May 13, 2011
My dog has great prey drive. He loses focus when I try to use a toy for a reward. Should I correct him?
Full Question:
I have a male GS 15 months. His temperament is excellent. He is a very happy and a confident dog. Now that I have him it has become even more apparent that the female did not have good nerves. Anyway, I have started doing bite work with the male. That is going great. He has a full, strong grip. He really enjoys the work.I have been trying to do something with him every night (socialization, obedience, playing) he has so much energy! Now that the holiday are here my trainer is taking 2 weeks off. We are going to start formal obedience training after the holidays. My question is this: his ball drive is so intense I am having trouble using it when teaching him hell. Is it OK to pop him if he tries to take the ball from my hand or will that discourage his ball drive? He also does it with the jute. It's like he gets so excited, he just wants the toy and can't focus. Should I just stop using the toy for now?
Do you have any other suggestions I can do to keep him busy? How often should I be doing obedience work with him?
Andrea
Ed's Answer:
You need to understand that some dogs have so much prey drive that a ball or toy can not be used for obedience work, because it’s such a distraction. It sounds like this is what you have. If you try and continue to use toys you will just promote problems - the solution for these dogs is usually to go to food for obedience work.
Take a look at my tape titled Training a Competition Heeling Dog.
I will also warn you that dogs like this are very easy to get locked up in prey drive in bite work. You need to be very careful of this. Make sure that you understand the foundation of defense: The First Steps of Defense.
Take a look at my tape titled Training a Competition Heeling Dog.
I will also warn you that dogs like this are very easy to get locked up in prey drive in bite work. You need to be very careful of this. Make sure that you understand the foundation of defense: The First Steps of Defense.
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