How do you become the "reward" for a very high drive dog? My 11 month old puppy is very high drive. A ball or a tug puts him over the edge. I do a quick session, then pet him with long stokes to calm him, then do another short session. If I don't use a ball or tug, if I am the reward, he bites any part of the body he can reach because he is so wound. I love the drive, but want to channel it to a nice obedience picture. I would like to be his reward , without being his chew toy. I don't mind using a toy, but eventually would like to put it away.
How do some of you work your high drive dogs?
fod, toys, ?
I have an unbelievably (almost psychotic <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ) high drive dog. I have used the Flinks method ever since she was a pup with very good results. Even though they have tons of drive they can control it to get what they want. I cannot urge you too much to get the Flinks tape 'Building Drive and Focus'. We just don't have to build the drive- just the focus. I always insist on something obedient for everything she wants. We are now working on 'obedience for bites'. It helps her control herself. Hope that helps.
Robert VanCamp Webboard User Reg: 11-28-2001
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You have a dog with monster prey drive/play drive, you can pretty much forget about using "yourself" as the reward. Using praise isn't going to be as effective as using a prey reward, the dog is already showing that I take it.
It isn't going to happen. If that is the way you want to train, put the toys away all the time. Use food and praise only.
I certainly don't suggest that, the drive for the prey item is what will get that nice high spirited picture in obedience.
Working on focus methods will help teach the dog to control itself, but still for the ball/tug reward.
You can pair praise with your ball reward, just like using a clicker. . .
Praise is important, but less important to some dogs than others. Work in your dog's currency.
I'd recommend getting the the Drive, Focus, & Grip video with Bernhard Flinks. Basically, you're using a ball on a string as a prey item, teaching him that focus brings success. There's so much to it and really worth watching than just reading about. My dog is very high drive too & it's been the best investment I've made in the training to keep him in control when doing obedience, without any compulsion. In my opinion, the methods on that video are the first things you should learn if you want to train your dog in drive. Good luck.
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