Ive only made a few inquiring posts on this website, but I live in Macon Georgia, and my male GSD who was bought with intentions of Schutzhund has no drives, and I don't want to use methods to force him to do anything he doesn't have in him out of fear. So I'm looking for suggestions on other things I can do with him, hes nervy, but he does pretty good with obedience when food is motivator. Should I try for the BH just to get my feet wet? and maybe and AD or would it be kinda dumb to do all that without any hope of getting a ScH1? anyone do any obedience in the AKC stuff? Thanks everyone for your answers.

James

I have seen some pretty driveless dogs learn to do bitework thru prey. Sometimes its a matter of working with a decoy that understands the dog.

What led you to the conclusion that he is driveless?

Have you thought about tracking? I'm not sure but I think you need a BH first before you can obtain tracking titles.

Well thats actually what I was told, we were in high spirits when we purchased him that he was gonna be a great dog and we'd learn the sport together. But when He was a pup I was reading all I could about how to raise him right and hilda at central texas sch club was doing her best to help me. But whenever I tried to play with him using a ball on a rope he would just lope away and smell the flowers, he showed no interest or gave any indication that he cared, so then we tried squeaky toys, and all kinds of crap, and he just isn't interested, he just wants to hang out and sleep on the hardwood, hes very mellow. And so when we joined the lone star sch club Ricky and rob both agreed right away about the lack of prey drive, but thats not the half of it, being so inexperienced with raising a working dog, the moment I tried to bring him out in the arena for them to get a look at them he immediately stood the hair up on his back and starting acting all sorts a fool, since then I was told he was to nervy and pretty much told that bringing him back out was not necessary. And thats where it ended and through the use of food Ive taught obedience, and I just have competitions between him and my golden while my wife judges.

Mr. Parker, Tracking is something I have considered Im looking now for a dvd or books from leerburg to help educate me on how to get my dog started on it. However is that something that has to be imprinted when they are real young, or is it picked up fairly easily?

You can do AKC style tracking. You can start at any age. It is typically done in the early morning.

 Quote: James Cipollone

And thats where it ended and through the use of food Ive taught obedience, and I just have competitions between him and my golden while my wife judges.

What about Rally-O, which I think sounds really fun:
http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/131705/page/1#Post131705

You sound like you like motivational obedience training. (I do too.) Why not take it to a higher level?

That actually sounds pretty cool, and the lady that started the thread is from warner robbins which indicates that its going on in the area. I live right down the street. thanks Connie Im gonna search it out on the net now.

Well, my oldest female GSD is a bit nervy...Rally-O and Agility are the best things I have ever done for her! Brings out her confidence and has made her a "do anything, go anywhere" kind of dog, along with consistent training and fair leadership.

Agility is one thing we have thought of maybe trying, hes not really a go-go-go kind of dog, Im not sure of the technique's used by you guys do get your dogs to do what they do, But to see that kind of confidence in him would be the best gift ever, he's super cunning, I say cunning instead of smart because the way he figures out how to get out of stuff to be with me is crazy. i.e turning his kennel over so he could jump on it to help him clear the 10 ft chain link fence at my parents house when I had to board him there while in iraq. Its priceless to see him do it. thanks melissa