 GSD with high prey drive-question
#388625 - 02/05/2014 05:11 PM |
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Hello, I'm new here and this is my first posting.
I have a GSD that I rescued at 2 years of age. I've had him for a little over a year. When I first obtained him he would want to chase, fight and bite everyone and everything outside of the core family. Over the past year I have watched as many of Mr. Frawley's videos as possible and also purchased an Einstein E-collar. Zeus had made GREAT progress. I can but DON'T walk walk him off lead. I do however walk him on a 21' lead with a harness.
Now my question. Because he still has a high prey drive and loves nothing more than chasing squirrels, rabbits and deer. Is it okay once in awhile to take him to secluded woods and let him have fun doing what he loves...CHASING? I have zero fear of losing him as he will not leave my sight for more than a minute or two. He is very good on recall and basic commands.
I many other questions but let's start here.
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Re: GSD with high prey drive-question
[Re: Robert Bingel ]
#388626 - 02/05/2014 05:42 PM |
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No, its not ok Robert. Satisfy his drive chasing a ball.
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Re: GSD with high prey drive-question
[Re: Robert Bingel ]
#388627 - 02/05/2014 05:44 PM |
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IMHO, prey drive is the most valuable tool in your training toolbox. Play ball and tug with him, and learn how to use those items as training rewards. He'll have as much fun chasing a ball as he would killing a rabbit.
If you are so inclined, a GSD with good prey drive is easy to train in many sports. Bitework (protection in IPO and ring sports) is a great outlet for prey drive. It will also instill some discipline and better control around people.
JMO
Sadie |
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Re: GSD with high prey drive-question
[Re: Duane Hull ]
#388632 - 02/05/2014 07:32 PM |
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IMHO, prey drive is the most valuable tool in your training toolbox. Play ball and tug with him, and learn how to use those items as training rewards. He'll have as much fun chasing a ball as he would killing a rabbit.
If you are so inclined, a GSD with good prey drive is easy to train in many sports. Bitework (protection in IPO and ring sports) is a great outlet for prey drive. It will also instill some discipline and better control around people.
JMO
If only I had time I'd love to train him in bitework. Unfortunely I work 6 days a week and my only day off is Tuesday. As you might know most activities take place on the week-ends. I spend as much free time as playing tug, fetch, obiedience and walking as I possibly can. Zeus has become very good on walks with joggers and other dog walkers. He will only show aggression to another dog that shows aggression towards him or a person that I don't tell him "it's okay". If I don't tell him OK or put him in a sit position DON'T come within 8-10 feet of me or you will get bit. If he see me relaxed and friendly towards a person he's their best friend too.
I will take the advice of not letting chase game animals...even though it's his biggest joy.
What is the adverse effect of him chasing game as long as he's good otherwise? Is it just confusing to him that he can do it sometimes but not others?
Thank you for your replies.
BTW, he's never caught any game animal. Squirrels laugh at him, rabbits evade him and deer flip him off...LOL
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Re: GSD with high prey drive-question
[Re: Robert Bingel ]
#388634 - 02/05/2014 08:30 PM |
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Downside: some day, there will be a cat. And he will catch it. Random reinforcement is the greatest motivator on the planet, ask any gambler.
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Re: GSD with high prey drive-question
[Re: Robert Bingel ]
#388635 - 02/05/2014 08:32 PM |
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Speaking only for myself, I thought from your OP that you needed some constructive outlets for him. IMHO, if your time to spend with him is limited, the time chasing game would be more productive spent on a constructive outlet for his prey drive. Time spent crittering is non-productive, whereas a game of ball with some random OB thrown in would be useful in desensitizing to distractions.
Sadie |
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Re: GSD with high prey drive-question
[Re: Duane Hull ]
#388641 - 02/05/2014 10:33 PM |
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Speaking only for myself, I thought from your OP that you needed some constructive outlets for him. IMHO, if your time to spend with him is limited, the time chasing game would be more productive spent on a constructive outlet for his prey drive. Time spent crittering is non-productive, whereas a game of ball with some random OB thrown in would be useful in desensitizing to distractions.
Please don't misunderstand me, when I say letting him chase something in the woods. When we go to the woods I bring his tug. We play fetch and catch, work on recall, heeling, etc., he gets to go wade in the creek and sometimes he'll see a few deer or rabbits and squirrels. I was just wondering if letting him go was good or bad. We don't go just for chasing game in the woods, it fun time off lead for him and me too.
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Re: GSD with high prey drive-question
[Re: Robert Bingel ]
#388643 - 02/05/2014 11:24 PM |
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It is against the law in many states to allow dogs to chase deer.
I would not reinforce a dog's instinct to chase critters....it's just a matter of time before it will come back to bite you in the butt...it can eventually cause your dog to be injured or worse. Just a non productive thing to do.
MY DOGS...MY RULES
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Re: GSD with high prey drive-question
[Re: Robert Bingel ]
#388647 - 02/05/2014 11:49 PM |
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COMPLETELY "BAD" IDEA!
Would you let your dog take a steak off the kitchen table and NOT think he wont do it the next day because you told him not to do it that day?
What would a child do if you thought it was cute because you saw him steal a cookie out of the cookie jar....then the next day slap it's hand for doing the same thing.
TOTALLY mixed messages!
Training a dog well is all about consistency!!!
Dogs running deer in my state will get them shot on the spot.
My granpa shot my great uncle Edgar's dog when chasing deer on his (granpa's) farm.
The conversation between the to men was
Granpa - "To bad! Judd was a nice coon dog".
Great uncle Edgar - "Yep"! "Sure was".
old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks |
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Re: GSD with high prey drive-question
[Re: Bob Scott ]
#388648 - 02/06/2014 03:30 AM |
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Dogs running deer in my state will get them shot on the spot.
My granpa shot my great uncle Edgar's dog when chasing deer on his (granpa's) farm.
The conversation between the to men was
Granpa - "To bad! Judd was a nice coon dog".
Great uncle Edgar - "Yep"! "Sure was".
In VA it is legal to hunt deer, squirrel, rabbit, turkey, bear with dogs. That's not the issue.
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