Hey all- another puppy question for ya. Since you all helped so much with the last one I figured I would bother you again <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My GSD pup is now 9 weeks old and is showing great promise, but I am worried that I am moving too fast and expecting too much. We have doing alot of socialization with people and other dogs, he is very outgoing and friendly but not really and "in your face" kind of puppy. He goes up to everyone and chews on their feet and will take treates but is not a real pest about attention.

I have been doing a minor amount of prey work with him and he does not seem to be at the level I think he should be. I have tried many different toys and the one thing he really responds to is a long stick. He will chase it well when I drag it on the ground for about 2 minutes then its off to sniff and eat leaves and sticks. Sometimes he is not even interested in the stick at all and just lays down and watches me make an ass of myself in the backyard. When he does this I walk into him and try to engage him and generally I will get a bit of play out of him at that point. I then stop the play and put him up, under the notion that I should keep him wanting more. I let him "get" the toy alot and when he does he runs away with it and starts that damn keep away game. I try to get something else intersting to get him back to me but he is more interested in tearing the stick up and completly ignores me. He LOVES to play tug of war and will do that for ever. He is VERY food driven and i have been starting minor obedience work with him. getting him to come into me for a treat and stuff like that and it has really helped us bond.

So my questions are this- What should I be expecting from a pup this age? Should I even be introducing this type of play with him yet? Should I just tug with him and never let him run off with the toy? Is there a toy or article that others have found simply irrestistable to a young pup? Should I be making smaller and closer "prey" movement instead of bigger motions?Which of Eds tape deal with starting the young pup in prey work?

Sorry for the long post and the multiple questions but I figured with the wealth of knowledge on this board what better place to ask.

I’m a little confused. You first said that you are not happy with his progress because you cannot find a toy that interests him but then you say he plays tug forever. With what does he play tug with? Getting a dog to return the toy is really just teaching the recall. Use food and praise to teach the come and then use it in the fetch game. Rule of thumb. If you are wondering if you are doing too much with a pup. You are. Ed will be releasing a new puppy video. Be on the lookout!

In the meantime, Ed has a tape called Bite Training for Puppies, that you might want to check out.

Sorry for the confusion-

VINCEP- The pup will play tug with anything he gets his mouth on- shoelaces, hands, grass, sticks, waterbowls, older bitches tail and this annoying squeeky toy. His name at the breeders was Gator and he lives up to it. Grabs on and wont let go always full and hard, my hands will never be the same. I guess what I was trying to do is the beginnings of the "two hose game"

I do not plan on doing bite work with him, I am hoping he will be a SAR dog. Although I guess the love of a toy no matter how he plays with it is a plus- I must stop projecting onto the poor guy. I have been a fun recall completly sperate with treats and he is doing great. Thanks for the advice, I will keep my eye out for Eds puppy tape and I will take it easy, I do think I am pushing too hard- so I guess I am. Thanks for the reality check-

Mspindler- Thanks for the advice on the bite training tape- I guess they are all worked in prey drive so it will help. By the way,OT here- were you the one looking for a DC area PD who may be intersted in a female? I might have a lead so PM me if it was.

Yes, that was me, but I have found a home for my dog. Thanks though, and if for some reason it falls through, I'll let you know.

I'm still confused? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

What are you doing with this pup, SAR? So you are working to build desire for a play reward?

No bite work right? Or are you also considering Schutzhund/protection as well?

Use a tug on a string. Drag it around, swing it around. Make it hard to catch, and only let the dog have a few catches and games of tug. It is a little easier to tie the string and tug to a short staff, you will have better control. It allows you to tug in different directions and swing the tug at different angles. DO IT ALL GENTLY, 9 wk pup.

The tug on the string works well because you can drag it around, like you were doing with the sticks. Gator should latch on, then you can kinda hold the pressure and walk up to play tug.

If the dog goes crazy for the tug, and from the sound of it he will, then you focus all your work to foster an intense desire for the tug and playing tug. That will be your reward in SAR work.

You can also look at the Flinks video to see some ball work.

For a good tug you can buy puppy tugs from Ed, or you can go to a large outdoors store with hunting supplies and buy a dummie. A hunting dog retrieving decoy. They make them out of canvas and have sizes for puppies. G.I. Joes has 'em.