how to boost a drive in a pup - Page 2

Do you let your dog haves his toys all the time?
If so that is the problem, they are your toys not his.
You have to bring out a kong or tug and show it to him.
Change your tone of voice, say wanna go play, tease him with the ball, don't let him get it etc...
Now go out side.
Show him the toy, when he goes for it, pull it away a few times, then let him get it and praise.
Sometimes it's good to have two of the same toy, after he earns the first, pull out the second.
(he should drop the first one and go after the second one)
Repeat the process a few times.

If he starts to lose interest after a while, take away the toys and go back inside.
After a few hours or when he gets another load of puppy energy, do it again.

Eventually you can throw the ball/kong or get one with a rope and if he brings the first one back, throw the second one.
Later he should be rewarded with it for doing things like come sit etc...

if a dog isn't after the bal lor another toy and hitting the sleeve at that age,i  would probably get rid of it. give it to a family etc.

Lees advise is pretty good, the only thing I would add is don't play with the dog until he's losing interest. Always try to end each session when your dogs drive peaks, it will build the intensity for the reward. Really you should seek out a club to work with that will evaluate your methods and the dog.

Alexander,
Sent you the information via e-mail.
 
MODS, can you explain why my yesterdays' post was deleted???

MODS, I apologize. OP has 2 threads with "DRIVE". My comment is in the other. You can delete my two posts, if you deem.

I have a female and she would'nt chase a ball or tug untill alomost 1yr old.Now she is the most ball crazy and sleeve crazy dog i have seen! Let the pup be a pup give it time! If you take their advice and give the dog to a family for a pet i bet you'll get a call in a few months to come get it because its crazy!

"give the dog to someone for a pet" came from me. i say again,if a pup at 4 or 5 mo. old is not showing drive i would get rid of it. i would say most breeder that breed working dogs would do the same thing.smith, your dog could be the exception to the rule. there are always those. i personelly can't afford to wait a year to see if a slow maturing dog is going to mature or not.. i wish you well with your girl.

I have a friend that has a GSD around 3 months old beautiful dog. I was playing with his pup and threw a tennis ball. Kids and other dog around so she was distracted. I would have to get her attention then throw it and sometimes she would show interest some time not. He has owned the pup around 2-3 weeks. It appears she has some drive but maybe due to new place and the distractions other things were more interesting. My GSD when she was a pup and until today will stop eating and will stop doing anything if she sees a ball. I have toys that I keep and some she has all day and that has done nothing to her ball drive. I dont think my friend cares one way about ball drive he may actually want a lower drive dog. His daughter enjoys playing ball with my dog so she may have a different opionion.
Reggie

The dog should be learning that when the ball comes out WE are going to have some great fun.
My master is going to play with me now.
The ball is just a tool to stimulate the dog into doing things with it's owner.
You can't expect results if you throw the ball into the yard and talk on the phone.
If you let your dog outside and never do anything with it, he will learn to make up his own fun.
If I let my dog out, she waits for me to come out.
If I let her out and throw the ball, then I go inside, she will bring the ball to the door and wait for me to come out.
If I give her the ball in the house and sit at the computer, she will put the ball at my feet and wait for me.
What my dog wants is me.....,  to go play, train, walk etc....  The ball is just a means to that end.

 How long have you had this puppy? How often do you play with him? How do you play with him?
What toys are you playing with him with? Many unknown things here. Need some answers first!!

leeshideaway,
 
EXACTLY! My one female I have to throw the ball in one direction so I can throw another ball for the male in the opposite. She wants to be faster than any one and wants both bals or if there's a third all three. My service dog and her were trying to get all three balls in their mouths I converted to large Kong balls. Ana will drop that ball at my feet and "tell" me how bad she wants it. Whining, wailing and picking up the ball and putting it closer or even on my feet!