When I do drive building sessions with my 7 month old GSD, he goes NUTS if I play with his ball or tug with another dog but he isn't half as crazy as when I do the drive building myself. He goes bonkers if he sees another dog playing with a ball or tugging on something, though. He goes through the roof. Why is this? Is it just jealousy exhibited towards the other dogs or is it drive?

...Anyone?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

traci,could you be more specific? does your pup not like you working with other dogs? or is it that he don't like you to play with "his" toys. you lost me there.

My problem is that when I do drive building with my pup he doesn't go half as nuts as when he sees other dogs playing with toys (tug or his ball). I don't know if this is because of jealousy or high drive that I haven't brought out in him during our training sessions. I wanted to know if someone could perhaps clairify why he does this.

JMO and you may want something totally different from your dog than i do, but the key word to me is "nuts". that's exactly what's going on when your dog watches other dogs. i would not call that a constructive thing. same thing happens when young pups are tied out at training while older dogs are working. this is a great idea if the pup is focused on what is going on, but if they are just barking at the other dog, it would be better if they remained crated.
at 7 months, your dog is capable of a fair amount of focus and calm. that focus should be directed toward you, the handler. when you work with building drive in your dog, you will probably not get the same "reaction" that the dogs get, but the drive you build will be constructive and useable on the training field. if you allow the dogs to build drive in your dog, that's what you're going to end up with when you get onto the training field. a dog that is "nuts" for other dogs, not focused on you, and a real challange to train.

Thank you very much, Patricia, that's the answer I'm looking for.

I did have one other question, though...is this insanity a matter or drive or jealousy? Is he going so crazy because of his drive for the toy or because he just wants to get at the other dog and/or just possess what that dog has at the current point and time?

Thanks!

once again this is JMO, but i think initially something like this starts out as prey drive and i think it is more common among the dogs that are really really high in prey drive, but if it is not properly channeled it can easily turn into something else......dog aggression or whatever it is that makes them "nuts." its almost as if they get in the "zone" and are completely focused on that one thing, blocking out all else. you can holler at them and its as if they don't even hear you until the activity stops. then the "nuts" subsides also. do dogs experience jealousy? ofcourse, but if it is a factor in this equation, it is a very tiny part. good luck with the dog and try to keep his focus on you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You're spot on, Patricia. If he sees another dog playing with a toy, tugging or retriving...he is in a whole 'nother world. I could scream until my face turns blue and it's like I'm not even there. He totally zones out and his whole body almost quivers.

Tracy,
Drive building exercises were developed to maximize your dogs potential. Un fortunately your dog only goes crazy when he sees you working with or watching other dogs working in prey drive. Ed mentions that you are not going to put prey drive into a dog, they either have it or they don’t. I don’t think your dog is acting out of jealousy. I’m leaning towards the fact that he sees another dog in a predatory mode/ body language and that is what is turning him on. Now you have mentioned that you really can’t get him excited about the drive building exercises with ball or tug. I’m not an expert in this field yet (any input would be appreciated) But I think if you were to tie both dogs 10 feet apart, and let him watch the OTHER dog click into drive. He will then pump himself up. At the peak of his frenzy quickly transfer the prey item towards the dog and see how he reacts. You may also want step down to something easy to bite like a rag or towel instead of a ball or tug, due to it’s hard texture. If your dog targets the object your in business, but if not you may have a long road ahead of you. Just take it in stride one day at a time.