Vik - Weimaraner, Dog (5 Years old)

Oh Ria that is sounding really good - things do seem to be coming together really well for the lad. Keep up the good work - you must be shattered

Vik's had his final stitch removed this morning and been given a clean bill of health. I managed to get him on the scales and he weighs 32.65kgs, so I'm very happy with his weight, as is the vet. He said that although Vik's backbone is visible, he expects it to be less noticeable when he regains his muscle tone. He made the valid point that with a dog like Vik, with such a short, smooth coat, you are going to see every lump and bump on him. He was treated to a biscuit, which he took very gently, and his 'smile' make the vet and the assistant laugh too!

So let me recap Vik's strengths and weaknesses:

Strengths
Incredibly well house trained
Gentle with his food and treats
Good on the lead using a harness or a halti
Good off the lead, stays close and easy to get back on the lead when there are no distractions
Very undemanding and calm around the house
Extremely loyal - wants to stay close
Travels well

Weaknesses
Needs socialisation with other dogs when he is on the lead
Needs firm guidelines when people enter his 'territory'
Poor recall when he sees another dog and he is off the lead

When I look back over the past four weeks, there has definitely been a massive improvement in Vik's behaviour, which I feel is directly related to him feeling secure. I feel that most of his undesirable behaviour can be attributed to lack of confidence and fear, and not having clear guidelines. He actually responds really well to clear and reinforced direction and lots of praise. He is definitely not too old to learn.

I would expect that when he goes to his forever home there will be a period of unsettled behaviour while he finds his feet again, but I don't expect it to be as traumatic as his last four months have been. I have spoken to a number of people who have experience around Weimaraners, and have heard descriptions like highly strung, demanding, unpredictable. I had a very interesting conversation with the kennel maid at the boarding kennels where I buy my dog food. She said that she has seen a lot of Weimaraners come through the kennels in her 16 years working there, and there has been a distinct change in their temperament over the years as the breed has developed (and not for the better, sadly). She said that she has never met a Weimaraner that has been good in kennels - they have all lost weight and over the years she has noticed a sharp rise in their fear aggression to the point where they can be a problem to handle in kennels. This, of course, is only one person's observations, but I do respect what she has told me.

Would I trust this dog? Absolutely, 100 per cent, BUT in an environment where his needs are respected, he is exercised regularly, and his training is continued. This is not a dog that would thrive in a busy family. I feel that this is an adult only environment dog. He needs calm, consistent handling, and he most definitely needs to be part of your activity and day. In return, you can expect an extemely loyal companion.

Vik has special visitors coming to see him on Saturday!!

I've told him to be on his best behaviour (Vik, not the visitor! ). He's been such a good boy this week, and I have to say, as always, I am going to cry for hours when he finally goes to his forever home.

Vik has been the most challenging foster we've had, but he's been worth every minute of our time, because he has truly blossomed into such a wonderful lad.
I haven't told his prospective visitors that I demand access rights and regular updates .

Paws crossed everyone ....

Absolutely everything crossed here..... he really will make someone a wonderful companion.... gorgeous dog, you have worked wonders with him Ria.

I hope all goes well at the weekend, come one Vik we know you are handsome, now put on all that charm that we love. I know your FM will but she will get over it so Go for it Vik every thing is crossed

Sadly, following full and frank discussion with Vik's visitors, it was agreed that, as the only real 'history' we have of Vik is his time in foster, which has not included any time exposed to a busy household with children, it would be too great a risk to take to place Vik in an untested environment, especially as there would be a very young child visiting once a week for the day. Despite Vik being on his best behaviour, we all had to agree that Vik's temperament would be best suited to a calm household. I was so sorry for Dave, who was gutted that he wouldn't be able to share his future with Vik.

All was not lost, however, as the family then went on to meet Jenson, who does have a history of living with children, at the kennels, and fingers crossed .......

Vik's tummy was quite upset this morning - we have never heard such a rumbling stomach that could be heard from one end of the house to the other! He had very bad diarrhoea this morning, but he is a lot better this evening.

He had a good afternoon promoting the rescue in Ludlow again. He is definitely a crowd pleaser, being such a handsome boy, and was extremely well behaved, except for an altercation with a collie that he definitely didn't like outside the shop. I blame the collie, because Leon had exactly the same contempt for it! At one point, the poor collie must have had a complex, as both dogs were barking at him so loudly that he was getting GBH of the lugholes.

After handing out my leaflets, we then came home with Jules and Ace and Leon, and let the boys have a good run round the garden. Phoebe was the perfect hostess - within five minutes she had escaped under the fence and buggered off for an hour to run round the surrounding fields in search of rabbits.

What an eventful 12 hours!!

Last night, I had to shoot over to mum's, so I left Phil in charge of the dogs. About 30 minutes later, I get a call on my mobile. "How much was left in the butter pack on the worktop?" Yes, you've guessed it, Vik had helped himself to a bumper pack of Utterly Butterly! I very much doubt that he was a gentleman and shared it with Phoebe. When I got home later, he was looking a bit bashful, and kindly did a massive burp right in my face, and I can tell you, there's dog breath, and then there's utterly butterly dog breath. We could bottle it and win the war in Afghanistan, it was that bad.

He barfed all over the garden and asked to go out numerous times in the evening (better out than in!).Later, when we went up to bed, he followed us up and plonked himself on the bed, with his stomach rumbling. He was soon shoo'd off and slept on the bedroom floor, but it was eerie in the night, hearing this stomach rumbling and his groaning!

This morning he was right as rain, but I didn't bother to go and inspect his number 2 in the bottom of the garden! I have to say, it probably slid out a treat

On our walk this morning, he was bouncing around. I happened to mention how shiny his coat was, and quick as a flash, Phil retorted, "That'll be the buttery sheen!"

We are privileged to have the most beautiful countryside where we live. We see so much wildlife on our morning walk, and the golf course at Cadmore is stunning in the early morning. The lake is full of youngsters, and we always see buzzards ever hopeful, hanging around. This morning, we saw a buzzard take off right in our path, then another one circling just behind us, very low. The next thing we see is Vik, trotting across the fairway with something hanging from his mouth - a newly killed (by the buzzards, not Vik) rabbit, with it's head half ripped off, and entrails hanging down. Vik was so proud of his new 'toy' and for the next mile couldn't be persuaded to drop it. We finally managed to get it off him when we got to the stile where he has to go under the fence. It was a real battle for him to carry on the walk without his catch of the day, and by the time we got home we were fifteen minutes late. I inspected his ears for the dreaded rabbit fleas, but he seemed clear.

So, I think we can add retriever to his repertoire, but he's pretty crap at handing the booty over. He's a bit the same with his tennis ball - he brings it to show you, but then carries on circling around you and you have to fight him for it. He does try to eat the treat you are trying to entice him with to give the ball over, but it's difficult getting it past the ball in his mouth!

So now he is flat out at my feet, snoring, burping, farting and groaning. I feel like I'm in a rotten egg gas chamber. He's happy as Larry, wondering what all the fuss was about!

Happy Fridays!

I used to love the way Vik would take his treats.....he would almost smile...i always felt from viks sad expression that he was trying to say...Help me....im lost...i never had any problems with vik at all...he always seemed respectful....after all i was the treat lady..lol...but even taking him out he always seemed sweetly disposed to me and to whomever we met on our walk...whether dog or another person....Little boy lost in a big body...: ) x

Vik and I might just have a very special visit on Sunday.....

I have been in daily conversation with a lady in Ludlow since Sunday about Vik. We have discussed in great detail his problems, and I am more than confident she can deal with them, as she has worked extensively with Guide Dogs for the Blind, Dogs for the Disabled, as well as being a dog walker and dog sitter for many years. She has trained and owned very challenging dogs in the past, and has seen first hand the sorts of issues that Vik has around guarding and his increasing poor behaviour on the lead when dogs approach. The perfect thing about her is that she is single and home all day, walks for miles and miles in the surrounding countryside, knows all the walks where she can avoid any confrontation until she has his training under control, and has owned a Weimaraner that had guarding issues in the past. The downside? She has a male dog and two parrots - so it's down to Vik now!! Fingers crossed!

I am so cheeky I know! But this sort of lifestyle sounds very Jack friendly... I feel like I am dating on Jack's behalf now - does she have a sister???


Seriously though, good luck for Vik - this sounds perfect for him!

Just don't tell him in case he gets an inferiority complex, Becky!

Everything is crossed for your boy on Sunday, this lady sounds perfect, Lets hope Vik likes her dog cause he is usually ok off lead isn't he? & do tell him Rabbits don't have feathers!!! seriously good luck Vik & Ria because we know how hard you have worked with this boy to give him his second chance. xs

All 16 paws crossed here Ria - we'll all be waiting for an update on Sunday - just hope it's a good one... what ever it is I know it will be the RIGHT one.

Good luck, Vic. Be a good boy

Vik has a serious case of mistaken identity!

That poor hedgehog decided to pay a visit to the garden again. Not only did Vik pop it into the middle of the garden and bark his head off at it, but when I came out to investigate, he picked the poor thing up and did his trot around the garden for 15 minutes with it in his mouth. In the end, because you can't exactly wrestle a hedgehog out of a dog's mouth (unless you want injuries from the dog AND the hedgehog) we had the delicate task of putting a shopping bag under Vik's mouth while tempting him with a raw chicken wing (munchy rolls, rawhide cigars and chocolate drops didn't work, so we had to go for the piece de resistance!). Sure enough, his whiskers twitched as I tantalisingly rubbed the chicken wing around his nose, and he did try to hold the hedgehog whilst trying to get the wing, but it just didn't work out for him. In the end he went for the dunk snatch (and nearly took my fingers off in the process). The hedgehog dropped nicely into the shopping bag, Vik got his treat and all was well with the world. Vik was then brought indoors while we released the hedgehog, none the worse for wear, although it took him an hour or so before he felt safe enough to uncurl and go on his way. I looked inside the bag and noticed quite a few creepy crawlies, so carefully checked Vik over for fleas!

Vik's tummy has been really rumbling this last couple of days, and he is farting like a good 'un. All day yesterday he was farting away in the office - it really is embarrassing because you're hoping that the staff aren't thinking it's you! I'm sure after each, "Oh Vik!!" they were thinking, "She doth protest too much." Fortunately, at one point it was so obviously not me, that I felt that they believed me! He has also been chomping on a lot of grass, and today he was trotting through the park at lunchtime, and I thought, "What on earth is that hanging from his bum?" Yes, you've guessed it - the longest blade of grass you've ever seen! "Your job!" Phil was quick to retort.

I am looking forward to Vik's visit on Sunday. The lady is incredibly keen and has phoned me most nights. She sounds just the ticket for Vik, and I hope to goodness that the visit and home check are successful. He's never met an African Grey and a Macaw up close. He will soon though!

Yesterday morning I got a bread roll out of the freezer, then the phone went and I put it down. After the phone call, I went back in the kitchen and thought, "Where did I put that bread roll?" - another CRAFT day (can't remember a flippin' thing) for me, so nothing much changes. I searched high and low (bit like the car keys most days!), and re-checked all over again. Nope, not a bread roll in sight, until I noticed the granary seeds on the kitchen floor!! Vik didn't own up, but I know Phoebe isn't that tall.

Today, we popped out to do some shopping after the morning walk and breakfast, and I told Phil to double check all the worktops to make sure there was nothing in reach. When we got back, there was an empty Lurpak tub on the floor. Vik is burping again. He's probably thinking he would have been better with the bread and butter at the same time. Honestly!!!

Probably thought he would save you from having to eat that lovely butter on your toast, crumpets & croissants & then regret it when your trousers shrink in the wash!!! not only a great companion but a health advisor as well, a dog of many talents. I hope his visitor tomorrow appreciates what a great all rounder he is!!! fingers x'ed it all goes to plan x

We spent four hours with Vik's prospective adopter today. Jackie absolutely fell in love with him. Barney, the resident 15 year old beautiful Golden Retriever, thought he was pretty okay too (probably becuase he was getting lots of treats as well! ). The parrots were interesting. One, the African Grey, literally fell off its perch, and sent Vik into a spin. The other was like, "Think you're hard, do you? Go on then, make my day, put your nose through those bars!" And of course, Vik obliged - bad move! He won't be doing that again. There was a bit too much excitement, which results in barking when Vik gets too excited, so it was out in the garden on the naughty step until he could learn his manners and behave around them. Three attempts, and he got it.

We then did a two hour walk around Ludlow and the surrounding area with Jackie taking control of the lead, and Vik was on his best behaviour. He responded well to Jackie's command when a number of different dogs approached, and he was soon brought under control.

I have told Jackie that I will approve the adoption, but the final word lies with FDR. She was absolutely over the moon, and has asked that he gets a little star on his picture (to signify he's reserved) in the shop at Ludlow so that nobody else can have him in the meantime. I even had a message on my phone when I got home saying it was the best thing that's happened to her for a long time and she feels so privileged that she's been approved. I wish all our adopters were this enthusiastic!

So, if all goes well, Vik will be off to pastures new on Thursday evening. I have the absolute best excuse to keep in touch with Jackie, as she's not on the internet and so I've told her that I will have to update this thread and pop over on a regular basis for coffee.

So, I have four days left with my lovely Vik. Oh how I will miss him. This is always the hardest part, and even typing this is bringing a lump to my throat. What's the bet Phil will be complaining tonight, "But just because he's going doesn't mean he can sleep on the bed with us until Thursday!" Oh, yes it does, mate!!!

That is wonderful news, Ria. Well done Vik - he has finally found his perfect match, by the sounds of it. I was close to tears just reading about him leaving you - I'll be the same with Jack when he goes too.

It is so lovely to know that there is hope for all the foster dogs and kennel dogs at FDR, even ones as special as Vik.

Good luck for the future, boy! xx

nothing to say other than Well done Vik, Ria & Phil know you have all worked so hard & Thanks Jackie for seeing your perfect companion

WOW Well done Ria.So happy for Vic going to his FOREVER HOME.See it does happen they do get a SECOND CHANCE.Have a lovely happy life Vic.

This is just brilliant news Ria - the fact that you waited until the right home came up and not just the first home shows how well you understood Vik ... no time for peace and quiet though .....

Bet u r going to miss Vic.Have got a spare dog going a play mate 4 Phoebe his name is Baz.Hes house trained, dog friendly & willing 2 please.

... Jack would love to spend some time with Phoebe I'm sure! In all seriousness, I think that the influence of a dog like Phoebe would work wonders on him and his lack of confidence in the world...

When shall I bring him over???

Haha! fellow fosterers!! Nah, Baz and Jack need their next move to be their forever home!

You could bring them to the dog show in St Michaels on 24th with their I need a home dog coats on, and we'll see if we can do a hard sell on the people of St Michaels!! They may even pick up a rosette! Jack's a dead cert for most appealing eyes and I think Baz will win most handsome dog!

Of course, if Vik was around, he would have swept the board!!

Here is the evidence:




Then there is a photo competition at the fete too, one category being "Pets in Hats":





and can't forget the lady of the house....