April 21, 2011
Can I add drive to my dog?
Full Question:
Can I add drive to my dog? 
Ed's Answer:
Every dog genetically has a certain level of drive. Let's say that the highest drive possible is "Level 10" and the lowest drive is "Level 1." Some dogs genetically can go no higher than "Level 7 or Level 8," each dog is different. Some dogs can be genetically "Level 3" dogs. This means that no matter what we do to a "Level 3" dog he cannot show more than "Level 3" drive (please do not send me email asking how to determine what level your dog is. This cannot be determined through e-mails).
What is often seen is a dog that is not working up to his genetic potential. In other words we could have a dog with a genetic potential for "Level 8" drive only working at "Level 3" drive. This can happen because the dog’s drive may not have ever been properly worked - so the drive is in effect sleeping in the dog. A "Level 8" dog that was never worked with a ball as a puppy could show no drive for a ball because it does not recognize the ball as a prey item. This dog can be worked with to bring the drive level up to it's genetic potential. The key is to identify the items that the dog likes and then work with these items in training to increase the drive. Through play, frustration and training the drive will increase in a dog like this.
Another situation can be that a dog has been worked by a handler who does not understand the principles of motivational training (see my article on this subject) and compulsion. If a trainer is what I call a "YANK AND CRANK" force trainer it is going to be very difficult to bring a "Level 8" dog up to it genetic potential.
Conversely, no amount of work is going to bring a "Level 3" dog up to a "Level 8" drive level. You cannot put something into a dog that is not genetically there. The perfect example of this is seen every day in show (confirmation) dogs. The reason we never see German show dogs do well in sport work is that their genetic potential is Level 3 - 4 or 5. The American show dogs have "Level 1" and maybe "Level 2," never any more than this. This is why you cannot make a show dog into a police dog. It simply will not work.
What is often seen is a dog that is not working up to his genetic potential. In other words we could have a dog with a genetic potential for "Level 8" drive only working at "Level 3" drive. This can happen because the dog’s drive may not have ever been properly worked - so the drive is in effect sleeping in the dog. A "Level 8" dog that was never worked with a ball as a puppy could show no drive for a ball because it does not recognize the ball as a prey item. This dog can be worked with to bring the drive level up to it's genetic potential. The key is to identify the items that the dog likes and then work with these items in training to increase the drive. Through play, frustration and training the drive will increase in a dog like this.
Another situation can be that a dog has been worked by a handler who does not understand the principles of motivational training (see my article on this subject) and compulsion. If a trainer is what I call a "YANK AND CRANK" force trainer it is going to be very difficult to bring a "Level 8" dog up to it genetic potential.
Conversely, no amount of work is going to bring a "Level 3" dog up to a "Level 8" drive level. You cannot put something into a dog that is not genetically there. The perfect example of this is seen every day in show (confirmation) dogs. The reason we never see German show dogs do well in sport work is that their genetic potential is Level 3 - 4 or 5. The American show dogs have "Level 1" and maybe "Level 2," never any more than this. This is why you cannot make a show dog into a police dog. It simply will not work.
100% (11 out of 11)
respondents found this answer helpful
Can't find what you're looking for?
100% (11 out of 11)
respondents found this answer helpful
