I have a little while before I have to deal with this, but I have had the problem before and didn't quite know how I should've handled it. When I took my pup ( 4 or 5 months) to a softball game or soccer game, he would go crazy! He would pull and charge while barking, wanting to get out on the field into all the action. He would see the ball moving around real fast with everyone running around the field and just thought he should be in the middle of all that fun. I thought this was a good thing, an early sign of good prey drive, but should behavior like this be ignored or corrected? I don't know if I should avoid ball games all together, correct or ignore the behavior. Thanks for any advice or help in the matter.

Curtis,
Thats a very good thing IMO, I would praise him, for several reasons, with people cheering and clapping, and him not getting distracted or feeling insecure, but still wanting to get the ball and be in the midst (which is what it sounds like the situation was) I'd praise him. However, I would limit the games, if anything it was a good enviromental socialization. Whatever you do, don't correct him for his drive!!! If your uncomfortable with having him lunging and pulling to get in the action, then don't bring him.

Thank you Chris. That is what I figured would be the right thing to do. I appreciate it.

Well, I respectfully disagree with the advice that Chris has given you. If you are bringing the dog to a childrens (or teenger, or adult...) ballgame, it is absolutely imperative that the dog should be well behaved.

SO, if your dog will not lie down quietly on command and STAY THAT WAY under ALL distractions until told otherwise by you.....then you need to work on your OB and build up to being able to take the dog with you to the games.

My 15 month old female is very high energy, and has tons of drive, yet when she is at a soccer game for my young kids, she knows what behavior is expected of her, and she is under my control at all times. She certainly wants to go after the ball, and she will focus on the ball intently and I see her sometimes curling her toes, LOL, but she WILL NOT move, even if the ball comes near her.

This didn't happen overnight, and we went to games starting last year when she was a baby. Believe me, she gets corrected for unacceptable behavior, and it didn't do a darned thing to inhibit or reduce her drive in the appropriate venues/outlets.

So my advice is to start with having the OB clearly understood by your pup, and then introducing distractions for proofing. Gradually build up until the dog is reliable, and then go and enjoy your ballgames!!!

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

Absolutely agree with Chris!

I can't imagine bringing my Mal to a kids soccer game. What would be the point? Squashing drive just so you can bring the dog to a game? I think we have a difference in opinion of what a high drive dog is. Buko is a great dog, but he would lose his mind, and I would screw up my obedience and give my dog corrections over and over for no reason. Nope, leave the little HIGH drive pup at home. Bring the Golden to the game if you want a dog there with you.

I appreciate the advice from everyone. I guess I need to decide which one I want more, to correct and possibly damage drive or leave the pup at home and not take a chance hindering the drive. To me, it would be just as easy to leave the dog at home while the kids play soccer. Although it is a good time to socialize the pup with all the people around. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I assume I should socialize somewhere else and not even chance it.

One more question. What age, if at all, would it be appropriate to teach a puppy/dog to behave well (possibly with corrections) if I were to take it to a game. Can a adult dog distinguish between his play time and the kids' play time? I am just wondering if the dog should learn to behave appropriately in environments like this, maybe even as an adult, or would this just be asking for trouble? I see valid points from two different replies above.

Well, I think it is sad that there are people out there who think that to expect obedience from their dog on a ballfield is in some way damaging to that dog! That is just my humble opinion!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Tell me this, is it not possible for high drive and mental stability to be wrapped up in one dog?? Do not underestimate the ability of a dog to be able to learn what is acceptable and what is not. I beg to differ regarding the thought that a correction will cause a dog to suddenly no longer have a high drive( and yes I AM aware of what high drive is...).

To add another perspective, do you think that a police dog can go to a soccer game and be unable to contain itself? I would expect that dog to be completely under the control of the handler.

Chris, would you say that Teus's dogs are not high drive??? Yet, I would be willing to bet that if he takes a dog of his to a soccer game they WILL NOT be dragging him all over the field chasing down soccerballs!!! It would be the result of the dog being under his control, not because the dog had it's drive inhibited.

Anyway, as I said, this is just the way I see it, so...to each his own I guess. I expect my dog to be able to go to soccer games or anywhere else that I want to go with them.

I see no reason a high drive dog can't have manners without loosing drive. My 15 month old has drive to die for yet will lay quietly at my feet if I tell him to do so. It all depends on the dog's on/off switch. Course he's a GSD, not a Mal. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />