Hi everyone. I am new to the list and new to the sport of Schutzhund. I have an almost 1yr. female GSD that we are trying out. Her tracking is going very well and obedience also (originally purchased her for obedience and therapy but at a last thought decided to try her out in this). She has great prey drive and loves her tug toys and balls at home. When we take her to the training field for the bite work, she shows no interest in the task at hand. I'm sure this is alot of her puppyhood. We've tried keeping her on the field with an experienced dog for her to watch. She glances at the other dog but again shows no interest other than the dog himself. We've backtied her but without working another dog close by (will discuss that with the trainer). I'm wondering if it's just that she is not interested, or that she doesn't understand what it is that I'm asking of her. Anyposts that someone else may have had this similar situation? I'm sure this will require more question/answer and I'm prepared.lol

Have you done any prey work with the barlap bag.

Tie her to wire fence with a long line and take the bag and drag it on the ground just out her reach. If she shows slightest intrest, I mean if she barks or her ears perk up tell her good girl, pat her, make a big deal out of it. Then get he sack and bring it closer to her but out of reach, she may been strainng at the line now, bring it in reach dragging it on the ground, no matter what the reaction is, weather she barks and chases or bites and shakes it. Give her plently of praise, if she still shows no sign or favorable reactions, do this.

While she still tie out get her favorite toy or the ball on a string and see if this brings a prey reaction. If she still does not show any prey reaction, have a pro look at her and determine if she can do this kinda work or not.

She loves her tug toys and balls at home, meaning she chases the ball, bites and plays with tugs? Real drive for those toys?

Does the dog have 24/7 access to the toys? I'm guessing that if the dog does really have the prey drive for the toys and tug, it just doesn't understand what is going on. Take the toys away, crate for a little time before bite training sessions and play some with whatever it is that your helper wants to start her bite on. Sack, tug, or whatever. Think frustration. . .Teach the dog what is a prey item and what to do with it. Work the dog at home and in other locations with just you doing the same thing the helper does to get the dog used to what will be expected.

Buy the Bite Training Puppies Video and Flinks tape. If the dog has it, it is just a matter of teaching when and how to use it. Frustrate and withhold the toys. If the dog needs to chew give 'em a bone. Limit training sessions to short and intense sessions.

That is what I would do if the dog has it.

Thank you VanCamp and Goodogu for your thoughts. Actually, yes she does have constant access to toys, tugs and balls. I haven't used anything burlap since the helper using it on her the first night of training. I will go back and back tie her using the burlap. And will remove those toys from the house! If she doesn't have "it", that's fine too but I just don't want to push her over the edge either way. I can read her reactions and I've stopped the first time I saw her start to go into avoidance. (I have a good helper who is experienced in puppies)I'm able to keep from putting her to go into defense drive and plan on keeping it that way. Just not sure when to say enough is enough and to end this all together with her. I feel on the other hand that she has what it takes and has a very stable temperment. Just hoping that her grandfather's blood is flowing through her enough.
Thanks again and will check back to see if anyone else has input.

VanCamp as always brought some good points that I omitted in the first reply (of course I don't have the 100 plus yrs of dog training that Yoda has).

But a year and half ago I was right in your shoes, and I didn't have the bloodline to back me up. I was thinking that my female Rottie/pitt just didn't have it. She had the ball and toy drive but when presented with a selected prey item
she just seem to stand and look, weather at home or a different site. I thought darn she just don't have it.

Until a friend made me notice that she was showing signs and paying attention, her ears would perk and her shoulders would lurched forward but not lunge. When I started paraising her for these slight reaction she took off and now loves to do this type bite work. I kept comparing her to the Male GSD progress, who took this like a duck to water. Once she finds out what you want, you will probably have to hold her back to stop her.

Every dog is different, base on enviroment etc.. like access to his toys 24/7 as mentioned by VanCamp. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I have just come from outside where I cut up some burlap (thought that was possibly her aversion) and she got right on it. Biting and hanging on very strong. I will next take her to a new location with that with me. If that goes well, I have a friend who can see if her interest is still there.
Her toys are now hidden in the car (she knows they are there but just can't get to them) poor girl!
Thank you again for the encouragement and I'll keep you posted on her progress.

I have just come from outside where I cut up some burlap (thought that was possibly her aversion) and she got right on it. Biting and hanging on very strong. I will next take her to a new location with that with me. If that goes well, I have a friend who can see if her interest is still there.
Her toys are now hidden in the car (she knows they are there but just can't get to them) poor girl! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Thank you again for the encouragement and I'll keep you posted on her progress.

 Quote:

Originally posted by GSDS4ME:

Her toys are now hidden in the car (she knows they are there but just can't get to them) poor girl! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You need to think of them as YOUR toys, not hers... sounds silly but it is a good mental thing for you to do.

My dog will "mug" me for his toy. He will sit in front of me and look up... as soon as I look at him he will look to where the toy is... As Bernhard would say ... "Ahhh, he wants to play wis me..." <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Things seem to be going great, she is responding like the GSD you knew she was. I think that GSDs and Mals seem to respond faster then most dogs, that I've worked or seen worked. Just my thought, this may not be accurate, being polictal correct.
You girl seems to be progressing well.

I'd try this after about a week or 2 of burlap sack training, hold the sack in both hands to get her to bite in the middle, when she bites help her by lowering the sack so she can get a good grip, then raise it to waist level and twist it side to side, when she pulls back the first or second time let it go. This helps builds a strong solid bite and confidence.

Maybe just more of prey stimulation until your trainer wants you to move forward. You don't want to make her go into avoidance, but I doubt if she will going by her inital responce. But like they say here it hard to tell unless you are there. Going by your statement she is progressing well, without a lot provocation. You appear and wiggle the sack and she bites, great.

Keep up the good work, and listen to your trainer.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Don't get me wrong, I do not feel bad taking those toys away from her. It's not like she doesn't get to play with them. Just on my terms now.
When she bites the burlap or tug, she seems to have a very strong bite and doesn't rebite for a better grip. I can rub her face and pat her under her chin and gently swing her from side to side at waist level and she hangs on for the ride. When she does try to rebite, my timing has gotten better and she loses the toy til the next session. (no more regrips from her anymore). Tomorrow is tracking and bite work at class. Will be interesting to see if her frame of mind has changed yet.
Thanks all!