About Weims:New Weimaraner Checklist
The Essentials You Need to Have
This list details some of the essentials you should have before bringing your new companion home, whether a puppy, or an adult rescue dog. There may be additional supplies needed, depending on each individual dog, but this should get you started. If you’d like a printable version to take to the store with you, please, click here.
You should have all of these items ready BEFORE bringing your dog home.
- A veterinarian. Please talk with several, and make sure that they are aware of health issues that affect weimaraners and are willing to follow the WCA vaccination recommendations. Click here for the WCA’s list of health issues for weimaraners and their vaccine policy (click on “Health Issues” when you enter the site).
- Food and water bowls. Please select a nonskid, non-breakable, non-chewable material for these containers. Stainless Steel and hard plastic with rubber or other nonskid bottoms are good, ceramic and porcelain are not. If bringing home an adult dog, you may want to consider a raised stand for the bowls to ease strain on the dog’s neck and minimize air gulped in while eating. **New research suggests that raised bowls may increase the likelihood of your dog developing bloat. Please talk with your veterinarian before making the decision to raise or not raise you dog’s food dish.
- A high-quality dog food. Try to find something with meat or fish as the primary ingredient. These foods are more expensive than those with a primary ingredient of rice or corn, but are worth it. Your dog will eat less of the higher quality food. Do some serious research on the labels of the brands you are considering to make sure it will suit your dog’s nutritional needs.
- A sturdy crate. Crate training is one of the best ways to make your dog feel secure while you’re not home. It helps in housebreaking new dogs, and gives them a place where they feel safe and secure. It becomes their security blanket. Your crate should be large enough for the dog to stand up comfortably, but not so large that he can sleep in one area and eliminate waste in another. You may want one crate for during the day, and a travel crate for the dog to sleep in your room with you at night.
- A crate pad. A blanket or dog bed will work for this. You may not want to use this in a puppy’s crate right away, as it will be harder to clean than the bare crate floor if the puppy has an accident.
- A collar. Get a collar that will allow you to fit two fingers between the collar and the dog’s neck. If you will be showing your dog, your may need a special collar depending upon the event you are entering.
- An ID tag. This should contain the dog’s name and your phone number. You should also consider having your dog microchipped and/or tattooed, so that he is identifiable if he gets lost and loses his collar. If using a tattoo, use the dog’s AKC# or your social security number. The social security number is the most recognizable of the two. A microchip works well, only if your dog is found by an animal shelter, as people in a neighborhood may not know to check for this.
- A leash. You should have a short leash, as well a 6-foot leash. The short leash gives you more control of the dog, while the 6-foot leash lets you practice distance commands such as “stay”.
- A fence or line. If you do not have a fenced-in yard, you need to have a line that you can tie between trees so that your dog can run. Electric underground fences are not recommended for Weimaraners, as they are very high strung, and will bear the shock, just to get out. Also, electric fences do not keep other dogs or animals from getting in, and do not prevent would-be dognappers from stealing your dog.
- Toys. Your dog should have several different types of toys. He should have a soft, lambs wool-type toy, a hard chew toy (such as a Nylabone), and something that will stimulate him (Kong toys are good for this, you can place food, treats, or peanut butter inside). Toys are important to keep your dog from chewing on things he shouldn’t, and receiving unnecessary scolding. Weimaraner owners should avoid toys that induce dominant behavior such as tug ropes
- Baby gates. To limit your dog’s access to areas of the house. At first, your dog should only have access to the rooms you are in, until you are sure he is comfortable with the home and can be trusted not to misbehave.
- Poop bags/pooper scooper. It is important to be a responsible dog owner. Cleaning up after your dog will keep neighborly relations on a positive note.
- Treats. Small, savory treats should be on hand for positive reinforcement while training.
- Pee-pads. These are plastic-backed absorbent pads that will help you clean up after those messes puppy is sure to make.
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