I just watched Ed's video and how I wish I could have had that clip before I got my dog Cody. when I adopted him I had no idea what I was really in for. The foster people didn't tell me he was a jack russel mix or about his high drive. It was quite a shock when I brought him home.
I agree with everything Ed shared. It is a lot, a lot of work. Cody has to be exercised to get some of the excess energy, more than once a day. He desires lots of mental stimulation or he becomes a wild man. He thinks up his own games if I do not provide some or him. He has been the most challenging dog I have ever had so far, but he is the best dog I have had so far. He has a great heart, and his happiest moments are not laying next to us, relaxing and being petted. His happiest moments are when he is working on this commands. He loves to work. I admit I am not enough owner for him. THis site has helped considerably. I have learned a lot here. THank you. I would suggest to anyone who wants a high drive dog to remember you can't turn them off...even when you are not in the mood.
Just wanted to say thanks to all of you, and especially you Ed for having this site. I don't know what would have happened to Cody if I hadn't learned from you about dogs. I probably would have given into my impulse to send him back to the rescue place. Anyone else like to share their experiences with a high drive dog?

I can sympathize. About 5 years ago I stumbled across a Border Collie/Kelpie cross. I thought he was cute. Little did I know. Didn't take me long to figure out why he was looking for a new home (again). I sure wish I found this site when I found Coulter. High drive, high energy, dog aggressive, destructive, escape artist, etc. I tried all the goofy, silly advice from the vets, trainers, other owners and breeders. Nothing worked. I loved the beast, but wow!
About a month after finding this site, I started to notice a difference in his attitude. My family and I started to impliment the things I was reading about here. At this point, I didn't figure I could hurt anything.
Coulter is now much better behaved, seems much more relaxed (well, for him at least) and my life with him and the other dogs is much smoother now.
Although, I still have to wear him out by letting him 'pull' the truck ( I drive very slowly at the dog park when no one is around while holding his leash out the window and letting him think he's pulling the Jeep). It sounds terrible, but it works and he seems to enjoy it. I will probably never trust his recall even though it has improved dramatically, since I will never completly trust him around other dogs and we have a lot of stray dogs. But, with GW and LOTS of exercise, he is a whole 'nuther beast (and much more affectionate now) Funny how the harder they are, the more we enjoy them, isn't it?
Best wishes with your little beast (and I call him that with respect and affection.)

Without this forum I think I'd have put my ACDx to sleep. As a tiny pup he would bite in rage and was never sweet. There is no dominating him, crank and yank just lights him up. Brushing him with a soft brush was a major battle; without what I have learned here( well timed treats, marker work) bathing was sort of dangerous.

Instead, he's become a real partner. Today we have to go to a neighboring farm to pick up our 2 yr old bull. The farmer said, "Be sure you bring that dog, he could be tough to load. " Makes me proud. I'll let you know how it goes!

The small dog in my sig is a Jack x Husky. 3 month old. That picture is a few weeks old.
And the Dobe will be 9 months old on Aug 11th.

Yeah. I have lost some hair and gained some blood presser. Hahaha.

I can appreciate Ed's video this week. I think it is something people should know.

We are dealing with this right now.
We bought a mini dachshund for my 11 yr old daughter for a pet......what we got was a mini Mal.
Drive through the roof.
No matter how much she exercises him he is never "done"
We are not covering the mental aspect of things for him and are trying to figure out different things for him to do.
He wants to be a schutzhund dog...but with that long back, I don't dare.
Tug and bite....that's what he wants to do.
We are going to look into earth dog, and I'm going to train him to track with her.
Lots of work......lots and lots of work

 Quote: willie tilton

We are dealing with this right now.
We bought a mini dachshund for my 11 yr old daughter for a pet......what we got was a mini Mal.
Drive through the roof.
No matter how much she exercises him he is never "done"
We are not covering the mental aspect of things for him and are trying to figure out different things for him to do.
He wants to be a schutzhund dog...but with that long back, I don't dare.
Tug and bite....that's what he wants to do.
We are going to look into earth dog, and I'm going to train him to track with her.
Lots of work......lots and lots of work

Nice! I would defiantly show up to some trails with a pimped out dachshund!

Keep us posted on the little guys progress.

I will...
I had another idea......My son just told me the rats are getting bad in the barn......the pup is about a year old........
I was thinking of going out and shooting a small rat with the high powered pellet rifle and tying the carcass to a flirt pole for the little guy to start out on.

Let my daughter and the pup go to town with it....
If I do it right, no more rat problem.......

That sounds like fun!
Mine like to dig the moles out of the yard and then drop them at or on my feet.

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

Mine like to dig the moles out of the yard and then drop them at or on my feet.

Odd behavior for a doverman, haha I have one that likes to seek out the possums on the night walks, figured out not to walk so close to the buildings after he snagged one. Those critters just creep me out, respectfully.

It's one thing to read about a "high-drive" puppy...but it's a whole different experience to actually see one in motion...constant motion!!!

My 4 month old pup, Jackson has more high drive than I thought he had...I realized this after seeing Endy's similar behavior in yesterday's video. Before the video ended, I realized that two daily walks a day plus play time on a tether line are simply not enough for this type of pup!!! An exercise pen will be set up in my house by the end of today...

Also, I have to praise the virtues of marker training!!! Watching my pup's learning process, seeing him figure things out quickly without a command really blows my mind. And it didn't take me long to realize that if I implement the training/commands when he looks like he's about to spin out of control, I can guide his attention back to me which helps to calm him down and lessen the mouthing/biting.

Another thing I've realized: he loves the challenge of working for his food! I place half of his allotted kibble in the "everlasting fun ball" (http://leerburg.com/1109.htm) and watch him push it around with his nose to get the food out. He loves it!