Thanks Connie, you are WONDERFUL.. you explain things so succinctly. This is exactly what I need-- for Grimm to have a blow-off-steam session that links him to ME. He's hitting hormonal adolesence bigtime, and sooo distractable.. focus is tough for him right now. Sounds like this will help us with that! Maybe pet dogs need this DVD every bit as much as sport dogs, as they need, and deserve, a good workout to tire the bod and brain both. I've never had a DVD player before, but my fiance's PC has one now, so I get to order this!
Reg: 08-17-2007
Posts: 528
Loc: La Habra, California
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That's tough. I would start basic OB as soon as possible, but I wouldn't introduce corrections until AFTER the dog understood the game in Building Drive. So I'd say Basic OB --> Drive --> Pack Structure. Mostly, the pack structure document that Ed wrote, and an understanding of rank and dog psychology, will serve. I'd say for 80% of dogs(and owners). For the rest, you may need the video. Wait and see if the dog(s) push the limits, test you a lot, or if you have trouble establishing rank intuitively.
My 3 yo pet GSD loves to play drive and focus games from the Flinks DVD. It does calm him, entertain him, and I am sure improves our bond. I also use the Orbee ball as an obedience tool as described in the basic obedience DVD, and also do a little simple tracking with the ball. I see absolutely no downside to playing these games with the dog. His eyes practically sparkle when he knows we are about to play, or when the ball is in his mouth, and we are playing tug. He has a strong deep grip, but is very careful not to touch me with his teeth. It has in no way brought out any aggression in him, although I keep other dogs away when we play, just in case. I would not let a child play tug with him, of course, but fetch is fine.
You haven't menitoned how old your dog is. I started mine on obedience first, as he was a pet, and started on drive when he was close to a year old. It took a little time to build his drive. With my next dog I will do things a little differently, and introduce the drive/focus games much earlier.
I loved loved the 8 weeks to 8 months video. I also have basic ob and pack structure. I am half way through the pack structure and didn't like it as much. I want to order the building drive and I plan on watching BO tonight. Ed is EXTREMELY clear in the videos. I was so impressed. Huge fan. Not so much of the pack structure video. No everything can be home runs for everyone.
I have two terriors and for me the building drive and focus is very valuable tool. My dogs are so intense and if I do not try and channel that energy, they loose focus and are so excited, they can't even sit still to hear commands. My Cody would just jump up and down like tigger. I know it must be wonderful to have a dog that is going to be more than a pet, but I am really blessed by building drive and focus just for the focus it teaches, the concentration, the controlled concentration it teaches, and the structured use of my dogs drive. I believe whether pet or a dog with a "career" this video is extremely valuable. just my 2cents.
God bless you
If your understanding of pack structure is good, you can probably skip that one. I would say that it is the most challenging for a lot of people because quite often it challenges their mind set of what living with, and training a dog in a healthy and effective fashion is. Most people that don't train dogs don't really understand pack structure and how important it is as a prerequisit for training. After you have pack structure down your basic O/B and grip drive and focus can be done at the same time.
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Re: building focus in a "pet"
I've never had a DVD player before, but my fiance's PC has one now, so I get to order this! 
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