Why You Should engrain the love of the retrieve!

It is an excellent question. Isn't the Weimaraner a natural retriever? Yes; however, as Cliff is quick to point out the Weimaraner is concrete thinking. Once they get an idea or habit, it is tough to change their mind. You (as well as them) are best served by getting the right idea up front.
Then, why mention the retrieve? On occasion, the Weimaraner has gotten the idea that some other dog or person can do the retrieving. Therefore, it is smart to get them wild for the notion of retrieving to your hand. This action can serve you well on many levels. The hunter, as well as the non-hunter, will reap benefits.
How you accomplish this goal is also important. Cliff suggests you find a hallway situation. Find a place you can close the doors and set up the situation where the pup cannot abscond with the dummy or bumper. Secondly, he encourages you to have one special item for this exercise. It can be a toy, a dummy, or a bumper. Make its use exclusive to the retrieval work.
Make this an evening event. Set aside a minuscule amount of time for this one thing. Keep the excitement high. Limit the throws to 5-7 at the most. Stop while they still want to keep going. Halting the fun while still want to keep going creates the excitement. It also doesn't allow room for them to tire of the activity. Later you can move to the yard when you have the reliable recall.
While it seems like a simple thing to spend less than ten minutes throwing a bumper each evening, it engrains the love of the retrieve. This love will set the stage for many other successful achievements.
Then, why mention the retrieve? On occasion, the Weimaraner has gotten the idea that some other dog or person can do the retrieving. Therefore, it is smart to get them wild for the notion of retrieving to your hand. This action can serve you well on many levels. The hunter, as well as the non-hunter, will reap benefits.
How you accomplish this goal is also important. Cliff suggests you find a hallway situation. Find a place you can close the doors and set up the situation where the pup cannot abscond with the dummy or bumper. Secondly, he encourages you to have one special item for this exercise. It can be a toy, a dummy, or a bumper. Make its use exclusive to the retrieval work.
Make this an evening event. Set aside a minuscule amount of time for this one thing. Keep the excitement high. Limit the throws to 5-7 at the most. Stop while they still want to keep going. Halting the fun while still want to keep going creates the excitement. It also doesn't allow room for them to tire of the activity. Later you can move to the yard when you have the reliable recall.
While it seems like a simple thing to spend less than ten minutes throwing a bumper each evening, it engrains the love of the retrieve. This love will set the stage for many other successful achievements.
Pointers to get off to a great start!
~OwyheeStar recommends taking a simple approach.
- Be committed — Commitment to the process is primary. Training your pup will take time. Think of this as a journey (a road trip) with a destination in mind. Don't set timelines; instead take this adventure together. It will take as long as it takes for each achievement. Sometimes just when you think, you have arrived; your Weimaraner will hit a snag or transitional phase. There are many of these stages in the first couple of years. As with an adolescent, they can be going along well and suddenly regress. Please take this in stride it is nothing personal The first occurrence could well be prior to week twelve.
- Keep your eye on the young puppy at all times--This is vitally important for at least the first 2-3 weeks, or until you have the housebreaking part accomplished. Use a crate, bag, or soft-side crate to confine the pup when you cannot be alert. The crate should not be too large. If it is more than they need they may select one end for a potty area.
- Be consistent–Do everything in the same manner! For example, the pup wakes up and stirs. At first, you would pick them up and carry them out to the area where you want them to go potty. Each time you see them circling or rousing from a nap go to the potty-area. If you use the bells hung at the door, then ring them as you go out the door. Soon they will be ringing the bells as a signal for you to open the door.
- Keep it simple — Although your pup can learn amazing things, it is best to do a few simple things and build upon those experiences. The process will unfold naturally if you allow it to do so; start with getting them to come. Although they all follow and come to us, it is different once they start to mature. Do the hallway exercise (5-7 retrieves each night). By using a hallway (with adjoining doors closed) there is nowhere for them to escape with the toy, ball, or dummy. Some people treat them when they bring the item to their hand.
- Keep it fun — Weimaraners are very intelligent and learn quickly. A trainer might tell you to work for an hour and even a half hour doing one exercise every night, but we suggest ten minutes. Do it for ten minutes and then do something fun. This works for us! If your Weim pup loses interest, you lose ground in the training process.
- Remember it is about your relationship — No matter what you are doing it is important to remember that Weims are all about relationship. If they get their feelings hurt things can go sour quickly. Your bonding experience is vital to the success of this relationship. Take time to think and see things from their perspective. You are the center of their world. They not only want to control you, but they want to own you. Weimaraners are the ultimate Velcro dog and must be taught how to stay alone. Relationship is a double-edged sword. They need a lot of time, attention, and affection. They also need to learn to be without you for periods of time. We recommend starting this process very early, or they will come to expect you will be there 24 X 7. Separation anxiety can be a huge issue in this breed.
- Be patient — When you go out to teach your pup a skill, make sure it is a learn-able task. Plan enough time to accomplish the task, and at the same time keep the actual working period in short bursts of success. If you are feeling stressed, forego training your Weimaraner. There are many methods of training but one that enhance your bonding experience and create a respectful environment that will produce results.