Hi. My pup never gets enough tug. If I work him for a few minutes, he wants to keep going. When I'm not playing with him he brings toys trying to get me to play. If one doesn't work he brings another. Pretty soon I've got a pile of towels, tugs, balls and chew hooves next to me! Do I need to keep the sessions down to a few minutes even with this much drive? Also, how can I get him to go for the ball instead of the string? He destroyed the "Flinks Model" ball on a string that I got from Ed and now I'm left with a Go-Frr ball. How do I change his focus to the ball? Do I need to wait until the ball fits in his mouth better? He loves the Flinks Model but like I said, he goes for the string. Thanks.

well, I don't agree with leaving toys around all the time. The toys are yours and you allow him to play with them when you want him to, that simple. Our dogs are given toys as pups, to play with while they're small, with a lot of interaction, and they're also used for redirection. When they get a bit older, toys are primarily motivation and reward for doing a good job, we will allow them to play with toys occassionally on their own, but do not leave toys out for them to play when they want to. Ours now are old enough to understand that if we bring out a toy, it means time to work to be allowed to play with MY toy.

Basically, you're allowing your dog to tell you when play time is, rather than doing it the other way around. It also isn't up to him when tug work is done, you are supposed to always leave him wanting more, building desire. If he's always going for the string, shorten up the string (hold more of it in your hand). If his mouth isn't big enough for the ball, get a smaller ball.

Yeah, those rottenwhiners have short little muzzles and litte mouths...

Play and prey drive out the a$%, You lucking dog. Now the pressure on, because with a drive like that, the only reason he may won't be a Champ is YOU. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Just kidding, but when you read some of the replies that are posted about no drive or little drive or scray dogs. You can see how lucky you are. Good luck in training your pup, he sounds like he going to be a Champ, even if just a pet.

Oh yeah, Mike's Comments about the toys, is a popular opinion of the some of the better trainers on this board. Its my opinion that he is, one them. Not one of us or should I say he not a beginner like me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the replies. A few more questions to clarify: Are you saying nothing at all should be left out (e. g. nothing to chew on)? What about when he's in the crate?

You can leave chew toys around or bones. In the crate you can give them a safe chew toy as well.

The point isn't so much that he can't have toys, the point is that he should learn that toys are to be played with by you and him. . .not just him.

Also allowing free access to toys means that he won't be as jazzed up about playing with them when it comes to training time. You will be using the toys as rewards and in foundation prey work, so limiting the pup's exposure helps keep them special and very exciting. (i.e. more rewarding and useful in training)

I have the answer to the insaitable play drive problem. If the dog has play / prey drive that won't quit and it starts to get on your nerves, call someone you trust who knows a thing or two about police / sport competition dogs, get the hips shot and certed, put the dog on an all natural/ holistic diet and give him away. If it should be a sable shepherd with a decent pedigree, call me, I'll try to place it for you but no garuantees.

Seriously, allow the dog's appitite for the ball to overwhelm the both of you and use this play time to build a strong, trusting relationship. Refer often to the Flinks method. Rich Pastucka showed me a similar theory years ago. The Flinks method is complete with a much larger picture in mind.

In so far as the toys or chew items for the dog, I am not a fan of it, unsupervised. I will not allow my dogs to be left with any item without at least passive supervision. As funny as it sounds initially, it is actually not funny at all. I laughed like hell when I first heard it but though on it for a minute and realized there is nothing comical at all about it. I have heard of a case, 1st hand, of a dog being left to her own devices during the course of a normal business day. She, a year old Heeler, found a potato chip bag, began to consume its contents and eventually sufocated in the bag. Funny until you think about coming home to it.

Understanding that a chip bag is not a ball, bone or squeaky toy, Kongs didn't always have holes in them. My advice, for what its worth, is that you keep an eye on your new friend, at least passively, while there are toys around.

Best of luck to you and your new team mate.

Sounds like a good idea, VanCamp.
AB