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by KAL on 15 October 2006 - 17:10
I am relatively new to the GSD world and would be grateful for any advice with regard to developing drive in my dogs and newly acquired puppy. I recently started to encourage my 8 mth old bitch to bite and pull at tugs etc, which she seems to really enjoy. How often should I encourage this - daily/weekly? Similarly I have a new 11 week old puppy, again should I start encouraging drive now/when he is older and again how often?
Many Thanks in anticipation.
by DesertRangers on 15 October 2006 - 18:10
First question is what are you planning to train the dog for?
Remember you can enhance the dogs ability but can't build soemthing if they don't have it.
For my working dogs I start as soon as they can walk by playing with them, getting them to chase a sock on the end of a rope etc.. Only do this for a very brief amount of time and never to the point that they get tired of playing.
Remember in playing tug the pup always wins and gets the toy. Use progressively increase the fight as they develop and fight back to keep the item.
by KAL on 15 October 2006 - 19:10
Thanks Desert Rangers, dogs are for show which includes schutzhund work. I appreciate your guidance and will ensure that any work with tugs remains enjoyable for the dogs.
by GSDfan on 15 October 2006 - 20:10
I would recommend Leerburgs video "building drive and focus" with Bernard Finks. Especially good for beginners. If you work on drive it can be improved in medium drive dogs, but yes some dogs just don't have it regardless.
Regards,
Melanie
by ziegenfarm on 15 October 2006 - 22:10
just be careful with baby teeth.....especially in tugging. you can't hurt them by letting them chase a prey item and then carry it, but tugging when the teeth are loose.....not a good idea.
by gsdlvr2 on 15 October 2006 - 22:10
Like Desert Rangers,I start mine as soon as they can walk. I also think the Leerburg video on building drive and focus is very good and worth looking into.They have some other good one's as well. If my memory serves me right,no guarentee it does, your dog might be old for that video but some of what is in there would surely be good at any age. Check with leerburg,tell them where you are and where you want to be and they will help. I don't know your dog but it is true that if the drives are not already in there to the degree you are hoping for,all you can do is maximize what is there. Good luck
You also might ask the breeder what work,if any,they did with the dog.
by Mosemancr on 16 October 2006 - 01:10
As GSDfan said, "Building Drive and Focus" by Bernard Flinks from the Leerburg site. My boy didnt seem to have to much potential at first but now were on our way to a BH. I play/train about 15 minutes twice a day outside and whenever inside. Ive got a fake squirrel on a rope attached to a stick, he goes nuts over it. You can sub the squirrel with burlap but it usually gets shredded too fast here.
by Mosemancr on 16 October 2006 - 01:10
Also try those red solid rubber kong balls. They make great movement with all the bouncing which really promotes drive.
by DesertRangers on 16 October 2006 - 01:10
I have seen some male working dogs that were very slow to develop their drives. My females always had very high drives at a very early age.
by Mosemancr on 16 October 2006 - 03:10
Yeah Ive heard that as well about Males.
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