The passing total score for SchH has always been, 70, 70, 80 for a total of 220. You can pass now with a 70, 70, 70, with a total of 210. But, you cannot move on to a high title without scoring an 80 minimum in protection.

Oh yeah, Math boy here <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Don't know what the heck I was thinking. I probably need a good slap in the head to wake up. Those little 2's fakin me out so I think they are 1's. Duuuuh.

Julia,

I saw that you took the dog to see some protection training. Did you have her work with the decoy at all? If you didn't, I would recommend it. A good decoy should be able to work her and see what motivates her for the bite - which is likely to be what motivates her in general. It's possible she has some prey drive for the sleeve (just never had any developed for toys), although it's also possible that she has a healthy dose of defense that the previous trainer used to get her titles.

Given her age and titles, though, I might guess that they used compulsion to do her obedience. So you can either work with it or try to retrain through positive methods - one of the Sheila Booth books that Ed sells talks about how she did this with a puppy she had sold and was returned.

I would probably take her to see a good decoy/helper and see what she does. If they can help you figure out how and why she bites, you'll know a lot more about her.

good luck,

Alan...

The sweet taste of success... is so yummy.

This is an update to a post I made on September 28. At that time I had a dog with zero toy/prey drive... nothing excited this dog... but we have been working with her in the tinniest of increments. Praising her and rewarding her for showing even the slightest interest. We still haven't got her on the ball on a string yet... but we have made so much progress that I just had to Glee <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />for a moment and give others who might be having trouble building drive with their dog some hope. 6 weeks ago… this dog would have just laid there and looked at us like we were crazy.

I hope were doing it right.

Here are a couple of clips of her: If you see any overt mistakes we are making or have suggestions, please feel free to share.

http://www.references-etc.com/drive1.mpg

http://www.references-etc.com/drive2.mpg

Good work Julia!

I would recommend keeping the toy lower (at the level of the dog's head), and closer to your body (or hubby's, as the case may be). Yes! You have to be quicker with the toy, and kind of whip it backwards, and yes! you may get teeth on your hands and some good bruises, but it's worth it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Also, hubby seems to have delivered the toy after a somewhat-long sit, when her drive wasn't the nutsiest. It's hard when you are in the middle of it all and trying to get just that one *extra* burst, but you really do want to try to let her win ONLY on her best efforts.

You should be commended, going from no toy drive at all to where you are now! Awesome job!
T

I second what Tracy about keeping the prey item lower. You talked about baby steps but you are making her focus without really having a lot of drive for the ball. Keep all of the work just about building drive right now. She is not ready for focus work. Make lots of drive with her and then fight with the item. Also you need to let her catch the item sooner and more often. With a lower drive dog if you want to keep her interest, make her more involved and let her win a lot more. As I said before, focus on building drive, the run, and bringing her into your arms.

I remember you saying that you have the Building Drive and Focus DVD. If that is the case, you really need to review the entire DVD before you start doing drive work again. There are a lot of things that go into this that you are missing. Good luck.

Thanks Tracy and Jake for your feedback.

I will review Finks video again tonight and implement your suggestions...

It was you Tracy that said a few posts back:

 Quote:

Also, keep these little drive building sessions to a minute tops. You can do it multiple times throughout the day, but if this were my dog, I'd settle for the tiniest reaction, over-reward, and call it quits. Make a fuss over whatever toy you are using, and put it away.

That's what we have been doing and it is working. I have do doubt now that she was force trained... but we are working her out of that and I see a much happier dog emerging.

Cheers!

 Quote:

That's what we have been doing and it is working. I have do doubt now that she was force trained... but we are working her out of that and I see a much happier dog emerging.

I'm so psyched for you....keep having fun! It often takes time for compulsion-trained dogs to realize that it's okay to try NEW things. (Joanne Flemming-Plumb calls these dogs re-trains...and you work with them just as if you were relationship-building with a new puppy. I have both her tapes and the Leerburg/Flinks video....both are excellent.)

She is lucky to have found you guys...so willing to be patient, and always striving to get the best advice and best exposure for her. Kudos!
T

 Quote:

Ed Frawley: Sucess is measured one second at a time.

What a true statement. This is yet another update to a dog that arrived from Germany last summer with -zero toy/prey drive. Some more experienced then I, said either the dog has it or they don’t.

I don't want say that every dog will turn around like my dog has. But we took baby steps and rewarded the hell out of the slightest interest. This “all business” dog is turning into a playful kitten. After our walks I always do the send away... at first she would run 20 paces and down automatically (anticipating the down command) today she romps around the yard like a puppy. She especially likes stirring up the cedar mulch we have around our trees. And flower beds. And when I give her the down command… she is right on… but she never knows when it is coming. I will put her in a sit upon entering the house and then go hide. I will call her and she will find me every time. I love it.

It started with Ed's cream cheese filled teaser ball... progressed to a squeaky stuffed squirrel (compliments of my beloved children)... finally made it to the Ed's Mini tug... and this past week… THE BALL ON A STING.

A few weeks ago... I gave her Finks choice in toys and regardless of the toy offered to her she chose the dumbbell. Today... for the first time she chose the ball. YES!!!

I guess I just want to provide hope for those with a seemingly low drive dog, especially if the dog is already an adult when you get it.

Here is an updated video clip of her playing ball.

http://www.references-etc.com/marsha/airjordan.mpg