My rescue year old female Rottweiler has little or no ball drive, but will chase airborne insects in the field for hours. She will also go after the vacuum going back and forth. When a ball is rolled, she'll look at it and maybe go after it a little until it stops rolling.

She was given to me at age 9 months by a couple who had gotten her to "grow up with the baby." They worked, had school and the baby so not much time for the dog. She jumped on and bit them. They had gotten her from the breeder at age 3 months.

My previous Rottweilers had been very easy to train even without food. This dog is more challenge even with food. (She'll do a command and then undo the command, looking for more food.)

I haven't found satisfying training classes in my area yet or insight from them. They all have been against use of the prong; this dog is a strong puller and I'm a senior lady. I lucked out years ago with a more knowledgeable k-9 trainer to work with me and my previous rescue dog. This dog is also stubborn.

Any insight on the ball vs insect interest will be appreciated. (She also goes crazy for fur being twirled on a horse lunge whip. I don't do that much since running so fast in a tight circle might hurt her? I'm also trying to get her interested in the tug and she will do this some)


She is a good watch dog and the goal is to train her for carting.
I also have another bitch and they get along. Due to crime in the area, I've always had multiple dogs, up to 4, males and females and (knock on wood) no relationship problems. (I recently found why this might be) But am curious about the ball/insect drive.

Ball vs insects Pat? I would guess she's spent a lot of her life entertaining herself. If she's going crazy for fur being moved with a horse whip, that sounds to me like she has some usable prey drive.

She's old enough, I would use a prong for the pulling. Nothing too rough, but a few corrections combined with a clear release.

When you say undo a command, do you mean she won't hold a sit until you release her, that type of thing?

 Quote: Pat Hawk

Any insight on the ball vs insect interest will be appreciated. (She also goes crazy for fur being twirled on a horse lunge whip. I don't do that much since running so fast in a tight circle might hurt her? I'm also trying to get her interested in the tug and she will do this some)

I would get the Micheal Ellis Power of Playing Tug DVD. He teaches you how to create more of a drive just by the way you play.

In the treats department, what type of treats are you using? Have you tried different things like hot dogs or other treats to see what his favorites are? Have you tried marker training? Here is an e-book on it and its benefits . http://leerburg.com/1284.htm

As for the bugs and ball. I have the same issue with my whippet mix. Unfortunately I have never gotten her interested in a traditional ball. However anything that squeeks she loves so maybe try squeeking balls. Or flying objects like this or these (my Maggie LOVES these) . Good luck and I am sure more people with more experience in this department will chime in.

You may want to check out all of the free podcasts and ebooks on the site. They are extremely helpful .

PS- We work for pics

Thanks.

She won't hold a "sit" etc. until release, but undoes and looks to do it again for a treat.

I've been insisting that she go down and hold w/o a treat and we've been able to get a few seconds on this. Everything is total baby steps with her.

I think she might be smart, or at least self serving.

Pat, how old is she now?

I'm planning on getting Ellis tug DVD as a Christmas present to me.
I've come to the conclusion I'll have to rely more on DVDs for training although there is nothing like working with a knowledgeable trainer.

For treats, I slice up wieners and microwave them a bit to make them sturdier. I have baked chicken breast with garlic and sliced up also. Liver is a real attention getter, but it is messy.

Interesting that your Whippet mix is similar.
Thanks.

She just turned 1 year old, had her first heat which lasted about 5 weeks; well, I kept her controlled for 5 weeks. I did read that better fed dogs have longer heats, but I'm not sure if this is her case although I do feed 5-star or raw food.

She is scheduled for spay this month. Reason I waited on spay is reportedly Rottweilers have more resistance to bone cancer if spay is after sexual maturity (hormones).

Is your purpose in tapping into her drive for general training purposes and exercise? You aren't planning on doing any bitework with her, right?

Those whirl toys squeak?

Can you get either those or the flying squirrels to be kind of a slow, low toss?...I've never been able to get a Frizbee do what I'd like.

No bite work planned.

Want to get her where she is more receptive to training. I'm thinking she was ignored at critical development points.

My previous dog had also been ignored, ws totally wild but wrapped differently.


Edited by Pat Hawk (12/09/2010 10:11 AM)
Edit reason: reduce wording