Originally bred as a hunting dog for German nobility in the 17th century, the Weimaraner, sometimes called the “grey ghost,” is a distinctively colored dog that typically weighs around 80 pounds. The breed is very energetic, loyal to its master, aggressive towards other animals, and does not do well if left alone for long periods of time. A good Weimaraner training will prove invaluable to all parties involved.

Being attentive to the dog but at the same time being in charge. It is important that he constantly adopts an alpha dog attitude towards his Weimaraner. Consider asking the dog to sit before placing his food in front of him; you can do this by pushing down politely but firmly on the tail. Weimaraners are highly intelligent and will pick up on your intent quickly. This is a positive step towards establishing your domain.

The Weimaraner is very energetic. Young children in your presence can fall prey to groping, jumping, and other unbridled excitement. The Weimaraner should have two long walks every day. It may be a good idea to include a toss and fetch session, perhaps including a tennis ball toss, every day. It will be enthusiastically received and could prove to be a decent substitute for a walk.

Socialize the dog early and often. The more people you know, the better off you are. But the Weimaraner does not do well with other animals. The exception might be the family cat, if the cat is a part of a Weimaraner’s life from its earliest puppy stages. Otherwise, the instinct to chase, catch and submit that has been honed by centuries of training and experience will take over and the Weimaraner will chase after it.

Weimaraner training should include acclimating the dog to your absence. Separation anxiety, which can be characterized by barking or destructive behavior, can and should be managed. You can train the Weimaraner to cope with this by periodically taking breaks from the dog that get longer and longer. Don’t try to compensate by being overly attentive just before you leave, or just after you return, as that will reinforce the distress the dog is likely to feel while you’re gone. But you have to be prepared not to stray much more than five or six hours at a time. If that’s unavoidable, hire a sitter to visit for those long periods so the dog can have some human contact and leave him outside. The handler should become familiar with the dog before undertaking this task.

It may be better for the Weimaraner and his master to take an obedience training course. Such a company requires a professional with the experience to do the job properly. It will improve the bond between the dog and the master.

The Weimaraner is a beautiful and loyal breed. It has behavioral characteristics that should be considered if you choose to add one to your life. Good Weimaraner training is essential for both the dog and his two-legged friends to make the experience more satisfying.