Hello. I have a 12mos. old female GSD posessing what I am learning is a strong prey drive. Could someone help me with some ideas on how to divert her attention from playtime and get her to concentrate on me for 20 to 30 min. out of her day. At first I thought she was just stubborn but I'm thinking now she's just very easily distracted, possibly if not probably due to the prey drive. I just want to be able to get her to pay attention to me for some basic obedience and manner's training.

Thanks,
Mark

Can you give more detail? Have you done anything with the dog, constructive? Or has the dog been doing whatever it wants for the last 12 months? Your dog has to have a reason to pay attention to you, have you given it a reason?

Well, I've spent limitted time with her. I'm sure it hasn't been enough and certainly not as much as I've wanted or needed to but my life is kinda slowing down right now (this summer is somewhat slower than usual at work). I was finally able to break her from jumping up on us. She is hard as nails and no matter what I tried she just sat there and looked up at me with her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth as if to say "Is that all ya got?" The toe pinch did wonders. She has learned to sit with treats but even those seem to have lost a fair portion of their appeal during the times I try to work with her although she still loves them at other times. She was very protective of toys but then I simply overwhelmed her with them to bring about the devaluation of them. Now she still likes her toys but doesn't protect them as much as just holds them in play posturing. She loves for me to chase her around but gives up her toy as soon as I have another one. I don't know a great deal but for her good and mine I am trying to learn. I think she has great potential but I need to do right by her.

Thanks for your interest.
Mark

I dont know where to begin.But I will say just this much. If your gonna use treats dont by "treats" instead use something the dog finds irresistable like peices of ham slices or cut up hot dogs and use them before you feed the dog. The other direction to go in is to use a toy,ball or whatever but you should take away all the toys you say you overwhelmed her with so you can make them valuable again except this time you have the only toy and it is yours and you let her play with it sometimes as a reward. You should also be practicing everything on leash. I would also say find a good trainer to help get you going in the right direction.