Anita, since your goal is the agility sport for your GSD, it would be a good idea to post your question in the Agility Section of this forum. It's bound to be read by other agility people here on the forum and they would be able to advise you on whether even a tug or rag or ball (or building that kind of prey drive) is a necessary part of the exercises.

I don't know anything about the agility sport, but it wouldn't seem that even carrying a toy would be a necessary thing to learn, as they don't carry anything when in the ring. The agility people (and when you go to the agility section, you can see who they are) would also be able to tell you what it is you need to build in your GSD for agility.

The Building Drive DVD is primarily for Schutzhund or Protection or similar sports. So it may not even apply to agility training at all. That's where the agility folk can help you. Not sure how often they're on the forum, but you can probably reach them by private message (if they log on) or email.

I did think I should try build drive before I asked to much of Robyn in agility. I have been trying the different suggestions here but it is a slow prosses. Maybe that is my problem - I want to see results to soon. Robyn is starting to look excited when I bring out a toy and she is not dropping the toys as much so there is improvement.

It can be a slow process at first. I got a 18 m/o Border Collie last fall who had about zero interest in toys. I knew he had prey drive because he was a natural at sheep herding. But when it came to anything else it seemed he had ADD. He'd chase a ball then run right past it onto something else . His confidence was also a little shaky.

I worked with him for a good month to before he started to be really interested in a toy. I started out with a squeaky ball because he liked to hear it squeak. I had to get really, really hyped up and excited about it as well. I'm soo glad I live in the middle of the country because any neighbors watching would have thought I was nuts!! At first playtime would last for 2-3 minutes so I wouldn't loose his interest. This was back in November.

Now I'd say he has a medium/high level of ball drive, and it continues to build the more I work with him. He is also much more confident. We go outside and he's watching my every move for me to bring his toy out. And training time has become lots of fun for both of us.

Good luck and keep at it!