Help me love our new dog

[liberal_chick]

My MIL rescued a dog (a weimaraner, about 3 years old) this winter that had been abused. He was starved, about 50 pounds at the time she got him, and had been used as pit bull bait. *cry*

She kept him and got his food issues worked out and just raved and raved about what a great dog he is. We were looking for a new dog as we had one pass away last summer, so dh committed to taking him on. I did not want him and I know that is part of my hang up.

This dog drives me nuts. He digs in the trash at any opportunity (we bought a can with a lid a few weeks ago), he poops in the garage (we have a dog door that goes from the house to the garage and another that goes from the garage to the fenced backyard), and follows me around like a freaking shadow (I've tripped over him several times, breaking 3 dishes in the process). Not to mention he FREQUENTLY wakes the baby up barking at, gosh, I don't know what, dust? He hates storms and barks anytime there is thunder. And when he starts barking, our other dog starts barking. *rips out hair*

Not to mention dh just called and said he somehow got out of the fence. Some allstate agent down the street has him locked up in her office. I'm not dressed, I have my hair in a towel, neither of the boys are dressed, and the baby is actually taking a decent nap for once.

Dh loves this dog, which is why I tolerate him, but he doesn't actually have to care for the dog. I'M the one cleaning up trash, putting the baby back to sleep, and, in a minute, am going to schlep down the street to pick him up. I am just NOT into this dog, but I want to be.

What do we need to do? Obedience classes? Would they help? I don't have the time and energy to work with this dog, but dh does and I'm sure he's willing.

[Watershippy]

Is the dog getting enough exercise? I have a Viszla, a breed is closely related to Weimaraners, and on the days I don't get her out running she follows me around, digs in the trash, barks at everything, tries to escape... But on the mornings that I can get her 1 hr of running around exercise, she is content to spend the rest of the day sitting nicely on the couch.

I have no idea about the pooping thing. You're on your own there!

Obedience classes certainly wouldn't hurt, but I'd suggest your DH (since he has the time) take the dog out every day jogging or biking (you can get one of these), in the morning if possible, so the dog spends the rest of the day tired. Walks on the leash never do any good with mine. An off leash park might work, but I'd be nervous about putting an abused dog in that kind of situation.

[I~love~pie]

I remember VS did a show on this breed of dogs last season. Your dogs sounds just like the ones in the show. I think it all boiled down to exercise (and more training) but definatly exercise.

I do know my dog (black lab) does stuff like that if she does not get her walks.
If he was abused most of his life I doubt he has gotten much training. The bike thing sounds great, but I would also try to get at least 1 class in

[rainsmom]

another vote for exercise here.

we had a similar dog, maybe not as bad, that had come from a home of being neglected.

Exercise in the morning.....Id have your dh do it b4 work

and in the evening....... ditto above

just to tire him out. youll see a difference in him, promise

[GearGirl]

Gromit does some of these things if he isn't exercised first thing in the morning. He is actually pretty mellow for a puppy, but if I even delay the morning walk he is an absolute nightmare. He follows me, jumps at my clothes, takes everything away from the baby.... If I get a nice walk in, probably at least 30 minutes, he is really good. The yard is always accessible, but it doesn't count at all as far as his exercise. It was an adjustment because our other dog is lazy and easy, and we would be able to get away with almost no exercise, but now that I am in the habit of getting out with Gromit at least twice a day for long walks and once for a short walk or romp at the dog park I find that I really enjoy it.

[greenmagick]

Everybody else has pretty much said it, but exercise and training are key

Also, as far as the pooping....has he been trained to not go in the garage? He very well may have been trained to potty on concrete (which I am assuming the garage is) and so he is doing what he knows. I would say treat that like you would housebreaking a puppy, no unsupervised access to the garage until he learns its not the place to go.

[mamallama]

I love dogs--most of them, anyway. There are dogs I just don't like. My dh had one when we started dating. She was horrid. I lived with her for 8 years and we never did see eye to eye.

I did find ways to live with her, though. Exercise was key.

I hope you can find a way to make it work with him--but really, it's ok if you never *love* him, y/k?

[liberal_chick]

Exercise is certainly something we can do. Like another PP, we have one dog who is just so easy, throwing a ball in the backyard for a while is enough for him.

Dh took both dogs out for about 45 minutes last night. Our troublesome dog was out this morning. Dh had to actually get in the car to go find him. (I don't know if he walked him at all this morning.)

As for the garage pooping, this is something that didn't start until about a week after we got him. Up to that point, he'd been doing fine going outside. I'll try to keep garage access restricted.

[Shera971]

Exercise is definitely important but stimulating the dog's mind is also important. Spending a little time each day (15-20 minutes) learning a new "trick" might also help. Whether its shake a paw, jump over an elevated stick or find the hidden item can all be exciting to the dog. In our house my dog will play hide and seek with my son. My son will hide and I give the command "find him" and the dog goes crazy trying to find him. As soon as the dog finds my son, DS gives him a cookie and it starts all over again. After about 5 or 6 'hides' the game ends and my dog is usually content for a good long while.

[foreverinbluejeans]

I am a cat person. When my kids were young a lady from the pound that I met at a health fair told me about this beautiful brown Wiemerimer (did I spell it right) that was a great dog. So I go look at the dog and decide to take home the big puppy. They had to put him in the car, I didn't know how to get him in. I should have written a book like the Marley book.

W dogs tend to be one person dogs. They will follow you around and wait by the door for you to get home. We put a yard sale love seat by the door for comfortable waiting. They chew stuff. They escape and will find mud and roll in it even if it hasn't rained in 2 months. Don't worry, they will come home when they feel like it. They LOVE their home.

The dog catcher may start to recognize your dog but probably won't ever catch your dog. When you go to catch your dog he will think it is a game. You get close and he runs off.

Once you get to know and love your W they can be your best friend. I was single and my dog slept with me. They like to watch what you like to watch on TV. They love car rides. You can get them to walk nicely on the leash most of the time. You can take them places and they let people fuss over them and pet them.

Now that I have had a 110 W I can handle any dog!

[Conifer]

I feel for you. I wrote a post about 2 weeks ago "Me or the dog" about our Weimeriner! He was a rescue that was starved and neglected. He too is about 3 years old.

I bought a "gentle leader" after a recommendation in response to my post and I have to say that the exercise is helping a bit. I am also intensely working with this dog. I had been just tolerating him and going insane! I have been carrying treats in my pocket and making him back away from doorways so that I can go through. I am also trying to teach him to "go to his bed" when I need my space. He is just so in my face all the time....but I am trying. I'm 23 weeks pg at the moment and I have to make this situation better before the baby is born.

Good luck

[blizzard_babe]

My sister has two Weimars and one is your dog to a T. Surprisingly, the calm, self-assured one was a half-starved rescue... the "special needs" dog is one who's been well-loved and fed all her life! She's also an escape artist... she can open doors. Exercise (mental and physical) has helped, consistency in routine has helped, obedience classes have helped... but she's still a special little girl. Much more tolerable (doesn't try to chase traffic cones while driving by them on the highway, accepts some new people with a great deal of effort), but still a special little girl. She is a wonderful, wonderful dog, but just like some kids are high-needs...