prey drive-GSD pup - Page 2

I am in the "build the drive" category. Yes, some dogs have more drive than others, but if there is even a little drive I think that can be built on (with the right dog). The right trainer can bring out more drive, but it takes patience and work. My 6 month old started out not playing with toys much. She would play with some, but get turned off quickly. I have slowly been building this up with her for the past 2 months and now she is pretty toy crazy. She's even doing very well on the puppy tug. Of course, she did show promise of aving drive when younger. It's not like taking a dog with NO drive and trying to get it. IMHO that wont work. However, a dog with some drive can be worked with and the drive can improve. Again, this is jut my opinion.

How did I do it? I never let my pup KEEP her toy. She only gets to play with it when I am working with her. Also, I always end on a good note and leave her wanting more. If she starts to ignore the ball or not focus, I take it away and put her up. However, I try not to let it get to that point. I quit BEFORE she drops her attention. This way, she is always left wanting more. I also am VERY heavy with the praise when they're young and need to be built up. The praise really worked with my girl and she learned that playing with the ball made ME happy and her happy. Last but not least, don't withhold the ball. I see a lot of people hold the ball from the pup who DOES want it. The people wait to long to give it to the pup and the pup loses interest. I might tease the pup for a few seconds, but as soon as they lunge or bite it I play tug and let them have it. Always make it fun and let them win (someone already mentioned this, too). Play tug, but after a few tugs let them win. From that point, you can slowly build up the length of time once they have good confidence.

Also, a Malinois as already mentioned is a different breed. It's almost not fair to even compare them with GSDs, I think. Most of the working ones that I have seen I would not want to own. They are way too much for me, but that is my prefernce. Some people like that, but my dogs are all personal pets as well as working dogs. A Malinois would be hard to live with in my opinion. It would be like having the energizer bunny living with you. The drumming would get old after a while, lol. I like and respect a good Malinois, but know enough about my life style to not buy one.

What are your goals with the pup?  Obedience can be trained with food.  Drives do develop differently and can be developed.  Pushing it doesn't always result in a good outcome in a young pup.

My 5 month old puppy is finally showing an interest in balls.  I found that I had to give her a ball she liked.  Not tennis balls.  I got two more squishy ones that she can bite on and sink her teeth into.  Now she will chase and bring them back.  But only in the house.  outside, she is too busy smelling things and looking around still.  but it is progress.  she will lunge at her toys, but I can't get her to bark. 

Heres one for you Guys
I never play with a sack or Tugs with a Pup at home meaning in the Garden after it is three Months old
At that age it is beginning to know what it is all about So any playtime with a Tug or sack is done only on the working field
For if you continue to play the same at home it will think Home is training, and the working field is play and the pup will not react in the same way on the working field
Steve

I could go on and on all day with this topic alone. First I would like to say that malinois and gsd are very different breeds, they not only mature faster but are usually very high prey driven and quite eager to please. They do learn extremely fast but it all depends on the individual dog... I have seen very quick and high prey driven gsds before.  As for your puppy having low drives. That seems very possible (haven't seen it but the way you describe him) I too imprint all obedience very young and with food. No food drive then I have alot more problems. I personally wouldn't buy a dog in the first place if it didn't have high food and prey drive but I have seen many people who do well with what they had (usually because they had the dog before getting into sports, etc.) I am assuming you have a trainer that knows what they are doing.... use as many resources as possible, other GSD owners, club members, your trainer, internet, books, etc. If you plan on keeping this dog and doing protection sports with him the prey has to be there, even if it is a low drive you can build. Frustration!!!!

I keep my dogs in crates so they know when they are out its time to work. I do not allow my dogs to be pet by people but have them around as many people as possible. I do not want them to seek affection from anyone other than myself. I do not want them overly aggressive towards an individual who is non threatening and I do not want them timid around them either. I take my dogs to as many places as possible and introducing all kinds of sounds, smells, distractions, environments as possible to be sure they are confident and view everything in a positive manner. I tease the crap out of them while they are in their crates with toys so when they come out they are so ready to grab that tug and hold on for dear life. I do not show affection or feed until work has been done. Again I could go on and on with details but these are just some ideas for you. There are plenty of ways to build. You just have to ask yourself what degree of drive are you looking to have? How far do you want to go with his training? Feel free to pm me if you have more specific questions. Hope this has helped and good luck

Emmm....I would disagree with PatriotAmanda on a couple of issues....
Firstly, frustration isn't the way to drive building for a pup which doesn't have much to start with.  The pup has to like and enjoy the play/ game before adding frustration into it.  Maybe a bit of a tease to excite the pup to begin with.  Frustration will kill drive if done improperly.

Secondly, I would not advocate to tease the pup when it is crated.  The crate is a resting den and the pup should learn to be calm in it.  Even letting it out from the crate should not be fussed.  Once out from the crate, set a routine like letting it pee in a specific spot and then go for a little walk.  Let it explore abit on its own.  Learn to read its behaviour and when it time to play, see what he does.  You have ample of suggestions already.  Work through them patiently.

Again, I could talk more in depth on this detail all day. What I mentioned was only an overview. I am assuming the dog has some level of drive or wouldn't be pursuing play. Again haven't seen the dog but I guess that was something I should have stated a little better. There are plenty of techniques in building drive. There are people who would say that teasing in crate is contradictory to the dogs denning nature but most people do not. I want my dog to perk up and think about training all the time! When I get into early stages of civil and defense work they are in crates in the car or house etc. Just because this is their relax place doesn't mean they should overlook a potential threat, etc. After letting them out to do their business I begin playing with them or having someone hold them while I tease with toy...(when I say tease I mean flailing the toy around and making a big deal about it in front of my pups) then continue playing with them.... they do lots of carrying and NO OUTS at an earlier age. I want them to feel as tough as possible and then when they drop it on their own I wil continue playing and teasing and will usually repeat this several times (depending on the drive and stamina of the puppy) and when we are done I crate the puppy and tease them a little in the crate.... leaving them with a lasting thought in their head that next time they come out they want to hold that toy as long as possible. Some days I allow them to carry the toy and if they will hold it even get crated with it and other days I make sure they are put away being teased to add the intensity or next time. I don't want my pups thinking things are just easily done my dogs really have to work for that toy. Again, could go more into detail but that's just what I do. :) Good luck, let us know what works for you.

My female was the same way when she was younger. Pretty low drive for rag and ball. Even food was low but good enough to work with, to imprint anyway. I was gonna take her back and puff, she started waking up that same day. It was a challenge but it paid off in the end. She is definately maturing slowly. Defense is beginning to be more pronounced. I'm getting ready to title her next month.  The next one, I hope will have more drive younger. So, if the drive is there, it will come out.I also used Bernard Flinks building drive method. It helped alot. The flirt poll helps also.  I hope all works out for you! Good luck and happy training.