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There are really two
levels to consider when thinking about training a
Weimaraner. As with all purebred dogs, obedience
training and housetraining/housebreaking are the
most common and basic types of instruction that you
should consider for your new pet, which is the first
level. Additionally, Weimaraners are very
intelligent and eager to please, so training them is
not always a major hurdle. On the other hand, the
Weimaraner can be a bit headstrong, even stubborn,
so patience will be necessary in most cases.
First, remember that the Weimaraner is a hunting dog
by nature and this large, quick canine can be
dangerous to small animals and birds. In addition,
the Weimaraner is a house dog, preferring to live
with the master. This breed does not do well in a
kennel or outside.
You may want to
seriously, consider obedience training to tame some
of the energy in the Weimaraner. Be patient and look
at the process over the long term, however. Training
must be gentle because this breed does not respond
well to harsh treatment. Yet, the methods must be
firm and consistent if you expect positive response.
Crate training may be necessary for housebreaking
your Weimaraner. Just remember, if you go about this
in the correct way, the dog will see the crate as a
“den” that he will naturally want to keep clean.
Furthermore, if you leave the door open and entice
the dog into the crate with small, healthy treats
and a soft blanket, you may be surprised to see that
your new pet takes to his home quite well. It is
also important to have the dog go into the crate for
short periods when you are home to prevent the dog
from feeling that the crate is punishment or a place
to be locked up when you are gone.
The second level of training that may be important
to a Weimaraner is field training or training for
live hunting. The breed existed for years as a
hunting dog and is one of the rare canines that has
webbed feet for better swimming. The first Weimar
pointers were recognized as a breed in Europe in the
1800s. Breeding was strictly controlled to maintain
the quality of bloodlines. There was a boom in
interest in the Weimaraner in the 1950s that
weakened the bloodlines. As more people sought the
dog as a status symbol, the number of ill-bred dogs
appeared.
The breed is still one of the 50 most popular dogs
in America and breeding problems are being addressed
continuously. Keep in mind that many people have
found that a well-bred Weimaraner makes an excellent
hunting dog that may excel in field competition.
This breed is included in the list of dogs that
appear and do well in field trials, along with the
English Setter, German Shorthaired Pointer, Irish
Setter, and others.
For the best results, most experienced owners and
hunters recommend a professional trainer that works
with top field or hunting dogs. The methods vary,
but almost all concentrate first on basic commands
for directing and controlling the dog in the open.
There are also some well-known, tried-and-true
tricks for training older dogs that may seem set in
their ways. Then, it is important to start early in
training a hunting or field Weimaraner.
This breed can be trained to hunt fur-bearing
animals as well as birds and will work in the field
or in the water. The Weimaraner may not point with
the great intensity of a full-blooded pointer or
retrieve with the splash of a Labrador, but this is
a fine hunting/field dog. We recommend you find a
professional trainer and start a great relationship
with your Weimaraner.
See Also:
Weimaraner Training
Weimaraner Training
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