Weimaraner Training: Becoming The Pack Leader

There are many factors known to affect weimaraner training. Training an intelligent dog can be more exciting but his stubborn personality can delay desirable results from occurring. The owner's attitude affects the training progress too. Aside from being determined and consistent, you need to exhibit confidence so as to establish your role as leader of the pack he must respect and obey.

So what makes the pack order so important when it comes to training? It's because dogs are social animals. Before they were domesticated and became popular household pets, dogs in the wild have been thriving in groups. They follow a hierarchy, in which the alpha is the one controlling the behavior of other animals in the pack. The alpha enjoys more freedom than other members - gets to eat first, sleep wherever he wants and give commands and expect the members to obey.

However, domesticated dogs have been removed from this natural order and learned to thrive with humans. Thus instead of being in a pack of four-legged canines, many have already learned to consider their two-legged human companions as member of the pack too.

But how can an owner establish his role as the pack leader? Simple but can be tricky at times for this does not happen naturally. You have to be confident and firm enough for your dog to see you as a competent leader who will not only control him but also protect him should the need arise.

To show your authority over your dog, here are some tips you might want to consider:

Be the first on everything.

Since the pack leader gets to eat first or walk ahead of the other members of the pack, it is just right that you follow this routine. Always go first when going through a doorway, walking or going up and down the stairs. When you are walking your dog outside, do not let him walk ahead of you. He should be beside or behind you instead.

Call your dog to come to you.

When it's time to walk or you need to attach his collar or leash, call him to come to you instead of going to him yourself. The same is true during mealtime, playtime and in almost every opportunity.

Set time for everything.

There should be schedule for feeding, potty breaks, exercise and even weimaraner training.

Never tolerate his whims.

There will come a time when your weimaraner would beg for food or bark to go out of the house. Never give in to all his whims even if those puppy eyes melt your heart. You are the leader so you are the one who decides when to eat or when and where to go.

Your weimaraner should sleep in his bed, not in yours.

As mentioned, the alpha can sleep wherever he wants, more likely in the most comfortable area. You can allow your dog on your bed but he should only stay at the bottom and not push you out of the way.

Jan Gould is an avid dog fan who loves to write weimaraner training articles. For more tips on weimaraner training, feel free to visit her site specifically dedicated to the breed.