To get a puppy or not get a puppy, that is the question.

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

In a dog pack, there has to be an Alpha. If the human doesn't take that role, the dog will.

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Thanks, but don't worry. We are quite competent at managing our dogs. My point was not that I couldn't control my dog (I can), but that there is variation of temperament within breeds. Even the nicest breeds can have undesirable characteristics.

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Originally Posted by amb

I feel like Weim's are getting a bit of a bad rap in some of these posts....

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I think Weim's are an amazing breed, intelligent, beautiful and athletic. BUT the OP has two small children and my impression is would be a new dog owner. I have a couple friends with Weims that are both single and struggle to keep up with their dogs needs. It is important with any breed to understand their needs and make sure they fit with your life. I love almost every dog breed I see but I don't think a sporting breed would fit me. Sure they would love to be where I am (mountain biking, hiking, camping) but I do like to sit on the couch a lot too. And some of our mountain bike races do not allow dogs on site, it wouldn't be fair if I went away to play for a weekend without my pup. Luckily my schnauzers go stay with my parents and their schnauzer and everyone loves it. We do the same for my parents.

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Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama

I didn't realize people drugged their dogs to tone down their natural behaviors until recently. .

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There are times when drugs are appropriate. The popular cliche/stereotype being discussed here is not the only situation -- drugs might be appropriately prescribed after evaluation by a veterinary behaviorist -- conditions similar to OCD are an example, and sometimes separation anxiety.

The idea that drugs are "instead of" training or behavior modification isn't necessarily true. A dog might benefit from both, in the same way that humans might benefit from both psychotherapy and drugs.

I'm sure some people use drugs with dogs for the wrong reasons, but it's not true of everyone.

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Affection should only be given when the dog is being calm and submissive. Never when the dog is excited, anxious, scared, nervous etc... or you will be reinforcing that state in the dog.

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Not everyone agrees with that. Dr. Patricia McConnell, for one, has another point of view.

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Originally Posted by PamNY

Not everyone agrees with that. Dr. Patricia McConnell, for one, has another point of view.

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QFT. As I recall, Suzanne Clothier has a similar viewpoint in Bones Would Rain From The Sky.