Rescued low drive mal - Page 1

Two months ago, we rescued a 6 month old Mal female, she was destined to become a breeder, locked in a kennel her entire short life, so she missed out on that critical early socialization.  There are some issues (I have another post--"Help with rescued Mal", but are dealing with these). 

This is not really a problem since she is just a pet but she seems to have very low drive--not like the other mals I read about.  She is very high energy, tends towards anxiety and nervousness and is very smart, but does not seem to want to "work".  She learns quickly in informal training settings, just getting her use to what I want/need her to do and is very good off leash, comes when called, sit, wait, walk nice on leash--the basics.  She does not like formal training settings where the whole point of the interaction is training (I use positive reinforcement, with treats and praise).  She seems very frustrated and distracted, a bit resistant, although she gets the point.   She has no ball drive whatsoever.  I play ball/frisbee with my border collie (who has a work drive so high she will herd trees if I tell her--don't ask!), but the mal just does not seem interested.  She was taught to ignore the cats/chickens, which she does, she loves to chase bunnies but she does not have near the intensity that my other dogs do and it's "out of sight, out of mind".  Right now I am just doing obedience with her.  I am working on a "place" command, recommended by a trainer.  She does not like this at all.  I think agility might be fun, but I can't really seeing her enjoying this.  She is very anxious in any new situations and like I said before, she does not like formal training sessions.

Like I said before, I don't want or need a high drive dog but I was wondering if there are any tips to try to engage her more.  Is this really abnormal for a mal?  She gets plenty of exercise and loves to go for walks and runs, but we are trying to get her to respond to/respect my husband (she currently does not like him--she won't go for walks with him)

I have done obedience with dogs before, I have lots of doggie experience--just not mal experience.

I think you are expecting too much from here right now. Sounds perfectly normal to me considering the environment she was used to. It could take some time for her to come around to what you want. Enjoy her for the individual she is.

Seems like the nerves override her drive, in that case. To be honest I am glad you got her, because this doesn't sound like a dog that should have been breeding. Neglect and "critical early socialization" is just an excuse for poor genetics here, I think. A more solid temperament dog should bounce back a lot quicker, and I would expect the more solid dog to be more out of control and possibly more aggressive if raised in the same situation.

I would suggest taking her everywhere, staying just long enough and far enough away to keep her from stressing in new situations, and slowly build up her tolerance by working and training in drive. If she has no prey drive for toys, use food. Try introducing toys in the situation where she is completely comfortable, and build from there. Try playing in a non confrontational manner - like a flirt pole with a rag, tug, or stuffed furry toy.

I have no patience to work with dogs like these... :(

Update 3 months later!

Stella is doing much better but still has a lower drive which I am ok with since she is "just" a pet and farm dog--and hiking/jogging companion which she does wonderfully! 

She still tends towards fear and anxiety in strange situations but with a lot of careful socialization, she is good with meeting new people and especially likes children.  No aggression.

She still has absolutely no interest in chasing balls and such and looks on with amusment when I play catch with my border collie.

She is very obedient, but still tends to "shut down" when asked for more formal work such as proper heel position--no eye contact and nervous.  So I don't worry about it, it is not something she needs out here in the country.  I still hope to teach her agilty.

She is next to impossible to tire out.

I rescued a Mal back in May- named Elah- she started out with low drive, and behaviour that makes me think she was confied and abused. She would show interest in a ball initially, but if I took the ball back for anothr toss, Daddy had taken it away and the game was over. She has since gotten the idea that the exchange is what it's about.  I think it took first of all lots and lots of affection so that she feels confident with me and in in herself, and lots of short-term low-key fun- just a few ball toses here and there. When she really started playing was on a walk- she stopped to visit with another dog, and got so excited, she forgot herself and started playing tug of war with her leish. After that one event, it's been fairly rapid progress. My guess is that if she sees you continually playing with the other dog, she'll eventually loose herself in the fun and join you.