I have a 10 week old Mal pup from working lines. I have had her 1 week at home. Have been concentrating on some socialization and exposing to different enviroments , ensuring no negative experiences. I play ball and tug with her.

1) I have soft cloth on fishing poll, tied to jute. I let her chase it when she catches and mows on it. When she lets go i try and put her back into drive for more chase.


2) Will roll soft rubber ball ; she chases and retrieves to a spot about 3 feet to my left always drops balls and then goes looking for something to eat ???

Should I just concentrate on playing with her in these games and not worry about any particular training nuances at this stage ???

I have the Benard Finks " Drive ,Focus " video

Thanks

I would advise you that all of the "games" are in fact early training sessions..just very informal!

With the retrieve, I would use food to get her to bring the ball back to you. Try rolling the ball, and then praise her like crazy when she picks it up, then call her to you(I would also have a long lightweight line on her collar, just in case you need it..)and when she brings the ball back to you offer her the food. Make it food she would really like, hot dog, liver, etc...anyway, when she spits out the ball for the food, give her a tiny bit of food( thumb nail size) and repeat. If she doesn't come to you, use the lead to gently guide her, and only give the food when she gets to you WITH the ball.So, if she drops it, excite her with it so she picks it up again.

Don't do this too many times, 2 or 3 x's max, at a time.ALways end up on a positive note, after a successful session. And better to do things like this several times a day , for tiny sessions, than big chunks of time.

Hope this helps <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good advice from Jeannette. I might add that with a young pup like yours, don't throw the ball more than a few feet initally, and keep the pup on a light line or leash. If you throw it to far with a young pup, they are then out of your "area of influence". for lack of a better term.
"Bite Training for Puppies' is another good one from Ed's videos/DVDs.

Yes, I loved that tape...I'm really gonne have to get my tapes updated to DVD's soon....! Anyway, yes, as Bob said, it is a very informational video, as ALL of Ed's productions are!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Sasha is doing fine on the homemade cloth tug. She cant quite get the kong or ball tug on rope bite properly. Still a little big for her mouth at 11 weeks. Prey drive seeisons last 5 or so minutes and she doesnt seem to lose intrest. So far so good.

Thanks

I'm glad to hear that you are having success!! Most important, HAVE FUN, which I'm sure you are <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Good luck and enjoy that baby, they get BIG sooooooo fast!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Sasha will be 12 weeks old tomorrow <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

1) Did well climbing small falls at state park this week

2) Still prefers soft clothe on fishing pole to jute tug or ball on string

3) reliably retriving 4 out of 5 times a kong from 10 feet sometimes as far a 30 feet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

4) Still imprinting and play at this time; she is growing like a weed and healthy as a horse

The experiment requires you continue

Regards

SOUNDS LIKE SASHA IS OF TO A GREAT START. REMEMBER TIME ,TIME AND MORE TIME. SHE IS JUST A PUP. IF SHE HAS THE GENETICS AND THE RIGHT TRAINING YOU SHOULD HAVE A NICE FINISHED PRODUCT.MAKE SURE AT THIS AGE YOU ARE NOT PUSHING TO HARD AND EXPECTING TOO MUCH. ENJOY YOUR PUP!

Yes, sasha is doing well. This week I started simply getting her out and letting her run around without any tug,ball once a day. I live in the country so is possible without her coming into harms way. I am conscience of pushing her too much and I know I lack patience , which was a fault of mine, espically when I first started training various scenthounds years ago.

Regards