I have just finished watching Ed’s new tape Training Drive Focus and Grip with Bernard Flinks. It is the best 2+ hours I have EVER spent on dog training. It shows you step by step how to build drive and focus in your dog. Ed’s videos real people with dogs of all abilities and temperaments. Most have never had any exposer to this training. This allows you to see what to expect from your dog from beginning to end. A friend watched this video with me who never trained a dog before in her life and was fascinated. (It’s not just for us dog geeks). Bernard’s English is very understandable and his handling is awe-inspiring. If you do one thing this year to improve your training skills purchase this tape. You will not regret it!!!

To Ed:

The pressures on. Now let's see you out do this one.

Ok Vince, thanks for that testimonial <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Seriously, tho, are you doing the ball-on-a-string w/your dog now? What results??? I think I really need to see it again. I do like putting the dog into drive before doing *any* work, esp obed.
I'd be interested to hear from any of you who have watched the tape and been following it w/your own dogs.
We're terribly sporadic around here while the construction crew is tromping all over the training field . . .

I have a 8 month old CJ pup that has prey drive coming out his behind. He is extemely excitable and the calming part of the program is exactly what he needs so that he can focus his drive correctly. The video was very good and came out just at the right time to help me. I am going to the Flinks seminar in October and hope to have made good progress by that time. Ed is right when he said this is hard work. If I am not breathing heavy after 3 minutes I know I am not doing it correctly. Plus I found that the small circles make you dizzy if you have a dog that need to be walked fast.

I do have a question though. My other dog will hold the prey nice and calm will I am petting him and then all of a sudden will calmly open his mouth and let it drop to the ground and make no effort to pick it up again. It seems like he is telling me that this petting stuff is boring so lets start the game again. I am not sure if this is a bad thing or not. The video did show a dog that did something similiar. Bernhard wasn't to concerned but it didn't say if it was ok to continue like that or if there was something different to do. Any ideas about this???

After watching the video again I beleive I have found the answer to my own question. I need to try and inticipate when he is going to voluntarily out and either walk him, out him, or play with him. I am probably going to fast and expecting him to stay in my arms too long for just starting out. There is definitely a lot to this work. Can't wait for the seminar in Oct with Bernhard.

I ordered my copy yesterday. I'm anxious to see what the ball on the string is about.
I've got another video on
Schutzhund Obedience by Denis
Steurs, he uses the ball on the string, only trouble is it is in Dutch, which I don't understand. It will be nice to hear an explaination in English :-)

<I'm anxious to see what the ball on the string is about>

We'll never tell <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> But what the heck kind of drill bit do you use on those hard rubber balls??? That stuff is weird . . .

Joy:

My new SchH dog is 5 weeks old so I’m too busy training the forced retrieve to work on prey drive right now. LOL. But I am working out the kinks on a pet so that after a couple of months I will be ready for my SchH dog. My pet (and I) are showing improvement in only 2 days! It’s great.

Triton:

Yes you did answer your own question but I will just add that the petting was too much of a distraction at this stage. Like any other distraction you must take a step back and work your way up.

I also have the Bernard Flinks video and find it the most instructional of all of the tapes I have from Ed. Since my future competition dog is just over 8 weeks, I'm not sure I can (or should) be trying this? Right now I'm just using a rag on a string to help develop prey drive. However, I have started using a kong on a cord with my 14 month old male Boxer who was obedience trained using compulsion. My hope <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> is that I can make obedience a more enjoyable and energetic experience for him. Has anyone ever tried to retrain obedience in drive on a young dog who was inappropriately obedience trained using compulsion (at too early an age no less)? I was ignorant of good training just months ago, but thanks to websites like this, video's from Ed (especially the most recent one with Bernard), and books from Gary Patterson I feel I have a clue now at least. BTW, my 14 month old seems to be picking up the ball on a cord game fairly well, though he also drops it when I pet him in the same way Triton described. If I can ever develop his prey drive (assuming he has enough) to get some focus, I will be very pleased. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Jordan:

I have. And I can tell you that it is a very slow and unrewarding proccess. You must use level 10 praise in all obedience work. Depending on the temperment of the dog is how quickly and fully he will bounce back. Good luck

I am really looking forward to seeing this video. I ordered it a week ago, and it usually takes 5-6 business days to get here to me in Ontario, Canada.
I am training an assistance dog for my son, the focus aspect is the most important to me. I have used a flirt stick to get him built up in drive, so that I can use the ball as reward for him. He also has to learn to retrieve objects that I choose. I'm hoping this video will give me some really good pointers for building a solid relationship with the dog. He is doing well, and so am I, but the learning never stops. All of the posts have indicated that this video is really important for leading up to SchH, PPD etc.. training , but reading between the lines I believe that it can be used to build a focus and a relationship with any dog.
The jury is still out on that one, I have to see the video first, but I really am looking forward to it. I'll let you know.