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

[Trek420]

Any hunting or working dog will need a serious commitment for training and exercise from it's owner. Otherwise they can become neurotic and destructive.

this goes for any dog I think. I've read a saying something like "All dogs need a job. If you don't give your dog a job you might not be happy with the job he or she picks"

[limewave]

The more I read everyone's input and the more I think about it . . . the more I want a dog!!!! But, I do think it's going to be best to wait 2-4 years. Being that I spend most of my time working from home, I really am an ideal candidate to care for a dog. I do a lot of hiking and biking and walking and it would be great to have a companion!

Thanks everyone

[lph]

I can barely stand to be around one friend's German Shorthairs for this reason. She has them both on Prozac, which is sad to me.

Seriously?? I have a friend who accurately jokes about "Borderline Collies". They're common as farm dogs here, but most of them are a bit.. uh, intense. I never thought anyone would actually need to give a dog Prozac.

That's a little bit sick, actually (I don't mean to criticize your friend in particular). We've bred for these traits, and now that we have them they're too much so we drug them...

But then. I like dogs, but I really am a cat person. So don't pay too much attention to my griping ;-)

[Aggie_Ama]

I didn't realize people drugged their dogs to tone down their natural behaviors until recently. I jokingly said I thought Jens (my 6 month old pup) needs Ritalin because he is so hyper he sometimes just runs in circles for several minutes. My friend said "oh yeah they can do that". Especially wrong when you get a working breed then drug them because you don't want to give them what they genetically need (a job, exercise). With Jens my husband tries to play with him every night, run him and let him use his energy. It is our fault, not Jens', that he has too much energy.

That is why I like all the suggestions about researching, looking at what kind of commitment you're taking on. Think about how often you will work the dog if you get a working breed.

[amb]

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

Yes, most absolutely need plenty of exercise but if they get it, they are awesome dogs. My Sister and BIL are on their 2nd rescued Weim. The first had a horrible jaw infection he couldn't shake. I still miss Riley and that was 2+ yrs ago! Ollie was taken in soon after. I think it really depends on the Weim....Riley was pretty darn mellow (he was 5 I think?) but he loved to get out and hike. Ollie was taken in at ~1 yo....he's pretty lazy too but also enjoys exercise and can go forever. Neither was destructive and neither was ever crated during the day while they're at work. Ollie is VERY good at counter surfing and getting in the garbage though so things must be put away. Riley never did that. Both of them were (and are) major couch hogs....they LOVE to cuddle. Riley was my Sisters shadow and I think Ollie does the same but to a lesser degree.

They're so cute and lovable but defintely need activity. If you can give them attention, they are a great option. I think several states have Weim rescue groups. The one here is Mile Hi Weim Rescue. They might link to others.

Good luck! I sometimes wish I had a dog but they I just visit hers.

[bmccasland]

Back when I was on antidepressants, my dog had lick granulomas and her vet suggested giving her verelin (herbal). I was grumbling to my sister about it, and she gently suggested that I was a mess so of course so was my dog (an Aussie shephard).

Best thing for both of us was taking up going for a walk after work. Nice long walk. I got better, and her lick granulomas cleared up, not to reoccur either. I'm a slow learner, but things do get through my thick skull.

RIP Nala, I still miss you.

[indysteel]

My friend's dogs are on drugs not because of their natural behaviors but because she and her husband have them in an environment that is not suitable for their energy level. So, they are acting out by destroying everything in sight and running off at every opportunity. Granted, it could be that they're just not well bred examples of the breed. But I am willing to assume that it's more about them being under exercised and alone all day. They have two small boys, two busy careers and a small house. The dogs are an afterthought most days.

[Chile Pepper]

The thing is, even buying a dog with certified bloodlines, being vetted out by the breeder (signing a contract etc) and all that, doesn't guarantee a perfectly healthy dog, or the temperament.

We got a golden when my son asked for that breed specifically. She's a wonderful dog in a lot of ways, but she is very aggressive with the rest of the pack (three other dogs) and somewhat aggressive with the kids. Her personality is totally golden, but she's an alpha golden. You just never know what you are going to get, even from a reputable breeder.

I would also recommend an adult dog. A puppy will be very rambunctious until it's at least two years old, and I wouldn't want to deal with that with a toddler. A young dog will play roughly, and your kid's face will be right at dog level.

[Irulan]

My friend's dogs are on drugs not because of their natural behaviors but because she and her husband have them in an environment that is not suitable for their energy level. So, they are acting out by destroying everything in sight and running off at every opportunity. Granted, it could be that they're just not well bred examples of the breed. But I am willing to assume that it's more about them being under exercised and alone all day. They have two small boys, two busy careers and a small house. The dogs are an afterthought most days.

That is so sad. But it is a very common scenario. I'm sure it's that they don't get enough attention, exercise or training. Unfortunately for some folks a dog is an accessory like a jet ski or a shrub. There are a lot of dogs in rescue groups and shelters from stories just like this where family gave them up ( thank gd) because they were "untrainable" or "uncontrollable", when really all they needed was attention, firm guidance and exercise.

[indysteel]

That is so sad. But it is a very common scenario. I'm sure it's that they don't get enough attention, exercise or training. Unfortunately for some folks a dog is an accessory like a jet ski or a shrub. There are a lot of dogs in rescue groups and shelters from stories just like this where family gave them up ( thank gd) because they were "untrainable" or "uncontrollable", when really all they needed was attention, firm guidance and exercise.

One of the issues with my friend--and I think this happens a lot--is that they got the dogs a couple of years before they had kids when their lives were very different. Then they had two children and everything changed. I think a lot of young couples get a dog to test out the waters for parenting. While that doesn't always end badly, a lot of times the dog goes from being the center of attention to being largely ignored. It's sad and can lead to some unfortunate behaviors.

[Chile Pepper]

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

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.

[Aggie_Ama]

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

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.

[PamNY]

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

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.

[PamNY]

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.

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

[Becky]

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

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