German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America

[VJohnson]

In December we adopted a German Wirehaired Pointer who had been taken out of her home for abuse. We didn't really have any knowledge of her breed, but we just couldnt resist her. When we got Zoey, she was so skinny that we were afraid for the first week or so that she might not live. I am happy to say she is doing great! She has put on some weight, although not enough. She constantly paces, and I am sure this affects her weight. Is the pacing a trait for her breed? If she is awake and not playing with her baby dolls or the kids, she is pacing. In the house, in the yard, all the time! I had hoped in the beginning that maybe she was nervous, or scared, or unsure of her surrounding and that it would stop, but it hasn't. If anyone has any input at all on this I would appreciate it very much! Thank you!

[admin]

Congratulations for adopting a GWP! They are delightful companions!

GWPs are high energy dogs. Often pacing is the way this energy is expressed. I would suggest getting her involved in activities that involve her brain. Agility, field work, obedience, flyball or any other activity that involves brain work will help her to put that energy to positive use. It iwll also help you and her to develop a strong bond

Also, I would suggest the book "Second Hand Dog" by Carol Lea Benjamin. It's all about taking on a rescue dog and what you can expect and how to deal with some of the emotional baggage that is most certainly there.

Good luck and congratulations again!

BBAdmin

[dualgwp]

December to now isn't all that long and your new kids could take more time to fit in.

One problem with rescue dogs is you just don't know what they have been through, how much or how little they have had put into them, and it's going to take you both some time to figure it all out.

I agree with Sheri, it sounds like she really needs something to do. Wires aren't known for their love of lieing about and being floor mats.. if you want that get a Golden. This is an active breed that will self exercise if you won't exercise them... you probably won't appreciate their ideas however. The pacing could be nerves, could be a need for more exercise, you have to figure out what she needs.

Thanks for the adoption, and please don't hesitate to ask us all for help!

PS... I have had pacers, for them I think it was genetic and I bred away from it toot sweet!

Good luck
Dual GWP

[Keith]

Sometimes personalities can change in a rescued dog. We adopted a cairn terrier once. She started out mean with a nasty temper and would snap at people. But after we had owned her a while she turned into one of the sweetest dogs we have ever owned. I think she had turned mean in self defence from living on the streets. It was like she turned into a different dog after we owned her a while.