Weimaraner Problems: Training Weimaraners

Any dog can sometimes give their owner problems. They may chew, bark, whine, dig in the garden or shed hair through your house! While shedding is not an issue for Weimaraner owners, Weimaraner training problems can occur. So if you have any Weimaraner problems, here are some solutions to the most common issues.   

Prey Drive

When trained properly, most Weimaraners are happy, energetic dogs with a loyal and loving personality that makes them great companions. But it must never be forgotten that Weimaraners were selectively bred to hunt large game. This means that they possess an inbuilt prey drive. This prey drive is the instinctual desire to chase and to kill other animals that your dog perceives to be prey. This can range from rodents and next doors cat to large deer.

Consequently we suggest that any new pets be introduced while your dog is young. It is also a good idea to keep your Weimaraner secure when outdoors. Chasing or attacking other animals and pets can result in serious injury to them and to your dog, not to mention the possible legal implications.

Aggression

Aggression is another side effect related to your dog’s hunting heritage.  Your Weimaraner may have a tendency to get aggressive towards things it sees as a threat to itself, or to you, for that matter. This tendency can be more pronounced in dogs that are not adequately socialized at a young age.

For example they may get easily agitated, overreact and attack new animals or people that enter their space.  I am not saying that this is common behavior, but it is possible and every Weimaraner owner should be aware of it.

To avoid having these Weimaraner problems that arise from aggression, it is always best to socialize your puppy at a very young age. They are best socialized by being left in the litter until around 12-14 weeks old. You then need to maintain a strong alpha presence in the household at all times. By showing your Weimaraner puppy that you are always in charge, they won’t feel the need to be aggressive because they know that you will deal with any issues that arise.

Separation Anxiety

Weimaraners as a breed are more likely than most dogs to show signs of separation anxiety. This behavior usually arises when you give your dog lots of attention by “saying goodbye” when you leave or “hello” when you come home. Your dog may begin to bark whenever you’re away, or it might start up more destructive behaviors like pulling hair; excessive chewing that can break teeth or digging and scratching their paws.  They may also go to the toilet in the house.

Clearly this can be a major issue. So for Weimaraner problems with anxiety, you need to teach your dog from the time it is a puppy that it will not receive attention before, or when, you are leaving or returning home. Make sure everyone in the family treats your dog the same way because it only takes one person saying goodbye to start your dog’s anxiety responses off.

Neuroses

Apart from the issues mentioned above, Weimaraners can also grow neurotic to little sounds, eating, scratching, digging and a range of other typical dog behaviors. The cause of these responses is usually loneliness, boredom and/or lack of exercise.

To remain physically and perhaps more importantly, mentally healthy, your Weimaraner needs around 2hrs of exercise a day. You really have to spend at least 2-3 hours per day with your dog either training or playing to meet its needs for companionship and exercise.

If you feel that you cannot spend this amount of time at home with your dog, especially during the first 1-2 years, you may have to think about a different breed that can tolerate more time alone. The addition of a second dog for company can help, but they will still need to at least 1-2 hours of play/exercise per day.

While Weimaraner problems are much the same as any dog problems, they must be addressed early or they can quickly escalate into serious issues. Primarily you must be able to spend time with your Weimaraner, this is essential. Make sure you address any aggression and build a strong alpha relationship early and your dog will be a happy and healthy companion for life.