temperament question - Page 1

How do you distinguish between a high drive 3  year old GSD and a hyperactive one?

Maybe they are both high drive. One can settle, the other maybe not so much. :-)

Or maybe the dog is average drive, but doesn't get sufficient physical and mental exercise to allow it to settle.

Hyperactive (but not necessarily high drive) typically lack focus, and can be hectic in nature, "here, there, everywhere" whereas a high drive dog may (or may not!) have a ton of energy but can be successfully focused and directed and is very intense in the task at hand.  

I just shocked a family tonight with Aria- she is cat-like indoors, quiet as a mouse, absolutely calm. You'd think she had no drive at all if you saw her in the house. Outside, with a ball or tug or sleeve or whatever, she's nearly dangerous. They were floored. I explained that THIS is high drive, not high energy/hyperactive. You don't need to settle for bouncing off the walls to have a dog capable of work. There are balanced dogs. They exist. 

Personally, I want an on/off switch...  Nan

 

That would be for any type hyper/high drive dog...

a handler/trainer/owner must teach a dog what to do, when there is nothing to do.