I've been reading this board with for the past couple of months and have found it to be a great source of information. I currently have lovable mutt whom my wife rescued off the street and we have having a great time in obedience and agility classes.

My question is this: I know what it takes to live with a pet dog. How do you all integrate a high drive dog like a Mal into your everyday lives? My goal is to have either a working GSD or Mal join my family in the future but I was just curious now about what you guys do.

Any info appreciated

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

I think you should do some more reading and and be careful not to confuse high drive with high energy. They are not the same. If you don’t have experience with a true working dog then you should try to find some people in your area who do and keep an open mind that many people don’t have what they think they have. Just observe the dogs and listen maybe takes some notes on qualities that appeal to you and those that don’t. You will find the dogs that do the best are some real motivated-motor-scooters when put to task but in general are medium energy dogs that can be tolerated in a home environment. Some will try to excuse the dog’s energy level as drive but in reality the dog maybe the 2-gear kind…fast and very fast.

I like both Mals and GSD. I own GSDs personally but have trained Mals and other breeds as K9s who go home to families at the end of the day. Selection is the key and you can only select well by knowing what it is you are looking for so get out some and look around. My youngest member of my family is a GSD.

I don’t let my heart or any breeder sell me on what I am seeing. Aris-any-dog von Yahooed can seem impressive to a novice and few if any breeders will admit they are selling the sizzle and not the steak, so be careful. You will find a some good breeders on this board if you are looking for a puppy. The best one are he one who won’t sell you a dog because you can pay their asking price. I feel a good breeder should roll you over with questions and he or she should have more then breed history knowledge. I am impressed with any breeder who tracks their puppies and their acomplishments.

Good luck.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

High energy comes with high drive. . .usually.

Here is your answer. . .a tired dog is a good dog.

 Quote:

Originally posted by VanCamp, Robert:
High energy comes with high drive. . .usually.

Here is your answer. . .a tired dog is a good dog.

Hmmmm, I must be lucky then, because all 4 of ours come with an off switch. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Seriously though, the second part of Kampster's answer is very true. If you've got a high drive dog that you don't do SOMETHING with, you're going to have problems. The "on/off switch" comes with maturity in some lines/breeds, others though seem to be on all the time.

And for an inexperienced person looking at a working breed, heed Dennis' note...
High Energy doesn't always mean High Drive!

Is high energy a polite way to say a dog is hyper and if not what is the difference? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the replies. My Ob. trainer also trains PSDs so every week I've been attending a tune up training session where officers bring their dogs(on their own time) to work the dogs. Some of them have retired the dogs and just do it because they (the officer and the dog) enjoy it.

I think I was making the High Drive=High Energy connection because most of these dogs are both <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> although the ones that have a more dominant prey drive seem to be higher energy. Coincedence?
I'm starting to learn basic training helper skills. After reading several Sch. books I was reluctant to take on that role due to the importance placed on the training helper but he limits me to only working with the retired dogs at the moment and supervises me closely. It's been a great learning experience.

A tired dog is a good dog. That's been my motto with mine so we do a bunch of different activities which we both enjoy. I've read in many of the threads on the board that with a working dog you need to be careful with what types of play you do so they don't get locked in on prey, etc. Is that true? Do you limit the amount of retrieve games you play?

Thank you again for helping a new guy out. Some of these questions are definately from a beginner but from reading Ed's articles and postings I think it's important to do everything possible to get off on the right track.

Maybe if you didn't live in one of the hottest parts of the country your dog's might be on more often than off?

Just a guess. . . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Kapitan,
I live where it's humid, hot as all %@#. My two older dogs are laid back until something gets their interest. Not much phases either the GSD or Akita. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
HOWEVER
The 11 month bitch GSD is a whole different story. Always bouncing off the sides of the kennel. Although not much bothers her (stray dogs,cats,or the other two kenneled next to her)
She's always wanting to do something!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Tracking today the weather was nice, temp 75 plus, slight breeze. We worked two tracks and she could have done another. I hope I can channel her energy and drives into the right direction when we start doing protection work.

Sometimes I think she is part MAL. :rolleyes:

Fanni's Breeder had just the type pup I was looking for. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

We have to remember that DRIVE and ENERGY can be Cultivated to our NEEDS. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

 Quote:

Originally posted by VanCamp, Robert:
Maybe if you didn't live in one of the hottest parts of the country your dog's might be on more often than off?

Nah, it's just that I know enough to teach my dogs the difference between inside manners & outside manners/training <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

One day you'll figure out how to do it too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hi Jeff,
I own both GSD's and Mals and there is a difference in energy levels, but drive levels are about the same (if that makes sense)

Mals (and Dobes, my first breed) need more exercise just to be content. While all my dogs are probably too energetic for the average person the Mal REQUIRES regular exercise just to blow off steam on a daily basis. I know some GSD's are this way but the Mals and Dobes just flat out love to run...

I have one Mal, 2 GSD's and one Welsh Corgi at this time...the Mal will run all day and never appear to be tired....All live in the house and believe me when I say, you can tell when I miss a day of exercise for these guys!!