Do not play ball with your dog. - Page 2

Habanaro
No I am not training my dog for anything, maybe the next dog, Im not sure. I bought that book because it was recomended by someone on this forum after I said that I thought my dog might be too freindly with other people.
I started this thread wondering if I should limit her toy time. I think she may need them though when she is here alone during the day. I also think maybe another dog would be good for her but that hasnt happened yet. Ive read that GSD dont like to be alone.

my dogs love to play ball, its very bonding.......they have to "give" their prey to you........

i use a tug game to excite my pups and to gain thier attantion......

Its prey drive nothing more or less,and is a trait of gsd , working is what  they do it , weather it is working or show. You will not  make a dog a better dog by not allowing a chase , Im not sure were your info comes from but from a puppy chase is the beginning of training ,discipline next ,control next.. All in fun ,or your going to have a dog that is not so fun. Police work or military work is not for a novice , but there are forum members who might take you there. You will have to prove you have the dog  and  the ability to produce one , and then what your going to do with him. Why? A nice well trained dog is happy , and your neighbors and family will be safe. You want to work then  go for titles .

I do too have "training toys" and "house toys"  They have a big toy basket in the house that they are free to go and take out what they choose.  I have yet to teach them to put their toys away just yet.   :)  

Ball/kong on a rope and a jute tug are their usual training toys.  

Kathy

It still amazes me how slow some in the dog world are to evolve.

I own Bill Koehler books. they were the first ones I ever read regarding protection training. I was one of those guys who read that book, wrapped a towel around my arm and taught my Boxer how to bite. I know many a trainer who started out the same way.


HELLOOOOOOO, THAT WAS 40 YEARS AGO!

He was cutting edge and argueably one of the best trainers of his time. Folks times change.

Do surgeon's use the same surgery procedures they did 40 years ago, or with modern technology, have their methodes improved?

Do athlete's play professional sports the same way or coaches use the same coaching techniques they did back then? maybe a little.

I don't know to many people using computers, or stereo equipment they purchased in 1989.

Koehler's concept of a dog playing ball would disrupt protection work, just does not hold water today. I do not know one active patrol dog or top level competitor who does not play fetch with their dog. Not one. Training and knowlege of canine behavior, like everything else has improved and evolved.

Sure there are times and dogs that will still benifit from some of his ideas and techniques. I am going to be buying a dog from some hard ass KNPV lines and I am sure I will be breaking out my old Koehler book on this one once in awhile.

I went off on kind of a tangent here, but when I see people who think Ceasar Milan is some wonderful cutting edge trainer, or read Koehler books and think it still pertains today, I wonder why. I have a guy in my club, who is a great guy, wants to learn, but I am having a difficult time getting him to realize socializing his dogs will not make them less of a protection dog. He still has that mindset of "I don't want everyone petting my dog, cuz he won't view people as a threat."

I find it funny how often in the dog world people are unwilling to change. If you really look around you will see it. Trainers who were on top of their game, 15, 10, hell even 5 years ago sit and watch the dog world go by, yet they keep doing the same things? I always wonder why. the only thing I can come up with is fear. People are afraid of what they do not know. Afraid to go outside their comfort zone. Afraid that people will not think they are a good trainer if they go to other trainers and take something from them. Afraid. Any dog trainer worth a lick is always looking for the next best training technique.

Slamdunc posted awhile back about using a laser pointer to do directed searches. I had never even thought of that but it makes alot of sense. I wonder how long it will take for LE trainers to get with that concept.

Dog training is an art form. For me the beauty of it is interacting with each indiividual animal and figuring out what makes them tick. I have a dog right now in my kennel that has a butt-load of issues. The first week was not fun, but now I have formed a relationship with him and have a good idea of why he has the issues he has. Now we are having a blast! If I had used the old Koehler stuff with him, he would be though. Done.

There is no one way to do anything, and any trainer that tells you that is full of crap and afraid. Think outside the box. You would be amazed at how much you can learn just watching and playing with your dog. I recomend to everyone --- go to as many trainers and seminars as you can. Take in everything you can and do what works for you and your dog.

Ok sorry, off the soapbox and out on the field now......

Oh, forgot to mention, ball drive and prey drive are two completely different things..........

good to see you again GARD.  hope all is going well.

oh, i agree with you post.  times change as do are ways of training and more importantly, our understanding of our dogs.

send me a pm sometime and let me know how things are going with you and your pups.

dar and i got our sch 1 and hopefully our 2  by the end of the month.

take care.
john