10 Responses to “Does anyone know how to train a Weimaraner?”

1. By araum_lilly on Jun 17, 2006 | Reply

   I'd take him to puppy school.
   That way you can learn how to teach him properly and he gets socialised.
   All you need is lots and lots and lots of patience.
   References :

2. By Bonsylar on Jun 17, 2006 | Reply

   I really recomend obedience training. It teaches you how to effectivly train your dog without making both of you nuts. Petsmart has a really good program.
   References :

3. By souni on Jun 17, 2006 | Reply

   He can't go to puppy school yet as he is not vaccinated. The most important training you can do with him just now is to SOCIALISE him. Very very important especially for this breed because they have strong characters.
   The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey is excellent and would be really helpful for you. Here are two handouts I give at my puppy classes – I hope you find them useful!

   Bite inhibition is an extremely important exercise to teach your puppy. Issues such as acceptance of being handled, fearfulness, socialization and biting must be tackled when your pup is young because problems with these issues are practically impossible to put right later. Teaching a dog with a full set of adult teeth and jaw strength to match is a totally different ball game!

   While puppies need to investigate the world through their mouths their investigations should not include you. Pups begin to learn bite inhibition from their littermates and mother. If they bite their brother or sister too hard, the other pup will make a high pitched squeal and will run away, effectively ending the rough and tumble game they were engaged in. Their mother will make a similar sound and move away when she knows it’s time for her pups to stop feeding from her.
   So you can use the “OUCH” method with your pup.

   As your pup bites or puts his/her teeth on any part of you say “OUCH” in a loud high pitched voice. It is important to get the timing exactly right so, as the teeth make contact with your hand, leg or any other part of your body, say “OUCH”. Immediately follow this with a reward as the pup removes his/her teeth. If the pup tries to bite again after the reward you should severe all contact with him/her, i.e. leave the room for a couple of minutes.

   House training is very easy because dogs naturally dislike soiling in their ‘den’. Lots of owners become very frustrated when their pup has an accident and they shout at, punish or worse – rub the pup’s nose in the mess!! None of us would dream of doing this with a child and would make an increased effort with the child’s potty training. So it should be with a pup. He/she is still learning about our ‘human’ world and what is acceptable and what is not.
   If you shout at or punish your pup when he/she has an accident, he/she will not understand why. It is, after all, a most natural act. They will just find somewhere out of your sight to relieve themselves, perhaps behind the couch or under the bed.
   The secret to successful house training lies in you getting the timing right. Pups generally want to empty themselves after they have just woken up, after eating a meal or after a play.
   Try to anticipate when your pup wants to ‘go’. He/she may start sniffing or turning in circles. When you see your pup behaving like this, stop what you are doing and take him/her outside immediately. Take him/her to the spot where you want him/her to ‘go’ and wait. Don’t distract him/her by talking or playing just let him/her get on with it. As soon as he/she has finished hand out a treat and give him/her lots of praise. Remember to treat and praise within ONE SECOND so the pup can make the association between the action and the reward. Be prepared and keep treats in your pocket and an umbrella/raincoat by the door. This way you will not miss an opportunity to teach your pup the house rules.
   If your pup has an accident, say NOTHING. Just clean it up then hit yourself over the head with a newspaper for missing the opportunity and not anticipating your pup.

   Using an indoor crate can be very useful for house training as well as having many other benefits. Dogs like the security of the crate and feel quite happy in one if you have visitors that don’t like dogs. Your pup will not mess in his/her bed and providing you train him/her to the crate properly and don’t leave him/her too long, you can take him/her out when you are ready. Crates are particularly good for house training over night. You can let your pup out first thing in the morning, treat and praise and have instant success.
   References :
   Qualified animal behaviourist, trainer and kennel owner. I also run clicker classes.

4. By Dog_trainer on Jun 17, 2006 | Reply

   Weimaraner? Good luck – they are a challenge and they need a LOT of exercise! Hope you're using a crate? These dogs are prone to separation anxiety and I've seen them chew a house apart and jump through plate glass windows.

   You should begin obedience training immediately, either on your own with some good books (see below) or with a trainer who specializes in puppies. Don't listen to people who tell you that you have to wait until they are six months old – by then it's way too late. (Would you send your child off to his first day of school when he's 13??) If you hire a trainer, be sure to check their references – there are a lot of people with very limited experience calling themselves "master trainers".

   Check on the http://www.akc.org website for obedience training clubs in your area. They often have classes that are very reasonable and have better-than-average trainers.

   Buy and read "What All Good Dogs Should Know" by Jack Volhard. And "Good Owners, Great Dogs" by Brian Kilcommins. And "Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method" by Volhard. And
   "Dog Problems" by Benjamin
   You can get them on Amazon.com.

   Watch Cesar Millan – The Dog Whisperer if you get the National Geographic Channel. He's the best trainer I've ever seen on TV. He's also got a book out – "Cesar's Way".
   References :
   28 years training exp.

5. By H2odog on Jun 18, 2006 | Reply

   Watch Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer. These guys need more walking than most breeds. I hope someone in your family is a runner or can rollerblade. You're gonna need to take up one of these hobbies. Weimaraners need a good hour a day. My 4 month old Yorkies get an hour a day. And, they're teeny. It works.
   References :
   Cesar groupie

6. By bethany on Mar 29, 2010 | Reply

   Hi i have a 4 month old weimarener puppy!! we started training him from the word go…he sits,lies down etc on command and is a brilliant well behaved puppy!! thankfully!!! but im finding it difficult to get him to go to the toilet outside!! he goes in the same spot in the house (paper by the door)wich is brilliant at the moment but when i take him out to the toilet no matter how long we are out for he seems to wait untill we get back to go on his paper!! i have tried putting paper outside,treats when he does eventally go outside etc but nothing seems to work!! anyother ideas??

7. By jemke1 on Mar 29, 2010 | Reply

   Hi Bethany,
   We used a command “go potty” and lots of praise when our Lil’Pea went outside and when she went inside we simply took her outside immediately. When I say praise I don’t mean “good dog” I mean Weimaraner praise – the kind that lights them up – pets, hugs, what a wonderful potty!!! It did not take long for her to understand that the praise came only when she went outside.
   Good Luck

8. By bethany on Mar 30, 2010 | Reply

   thanks il give it a go and let you know how it goes!! i havent been using a command word which is were maybe im goin wrong! thanks

9. By jemke1 on Mar 30, 2010 | Reply

   Hope it works for you – potty on command keeps things where you want them !

10. By Dell on Nov 26, 2010 | Reply

    I have a 5.5 mnth old Weim, and as far as potty training he was great, the most important steps I took were a strict routine, First thing in the AM, 20-45 min after am feeding and right before bed. As soon as he jumps off the bed at 6 am or 7 am I take him out right away and we both go right back to sleep!
    Food wise, whatever was not eaten is removed from the floor and not replaced until dinner eat, then consistent outings. I have had maybe ONE MAJOR accident, meaning POO, in three months because I didnt get home for 6 hours and did a food change! MY FAULT totally. As far as the separation anxiety this is my second weim & the first was real bad with that, she ate the couch the coffee tables chairs everything and anything.
    This pup goes to doggie day care 4 hours a day. The pup is dropped in my home, if he is expected to be alone longer than 4 hours, then he stays for a full day 8hrs. This has SAVED my home and HIM! NOT ONE thing eaten or soiled! He comes home exhausted and sleeps doesnt even go in the crate. Just hits his special blanket on the couch and sleeps. it’s a lil costly, but far worth my home being destroyed and knowing he his fulfilled by playing and socializing…I come home he is happy, not hyper or jumpy, and I am happy because I dont have to clean up a disaster. Weim’s truly are the best dogs I have ever had…