Four Weimaraner Puppies Spotted a Butterfly and Dropped Everything
A yellow butterfly flutters near the fence, and four silver-gray puppies are completely hypnotized. Three of them stand on wobbly legs with their heads lifted, tails low, and eyes tracking every flap. The fourth has dropped onto the grass in front, mouth half open as if she has just given up on the chase. The lawn is dotted with sunlit patches, a coiled green hose and an old flower pot, and nobody is looking anywhere but up.
Weimaraners come from a long line of hunting dogs, and chasing moving things is deeply built in. Puppies show it early, by pouncing on leaves, insects and flying specks. This is usually harmless, but a puppy racing after a butterfly across an open yard can easily run into a fence or out an open gate, so a securely fenced area is important. Teaching a recall word, like 'come', with treats and praise while your puppy is small is a great investment. Ask your vet or a trainer about starting early training.
The butterfly will drift away over the fence, and four puppies will watch it go with hearts full of unfinished business.
There is something wonderful about watching puppies discover that the world has moving things in it. The butterfly never comes close, and they never quite catch it, but the chase is the whole point.
