as many families as are interested in petting Freida. When new children have been introduced and been told how to get her attention and give her commands, then we do a few minutes of obedience. She's been excellent w/everyone. The other thing is practicing obedience in the home w/your own kids and strange kids. Once a dog is good w/adults taking away food and play articles, the children should learn to do it under supervision. She's still very doggy when we meet new dogs and their owners.....Onwards and hopefully, not UPWARDS!!!!
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Post by silvestre on Oct 3, 2005 20:12:31 GMT 1
Hi Kemmer
I have 2 children who are 9 and 13. We dont have a problem with our 7 Weimaraners. I had babies with Weims, and still had no problems. They love the children, and want to play with them. In fact every day at 4 my sons friends come in to play and the latest game is playing with my stud dog Woody, his nature is fantastic, and he adores children. Dont be scared off by one or two that have heard of a bad experience. All breeds of dog you can find horror stories.
Rachel
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Post by Speeds on Oct 4, 2005 21:41:56 GMT 1
I too have two weims, one a rescue and a 4.5 year old son.
Today we went out with a friend, her 4.5 year old son, another child aged 3.5 plus my son and the two weims.
We had a fab time, especially when the dogs were doing the adventure playground stuff with the kids
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Post by Wetdog on Oct 19, 2005 10:47:34 GMT 1
Sounds like maybe dogs AND kids are ready for agility training!
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Post by Speeds on Oct 19, 2005 11:17:59 GMT 1
Sounds like maybe dogs AND kids are ready for agility training! Youngest weim is doing agility - rescue too lazy although I might try her soon. My son is just that bit too young to join in yet although he is very involved with walking and feeding the dogs. |
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Post by complexmom on Dec 2, 2005 7:54:46 GMT 1
I just wanted to add that Penny Lane is very gentle with my stepgrandson when he was a year old - not too interested in him but tolerant and friendly when he initiated it. With the exception of her owner, my 22 year old disabled son for whom she is service dog, she prefers little girls about 8 to 10 years old. She also puts up with the rest of us but she really loves to be with little girls.
Peggy Lou
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Post by yulia on Jan 16, 2006 13:37:33 GMT 1
Has anyone had experience of having a dog first and then babies? Can a dog get jealous that she is not the only 'child' anymore and what to do with that?
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Post by weimgirl on Jan 16, 2006 21:31:50 GMT 1
We have had excellent experiences with all of our weims with kids. Our first "Shady" was 2 when we had our daughter, after Rachel was born and my husband visited the hospital he brought home a blanket that the baby had been wrapped in and let Shady smell it and laid it by her bed. As soon as we got home I greeted Shady and as she settled down let her sniff the new baby and always let her be involved in feeding, changing, laid on the bed with us etc, didn't lock her out and made efforts to include her. It paid off BIg time Shady thought that baby and the next were her's and when they grew bigger and were outside together in the yard, if someone Shady thought was a stranger came into the gate Shady would herd the kids and ALWAYS stayed between the kids and the stranger. Drove the kids crazy, because they may have known the person, but Shady did not. lol Whatever you do don't get a Weim and then give it up because you have a baby that is now going to replace your "dog baby" and Understand that it takes devotion and time to both, which means more work. A lot of Weims in our rescue come in from homes that just had a new baby so don't have time for dog baby, very very sad!!! Good Luck Weimgirl
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Post by yulia on Jan 17, 2006 5:26:12 GMT 1
Thanks for your reply, Weimgirl! Not that we are already expecting a baby  just was curious how to deal with the problem if it ever comes to this point, and of course we would not give up a dog for a baby, we plan on having both! I have some experience of dealing with babies and dogs - my sister has two sons and two alabai dogs.. Also, I had a dog before, a beautiful German Sherpherd (well, actually it was a local version of GS, but it was the most clever dog I've seen) |
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Post by Wetdog on Jan 17, 2006 23:59:07 GMT 1
Yulia---since I also have German Shepherd Dogs, you statement of "the local version" caught my interest.
My curiousity is up now---where are you and what exactly is the local version of the GSD there?
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Post by yulia on Jan 18, 2006 5:07:59 GMT 1
Oh I forgot to say I'm from Kazakhstan, one of the ex-USSR republics. I don't know what this breed is called in English, but it is something like Eastern-European Shepherd. Here is the link to a russian website with some pictures ovcharka.by.ru/ but I'm sure you've heard of this breed. "Local version" was actually a joke because I don't think my dog was pure-bred. But she looked like a shepherd |
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