Confusion

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I'm dealing with a adolescent Weimaraner. Because of my health and because of the circumstances I was not able to socialize or train him the best when he was a pup I've only had him for 6 months but he's a year and 2 months. At the moment I am trying to dealing with his prey drive, his not wanting to follow commands he's acting very depressed he'll take and not want to play just lay there and look at you like but he like he lost his best friend he when he gets outside if he gets off late he will not come back to me and also I don't understand it but every time my husband comes home or comes in the room with us he like loses his fucking mind barking growling jumping but then wants to be my husband's best friend the next minute. Don't want to cause undo anxiety or stressing the dog also He's supposed to be a service dog but he seems to shy away from me along with the fact like I don't know what type of routine is best for a weimaraner of this age if you're not able to always get outside to run them 

 

[Adrienne]

Hi there, so sorry for the late reply. 

It sounds like you and your young Weimaraner are going through a tough time. You’re not alone considering the fact that Weimaraner are high-energy, intelligent dogs who require significant socialization, structure, and training, and it can be overwhelming if life circumstances made that difficult early on.

Since you describe your dog as “depressed” (lying around, looking sad, not wanting to engage), the very first step is a veterinary exam. Pain, illness, or hormonal issues can look like depression, resistance to training, or even irritability. So yes, a vet exam is in order to rule out physical causes before assuming it’s strictly behavioral.

Chasing and ignoring recall is very common in adolescent sporting breeds. These behaviors are self-reinforcing (they feel good to the dog). In these cases, management is essential: long-line leash, secure fencing, no off-leash time until his recall is reliable. Recall training should always be positive, rewarding with high-value treats, toys, or play. Never punish for not coming back, it will make avoidance worse. It can also very well be that he is very anxious and over threshold which makes it difficult for him to focus on you. 

The barking, growling, and then immediate friendliness when your husband appears could be excitement mixed with uncertainty. This often happens in under-socialized adolescent dogs. Have your husband ignore the dog at entrances, no eye contact, no talking, until calm behavior happens. Reward calmness with food, praise, or a gentle activity. You can keep your dog behind a baby gate during entries to prevent rehearsal of problematic behavior, until he learns to act more calmy behind the gate.  Try to pair your husband’s arrival with something good (treats tossed on the floor after asking him to sit) to change the emotional response from “over-aroused” to “predictably positive.”

if he’s avoiding you, it may be because interactions have become stressful for him (even if unintentionally). Focus on building trust with low-pressure activities: hand-feeding, gentle enrichment (snuffle mats, puzzle feeders), and short, positive training sessions (like teaching him to sit, you toss a kibble and then when he comes back to you, reward with another sit and repeat several times.) Avoid forcing closeness, just let him approach you and reward that choice.

Weimaraner require lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Also, offer predictable routines which are reassuring. 

Service dogs need stable temperaments, consistent training, and strong bonds with their handler. Given your dog’s current age, history, and behavioral struggles, it may be an uphill battle. It’s not impossible, but you may want to work with a professional for in-person guidance to evaluate whether he is a good candidate.

I hope this helps, 

Best wishes and happy training!