Hi,
I recently bought Bernhard Flinks Buiding Drive & Focus DVD. I was impressed and I have watched a couple of times. I need some pointers, hope someone can advise me.

Bernhard Flinks said drive -> focus -> command. The DVD also mentioned that in a normal situation the dog is ready to train the Out command after good firm grip of the prey item @ about 14 months old & the heel commands come after the dog learn the Out comment.

Here are my questions :
1. If I am training a dog for drive building (before learning the Out command), how do I take the prey item from him (his mounth) if he doesn't drop it ?

2. How can I end the drive building exercise ? Bernhard Flinks said when the dog drops the prey item, back to drive building again.

3. If the heel command comes after the Out which mentioned in the DVD, does it mean that I don't train the heel exercise at age about 15 or 16 months old ?

4. Once the dog learns the heel command and the prey item is hidden. Bernhard Flinks hides the prey item inside the jacket using a peg. I foresee challenge to pull it out and drop it. Or instead of dropping it, should I put it out and move the ball to the right side of my body as per the drive building approach. How should it be done ?

Thanks

I have the same questions. Just bought the DVD too.

1. To take the prey item from him, you can try to get him to drop it for a piece of bait or a toy. If he will not drop it for anything, then it is time to teach the out.

2. You need to end the exercise while he is still interested. I let him catch it and then he gets to carry it into his kennel or off the field.

3. Heel does not have to come after the out. It depends on your dog.

4. You may also hide a small prey item under your arm.

Hope this helps. If anyone disagrees please feel free to explain why. There are many ways to train a dog.

hi.. thanks for the advance.

1. drop a piece of food to let the dog drops the prey item is good. but is it an alternatively way ? can I snatch it from the dog or put the dog in the down position & slowly open the dog's mouth to take away the prey item ? what are the pros & cons ?

2. I learned that not to do the Out command too often. So should I apply the same approach (item 1) to end the game ?

Many Thanks