TracieBlue.com Breeders of Blue and Silver Weimaraners

Weimaraners Hit and KILLED by cars

I'm writing this after learning three puppies (at least that we know of) have been killed by cars. According to Animal People Newspaper 1.2 million dogs were killed on U.S. roads in 2012. Many of them chasing dogs ,cats, squirrels or people We spend a great deal of time imprinting our puppies to be loving and calm as possible. But dogs are dogs and don't have the critical thinking of humans. These losses also effect us as breeders very deeply, no one want's their Weimaraner to be hit by a car or truck. I can only imagine the pain a family goes through after such an accident. I'm going to list a few things thatmight help this situation then I will tell a story of our own.

Helpful things you can do for protecting your Weimaraner!

Leash laws are everywhere so keep your Weimaraner on a leash when in public. It's beat for you and your weimaraner.

Tether them while in the car with a leash or harness. I put a leash on them and close it in the door. We do get a few crazy looks but they don't run all over the car.

Don't ever let them out the driver side of the vehicle. Only the passenger side.

Don't let them out of the car until you say "OK". When you exit, say to them "STAY" and make them wait for you command to exit. I know if you have children this may be difficult, but with time it will work. Our Weimaraner's know they can't exit until we say "OK" and motion with our hand.

An open car window is very dangerous.

Weimaraners are fast thinkers and fast acting. They will act on any action from another animal or person. So don't think a well disciplined Won't act the very instant an outside action occurs. Just knowing this will save lives.

If you find yourself across the street from your Weimaraner say your Weims name and "SIT" "STAY" while holding up your hand going to them. And know they can bolt at any moment

A fenced in yard or underground fence is also a good idea.

Always expect the unexpected.

Three of our sold puppies over the years have been killed by cars. One chased another dog down the road and was hit, One chased another dog in the park and was hit, One jumped out the car window while a tire was being changed and was killed in front of the entire family.

Tracie Blue jumping out the driver's door

When Tracie Blue was about six months old I would take her snow plowing with me. She loved it so much I couldn't go without her. One day I stopped on a back two lane road to check the plow and Tracie Blue went right out the driver door. A car was coming and thank God he saw her and slowed down as she was jumping. He told me he had the same thing happen to him and just knew she was going to jump. This is when we started the training to leave out the passenger side of the car. Over the years we have had no problems with our Weims jumping into traffic. Every time I open my door I say "STAY" to them, and they know I'm going to say it.

So I decided to see what would happen if I left a window open.

We have horses about a mile from our house on a five acre property and I go there a least twice a day to feed and water them. I took Mojo with me and left the driver side window down to see what would happen if I got out. Sure enough I closed the door and he started to jump out. As I turned and looked at him he stopped in his tracks. All of our Weimaraners know not to leave the car until I open the passenger side door and say it's "OK". And I admit I don't tether them on the way to the property because it's only a mile away. I will only take one at a time and let them run when I get there so they are always exited to go. The property is very secluded an no chance of getting into any roadway. I must say I didn't think he would try to jump out that window, but he did.