I have a 9 month old German Shepard male which has completed basic obedience training several months ago. I continue to work him in obedience (3) times per week and he is doing great very socialized. I just took him to be evaluated for protection training. He is very aggressive (high defense drive)and shows no signs of fear. Even when not really threatened he lunges and snaps (never backed down). Both his parents are working protection dogs. He has a high prey drive and will chase rabbits, squirrels, our other dogs but will not play with a puppy tug or rag. This dog will fetch but does not even like to play with a ball. I have tried everything but he is not interested in playing. I think the most fun he had was going to protection class. My trainer does not think this will be a problem but I would like some other opinions or ideas. I have read the articles on this web site as well as purchased books on protection training. I know about the different drives but have not found information that could tell me if this dog can or cannot be protection trained or is a good candidate for protection training. Thanks

Scott,
No dog ever *completes* obedience training - it's a life long training process that requires constant practice. If your dog had the obedience training "several" months ago, he was and is just a puppy and he is no where near trained at the level of obedience that a dog under going bite training should be at.

So if you're considering protection training for your dog when he matures, you need be working him at least a few times weekly in obedience now and for the foreseeable future.

It's a lot of work, but that's the way it is. There are no shortcuts.

Scott,
I also would tell you to take the time to read all the articles that Ed has listed under Training Articles on this website. It would give you a better idea about a dog's drives and motivations for training, as you don't seem to have a clear idea about your dogs behavior.
You might be able to answer your own questions with the reading, and at the least you'll have a better understanding of what trainers mean when they talk about different drives.

Scott,your pup sounds a lot like my pup of the same age,is he czech?If he's like mine the prey drive is there you just have to bring it out.If you don't have any help try putting him on a backtie and putting the tug on a line,make it come alive and frustrate/tease the hell out of him with it keeping it just out of reach,you may even have to start with just a rag or towel but sooner or later he should show interest in it and when he does just build on that.Also at 9 months old I doubt your pup has developed any real defense,don't rush him just teach him the mechanics of biting and keep it a game,good luck.

The way you present a prey item is a big deal too. Building frustration is like an art; you almost have to turn that ball into a rabbit. I would attach about a 6" string to your ball and that will make it come to life a lot easier. Just be patient with it. How were his grips on the sleeve?