** How Do u Deal with ''Undrivable'' GSD ??? ** - Page 1

How Do u Deal with ''Undrivable'' Dog ??? Especially its a nice GSD ''Show Line''  With Nice Pedigree and he might be presented to the BH And SchH 1 Later on ... Food Drive is little bit too, But he is Biting on tug like ''Agression Drive'' Not a Prey-Drive ... Im Worry Abt the '' Fuss '' ....
Many Thanks For ur info ...

Undrivable? You sure you checked the spark plugs and the tires have lots of air? Not missing the steering wheel, is it?

(Sorry, couldn't resist...) 

How old is the dog? Are you working him too hard? I was tracking my dogs EVERY DAY to get ready for a competition, and my male got so he didn't even want to get out of the car!    My female OTOH, was still wiggling with excitement at the start of the track.

When all is said and done, some dogs just have more drive than others. A lot of it is genetic, and showlines generally have less than working lines.

There is only so much you can do to build the drive if it's not there genetically.  A friend of mine has a Leerburg video called "Building Drive and Focus". You might want to visit the Leerburg site, and purchase it to see if it can offer some tips.

What do you mean, you're worried about the "Fuss"?  Does he not focus enough on you? What are you using to keep his attention? Food or a toy? 

 

@ Sun Silver : I was pretty sure that some one gonna turn it on Car Domaine lol lol ...
He have 20 Months ,

Abt the ''FUSS'' He is not focus enough , Ur Right ... Im working With food ... i will surf on Leerburg's Site ...

Many Thanks ...

As I indicated above, my male has less drive than my female. Food works a lot better with him than toys to keep his attention when heeling.

Another thought - you said the food drive is also a little low. What treats are you offering? I have a bitch that has no drive at all if I use bland treats but she really perks up and will do anything asked when I use liver. She's a showline x working line. My working line dogs seem to have high food motivation no matter what type of food, but not the showline cross.

xxx,
You need to build the drive.   You have to develop the drive and teach the dog to play.  You need to make the "play" sessions fun.  You can use a tug, I prefer a ball on a rope.  You need to become exciting and make the toy come to life.   Once the dog is crazy for the toy you can begin to teach focus.  After the dog has learned to focus on you then you can begin the "fuss" or heeling.  

You have to crawl before you walk and walk before you run.  The dog has to enjoy the "game", then the game becomes obedience training.  Only when the dog views obedience as a game and enjoys it then it will stay in drive.  You teach the dog to really want the toy, that the toy is fun.  Then the dog will find ways to get the toy.  The dog will begin to offer behaviors to manipulate you to give him the toy.  But, this won't happen until the dog really wants the toy.  I have never owned a dog that did not have super prey drive for a toy.  That includes rescue dogs that I took in that had no drive.  It took time, usually a month then the drive was off the charts.  My dogs learn that playing is fun, chasing a toy is fun.  Time spent with me doing obedience is the most fun.  

You will not be able to do "focused' heeling until you teach the dog that toys are fun and put the dog into drive for the toy.  Then the "fuss" can start.

FWIW,

Jim