I am a quarry with our K-9 unit and just received a 9 mo GSD that was donated. He has some potential but I don't think he'll make the grade.
I purchased the "Flinks" video and it helped somewhat. If the dog doesn't make it as a PSD, I would still like to bring out his drive as a learning experience.

He has some interest in the tug, more then the ball. Should I build his drive as shown on the video for only a few minutes at a time, and then kennel him? I've also been told to tease him with the toy, and when he wants it the most, kennel him.

I found the video informative, but still missing a few pieces of the puzzle.

He loves to chase a soccer ball, but obviously it would be hard for a handler to carry it around.

Look forward to hearing from you all.

If your dog hasn't already popped it... take a knife to the soccer ball.. then you can play tug with it. Do not ever leave a dog with a soccer/basket/tennis ball unattended though!

You can certainly use the tug, and should if that is what the dog prefers. He may switch later on anyway. I had my own dog recently change his mind on me... now he likes the tug better than the ball.

With some older dogs it really helps to go back and treat them like a puppy. Try the toy on the horsewhip for a couple days. Make it easy for the dog to catch at first, but always leave the dog wanting more. With a lower drive/possibly soft dog they will give up sooner than a higher drive dog will.

I had a dog from the animal shelter that wouldn't even look at a toy when I brought him home... a few weeks later he was a different dog. Sometimes they will suprise you with what is in there! I couldn't change his softness, but he had PLENTY of prey drive. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The Flinks videos teach, "by training for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes at a time, two or three times a day, trainers can establish the foundation and technique of gripping, biting, carrying, and outing."

By keeping it only a few minutes a day but multiple times per day it keeps the training time intense and makes him want it more.

They also teach to give him his choice of toys. Hold the ball in one hand and and the tug in the other, as he does on the video with his dog and see which one he picks and use it.

You can use the tug as he uses the ball on the video, pulling it right from his mouth as he goes to bite it. Though they teach he should get the tug at least 20% of the time.

Why don't you think he'll make the grade as a Police Service Dog? What tests did he fail?

Thanks for the replies. I'm starting to see the light. Not sure if the short play periods were mentioned in the video, if it was, I missed it.

I've only had the dog for two weeks, and he is 9 months old. He's not afraid of anything, (ie: slippery floors, loud noise, escalators) but sometimes he doesn't pounce after the ball/ tug. Could be that our play time is too long.

Why don't I think he'll make a good PSD? Well I've been pretty much told by our K9 trainers, as his drive is low compared to the mal's we have, and yes I know, mal's are high drive and I shouldn't compare the two.

He is basically good with his drive in my yard. I took him to the airport last week and he didn't care about any of his toys. I know he was distracted, but it was a bit of an evaluation by the trainers as well. So he didn't do that well.

Anyway I'll plug away with the short burts of training. And keep the advice coming. Thanks

You might try taking him to the park and ease him into distractions. Possibly practice obedience with him where there's only some minor distractions at first. The airport is a very distracting place. If it's a large airport I'd have a hard time paying attention as well.

If you've only had him for 2 weeks it may be to soon to judge his drive. The play sessions bring out and build the prey drive and confidence over time.

I don't think a 9 month old pup should be put to much of a courage test. That's very young. Maybe take him out at night on the leach and have someone stir around in the bushes in an non threatening manner and see if he stands out and barks at him or if he cowers away. But you don't want to challenge him very much at that age.

I'd say, build up his confidence with the prey drive games and always let him win the tugs. I've seen just a few sessions build up the confidence of dogs that cower a lot. After a week or so, they start walking with a swagger

I start out with even a 6 week old pup playing tug with a rag and always let him win. He gets to thinking in his mind he's the baddest thing on planet earth.

BTW.. I have a 4 year old 100 lb male who's all muscle. He has little interest in playing ball but he's fearless and can he ever attack and bite. When I try and play ball with him, he just wants to bite me, he don't have any interest in the ball, he only knows one thing.. attack and bite the helper. He goes for the arms, legs, head, neck, whatever he can get a hold of.

You'd never know he was that way because on the surface he looks to have little drive. He's just a big calm, mellow teddy bear until he's worked and given the bite command, then he turns into a raging monster. But it's turned on and off like a light a switch according to the handler's commands.

I tend to agree about 2 weeks being a bit too short of a time to judge his drive.

I've gone back to the horse whip and now using a fuzzy ball with a tail. He seems to like it quite a bit. Usually about 1-2 minutes at a time. He actually jumps on me wanting more, and I believe thats what I want. Later, I will try changing the prey item to a ball or kong. He seems to like bigger objects (like the soccer ball as I mentioned in my first post).

Last and final question, (and by the way, thanks for your help) I assume that the only play time should be with his prey item and me. Or should he also be allowed run around the yard, when I'm out, and play on his own with the soccer ball. ( the soccer ball is not his prey toy)

Thanks again.

If it were me I would limit his time with the soccer ball, and only make it available when you are done with the drive building with YOU.

Sounds like the dog has never learned to play with people much, and is more content to amuse himself.

I think you are correct. I believe the previous owner had him chained up in a yard. Spent no time with obeidence or bonding.

I will limit the play time with me and the prey toy only, which should be his only enjoyment.

Yes, I wouldn't allow him to play on his own or with anyone else that don't know what they are doing. It could do more harm than good.

But I don't believe he has to be locked up in his kennel 23 1/2 hours a day either. I would think some running in the yard would be good and even in the house learning some manners and socialization wouldn't hurt either.

But keep him away from dominate dogs and people that would threaten him. Careful, select socialization with other good dogs and people is good.

Sometimes taking him out on a long lead and letting him run where he wants will free up his dampened spirit since he's been chained and ignored all his life. Or a free run in the woods with you. You want him to be confident, happy and have a good temperament but balance that with you always being in control. I don't like strong forceful obedience. It should be fun for you and him. If done right they love for you to be in control as the head of the pack.

If you think he may be a future Police dog or a protection dog it would be good to take him in the car with you, camping etc and let him experience many different situations. Late night as well as buildings, downtown etc. But never threatening ones that may dampen his confidence. His outlook on life should be a positive one with you providing the right atmosphere.

Good advice. He actually loves going in his crate in the car. More drive building with the horse whip and prey toy seems to be working rather then hiding it behind my back.

Besides the obeidence training and play time, he barely keeps still long enough to stroke, but that will come with the obeidence. Out of the kennel, I've yet to see him lay down or keep still, he is a big puppy at heart, which is why I'm still optimistic about him.

Still becoming familiar with the discussion board, and learning alot from the posts.