Waiting for drives to kick in? - Page 2

darylehret

 What would you consider incredible drives? 

My trainers dogs have what I consider incredible drives...the ball or tug comes out and the game is on.  No way would I try to work the ball or tug with these dogs..VERY INTENSE....I am sure I would be hamburger at the end. 

I agree with Firefly. Prey should be there from the beginning. If a pup is not showing a decent amount of prey by 12 weeks, I move on. With that said, I am learning alot from the new shepherd pups we have. I have never brought up a shepherd from day one.

 My puppy showed good prey from the beginning. She is small and more "malinios" like. Her 1/2 brother not so much, but it did not take long. There is a thing called "channeling" drives. This means you work the dog in one drive, then use that drive to "channel" into another.

My pup is very ballanced. She is fun to work. She is prey driven but carries aggression. These are the dogs I like the best. Her brother I had to work more in defense, then use that to channel into prey.

GSD's, as a general rule, develope slower than some breeds. Males seem to be a bit slower. I have a friend who's dog is DDR. He told me his dog showed NOTHING until he was 4 years old. That's way to long for me but his dog is a real nice dog.

Get A Real Dog

I agree with what you said.. "Males seem to be a bit slower." Females normaly mature faster than males, even in humans.  J

Jen

Thanks for all the replies!

 I keep reading general comments about the ddr dogs as "slow to mature" and was curious if other lines msy have the same issue.

I know all dogs are different.   Experience is the best teacher....but it is nice to read about other peoples experiences to help form an opinion.

Hi Yvette

I think my pup went through your "puppy confidence course" at your club a few months ago. 

Ravenwalker,

Cool!  I hope you and your pup enjoyed the "obstacle course".  I've taken over organizing that at our club.  We should do it more often.  I think it helps to expose the puppies and dogs to unusual situations, slick surfaces, agility obstacles, uneven surfaces, and of course weirdos in costume.  LOL.  If you happen to have a picture of me riding around on a bicycle, dragging dozens of clattering plastic bottles, with colored streamers on my helmet, and squawking into the walkie talkie hidden in the bite suit, please let me know.  It must have been a hilarious display. 

Please do come back and visit us!

Yvette

It was a great course.   Very well thought out.  Nope no pics...I will get some next time.

I would like to make it back down to work some obedience on a different field and maybe a little tracking.

 Its a great group of people down there and a fun place  to train.

Take care