I have taken Michael’s course on playing tug but if I try to play outside of my backyard or garage he shows no interest. Could this be a genetic issue?

I have a question regarding tug play. I've taken Michael's The Power of Playing Tug course, but I am having trouble generalizing it as a reward. My dog plays reasonably well and is excited to play tug in the absence of distractions. But if I try and use it as a reward outside of my backyard/my garage(training area) then he shows zero willingness to engage. He will sort of half engage in my front yard, but he won't really bite with commitment... even if I tease him with it. He looks right by me and out to the environment. In fact, I struggle to maintain engagement sometimes, as he can be extremely outwardly focused until he gets driven. Is there a roadmap to follow in terms of using a tug as a reward for other behaviours? Could it just be a genetic drive issue with my rescue GSD?

He will jump and chase his regular kibble on walks with great enthusiasm, and gets frustrated and amped up if I give him misses. I try to make the rewards events as much as possible if I'm trying to build him up. If I kinda build him up, mark him and try and transfer that energy to a tug he basically muzzle punches it and then loses interest. In contrast, in distraction free environments, and will launch at it and target it with great enthusiasm as soon as I release him. In his mind right now, walks are a time for focus and food reward events, not for play. I will try and get my partner to do some posting to try and build up the frustration, and will try not letting him get it for a few sessions.

Leerburg's Answer:

You may need to move from your training area VERY gradually, like one step outside of your garage and see if you can get play. Genetics definitely play a role in drive.

You may also want to have a helper hold him back on a harness while you frustrate him and then put him away without letting him tug for a couple of sessions. Of course, the dog has to first be comfortable with a harness and the feeling of pulling into it and also with a 2nd person handling them.

I'd do food work too, but try using something of higher value than kibble. For a dog that has trouble focusing in new environments, it's important to make the reinforcer VERY high value so they find it worthwhile.

I would do food work and tug work in separate sessions, he's not the kind of dog that I would expect to transfer from one type of reward to another at this stage of his development.