Anita Mid wrote 03/04/2007 07:18 PM Low drive dog #131736 - 03/04/2007 07:18 PM
Anita Mid Webboard User Reg: 02-23-2007 Posts: 20 Loc: Offline	Could anyone give me some advice? I have a beautiful german shepherd female from the police breeding lines. I got her when she was 18 months and she is now almost 2. Her previous owners refused to let her play tug of war and so it has been very hard to get her into a game or excited about the ball. She will retrieve but seems to do it out of duty not passion. Any advice to increase her drive and help her enjoy play? I am not looking to do schutzhund with her but want to increase her drive for agility.
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susan tuck wrote 03/04/2007 08:10 PM Re: Low drive dog [Re: Anita Mid ] #131738 - 03/04/2007 08:10 PM
susan tuck Webboard User Reg: 01-23-2006 Posts: 1608 Loc: Cali & Wash State Offline	Anita: Is she good with other dogs? If you have a friend or family member who has a "ball crazy" dog, take both dogs to a neutral area. Tie out your dog. Let her watch while you and the other person play ball with the other dog. Really whoop it up and make it look like the best game in the world. Do it close to her so she can see how excited you and the other dog get, but don't let her play, don't pet her or talk to her unless she gets animated as if she wants to play, then praise her up, but don't let her have the ball. Do this a few times and if she gets increasingly amped up eventually toss the ball for her and see if she wants to play. If so, don't play until she is tired, end each session with her wanting more.
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Angelique Cadogan wrote 03/04/2007 10:39 PM Re: Low drive dog [Re: susan tuck ] #131748 - 03/04/2007 10:39 PM
Angelique Cadogan Webboard User Reg: 10-18-2006 Posts: 1725 Loc: Las Vegas Nevada Offline	One thing too , you can have someone hold her leash and take off dragging a toy or a rag see if she gets excited about it and wants to chase it.Sometimes an simple game of chase will bring up a dogs' drive.They have balls with stings and you can tie it to a leash and use it to drag it. Just some ideas..
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Anita Mid wrote 03/05/2007 03:47 PM Re: Low drive dog [Re: Angelique Cadogan ] #131857 - 03/05/2007 03:47 PM
Anita Mid Webboard User Reg: 02-23-2007 Posts: 20 Loc: Offline	She is good with other dogs. I have tried throwing a ball with two dogs to see if she will 'get' the game. She loves running with the other dog but seems to ignore the ball. I will try both suggestions. Ball on string to chase and having her just watch a game of fetch and see if she is interested in either. Also how often and long should I be trying this?
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Guest1 wrote 03/05/2007 06:25 PM Re: Low drive dog [Re: Anita Mid ] #131873 - 03/05/2007 06:25 PM
Guest1 Webboard User Reg: 07-17-2002 Posts: 860 Loc: Iowa Offline	Does she chase bunnies or squirrels? The traditional thing seems to be starting small and quick. Like a feather on the end of a string and making it merely twitch.
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Anita Mid wrote 03/05/2007 07:16 PM Re: Low drive dog [Re: Guest1 ] #131879 - 03/05/2007 07:16 PM
Anita Mid Webboard User Reg: 02-23-2007 Posts: 20 Loc: Offline	Steven, I am embarrassed to admit she broke 4 bones in my wrist and dislocated 3 of my fingers while trying to chase a squirrel. She does not bother our cats but any other animal that runs is free game. What do I do with the feather once she catches it?
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susan tuck wrote 03/05/2007 07:34 PM Re: Low drive dog [Re: Anita Mid ] #131884 - 03/05/2007 07:34 PM
susan tuck Webboard User Reg: 01-23-2006 Posts: 1608 Loc: Cali & Wash State Offline	If I were you I would try the ball on the string or a rag first because it is easier to set up. As Angelique mentioned, tie it to a leash so you can pull it around really fast. With both techniques I think you should tie her out because the fact that she can't get it very easily will help build her excitement. Dangle it in front of her and drag it in front of her. if she shows any interest really praise her. Make her think you think this is the best game in the world! If she attempts to get it, let her grab it as you pass by and tell her how great she is for it. If she really gets into it, stop for the day because you want to leave on a high note and with her wanting more.
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Linda Walsh wrote 03/05/2007 08:02 PM Re: Low drive dog [Re: susan tuck ] #131889 - 03/05/2007 08:02 PM
Linda Walsh Webboard User Reg: 12-18-2004 Posts: 194 Loc: NJ Offline	Anita, I have a rescue dog who seemed to have little interest in toys etc. She also does have high prey drive for squirrels, deer, etc. As the others mentioned, getting her "frustration" / excitement level up is key. I've found that with my girl we have a bit of a routine, that now involves play. We walk for a bit, work some obedience into the routine. We then go to a ballfield. I keep her on her leash, and kinda tease her with the ball, it gets her worked up, then I eventually drop the leash and she will chase and run with the ball. I usually stop before she gets bored. I does not happen overnight, but its fun to watch the transformation. Good Luck, and keep your sessions short and FUN!! Linda
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Sandy Moore wrote 03/06/2007 09:14 AM Re: Low drive dog [Re: Anita Mid ] #131949 - 03/06/2007 09:14 AM
Sandy Moore Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2006 Posts: 2665 Loc: AZ Offline	Quote: Anita Mid Could anyone give me some advice? I have a beautiful german shepherd female from the police breeding lines. I got her when she was 18 months and she is now almost 2. Her previous owners refused to let her play tug of war and so it has been very hard to get her into a game or excited about the ball. She will retrieve but seems to do it out of duty not passion. Any advice to increase her drive and help her enjoy play? I am not looking to do schutzhund with her but want to increase her drive for agility. You didn't mention any other tools, such as a rag or a tug. You may have tried these but if not, is there any reason you specifically want her to chase a ball? She may just not be into balls at this point; try to get her interested in a small flicking rag to build drive. Leerburg has a DVD titled Building Drive and Focus, http://www.leerburg.com/101e.htm and in it B. Flinks mentions that you build drive with the item your dog prefers. The way you move it around matters as well (all this is discussed in that DVD). If it's building drive you want (and focus), that DVD would be an excellent one to get. Your dog would also be way more likely to joyfully retrieve an item she loves playing with and has a lot of interest in. Then you can work from there.
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Anita Mid wrote 03/06/2007 04:40 PM Re: Low drive dog [Re: Sandy Moore ] #132046 - 03/06/2007 04:40 PM
Anita Mid Webboard User Reg: 02-23-2007 Posts: 20 Loc: Offline	Thank you everyone for your advice. Sandy, what I really would like is for Robyn to like a tug toy that I would be able to easily use as a motivational toy. She will not tug. If I really tease her she will try to grab the toy or rag but she will let go as soon as she has it. She will occasionally walk with the toy but drop it if I so much as look at her. I have bought the DVD on building Drive and Focus but found it did not address the issue of building drive in a dog that does not have it or had been previously trained out of drive. I mentioned the retrieve because I have been able to train her to do that but as I mentioned it is not a passion for her, more of a duty.
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