This page was last updated on: July 26, 2009
Dog Training Tips & Pointers
from
Cliff Nielsen, Breeder/Trainer
The Versatile Weimaraner & Water
Teaching your Weimaraner to swim............ By Cliff Nielsen
Rule #1. What ever you are trying to teach your Weimaraner--keep is fun! Never lose your temper or patience and if you are not having fun quit for now and try again later. Keep sessions short. You learn more when you play together!
Question: How do I get my puppy to like the water?
Answer: First of all, don't make the water the focus early on. Work on retrieving. If you Weimy likes to retrieve they can learn to swim and retrieve in the water. So, early-on put your energy in developing the game of fetch. Later the water will follow!
Important Pointer: Hopefully your breeder has given your pup a short lesson in swimming. We look at it like imprinting that ability while they are very young like 7 weeks old.
Question: OK my Weim retrieves a ball and/or other toys by the hour on land but won't go into the water. How do I get them in the water.
Answer: There are many ways to accomplish this feat, however, the key is patience. Here are some varied ways to accomplish teaching your pup to swim:
1. Wear rubber boots and stand in the water and throw the floating dummy or toy into the shallow edges. Let your Weim retrieve in the shallow edges where they can touch bottom. Don't throw it very far or try to force the issue. Ease the toy out further and further just barely past where they can touch the bottom. 2. Take along another dog that knows how to water retrieve. Take two dummies and throw the one out aways for the experienced retriever. Throw the second for the novice along the edge and ease it out. You can be a little bolder because you have another trained retriever to bring back the dummy/toy. 
3. You can also get in the water and swim. Throwing the toy along the edge of the water if you like. 4. You can use a boat dock where the conditions are ideal. We like to use one in a reservoir where the water is shallow but the back of the dock is deeper. Depending upon you and conditions, you can get in the water or the pup might even dive off the water to someone who is calling them from the bank. 5. Be creative and keep it fun always. Rule 2: Don't throw them in. Don't force them in. Sometimes another dog will encourage them to dive in. Tease them into the water. Again keep it fun. If they don't swim today don't worry eventually they will swim.
I hope these water training Pointers are helpful. I look forward to hearing from you.........Cliff Nielsen (nielsen@fmtcblue.com) All versatile hunting venues require your Weimaraner to show they can do water work.
The best approach is to get your pup acclimated to the water early. Here at OwyheeStar we swim each pup before they leave--weather permitting.
Click here to see more swimming pups....
