Ok, first post so please bear with me. I've purchased the tapes and trying to work my 6 month GSD with the prey drive. She goes after the ball on the string and the tug no problem but when she gets either item, when I try to walk her in the circle to set up for into my arms, she wants to shake the item then sit and chew it. I'm not talking mouthing the item she wants to eat it. Any suggestions on how to stop the shaking and eating? Also she refuses to retrieve. She goes after anything you throw for her picks it up, comes back so far then stand there and looks at you, wanting you to chase her. If I put the leach on while trying to train retrieve, she just won't pick the item up, she'll run out to the item then lay down right there and want to eat it. Getting really flustrated here and any help would be appreciated. Oh and one more thing... she wants to grab the items with her front teeth not the full mouth grip. I know it's not right but she has a death grip on the item when I try to get it away.
Are you doing the tugwork yourself, or on a decoy? I would try to get a good decoy to help you train her to bite in. I would try to teach her to hold a 5 inch peice of pvc before the retrieve. You would want her to hold calmly, then mark it. I am not the retrieve guy for sure but I know that is the first step.
I don't think Ed recommends using a helper until the pup is a year old. ( I just got some good advice from him on a similar issue. ) To me, this sounds like a very normal 6 month old pup. Mine was the same at that age, and by 9 months he was doing just fine. I didn't do anything special, just kept up the drive building exercizes and let the dog mature.
On the retrieve, maybe try tossing the tug but holding her back just out of reach to build a little frustration.
Michael Hadsell Webboard User Reg: 02-19-2005
Posts: 19
Loc: Englewood, FL
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The fight for the prey item sounds pretty normal for the age. I would not be stressing over it too much. When the dog is working for the toy just make the dog work harder and harder for it. When the dog is a little older take it to the helper, that is a great time to move forward with the walk around and into my arms. Remember its not a obidience routine but a stress reliever. When the helper comes into the picture all this will fit together. Right now just keep it in compartments.
As for the retrieve----- I usually start with tossing the toy and enticing the pup back. IF the pup is not wanting to bring the toy back, I just turn and walk away and its the end of playtime. Usually the pup figures out that if the game is to continue then the ball needs to come back to the handler.
I should add that I do ringsport, not schutzhund and we have dogs on the helper/decoy whatever at 6 mo for sure. We make sure that there is a bite in. I don't think that it matters too much if you wait until a dog is older, but if you don't know what you are looking for in a bite, don't do it. I know there are videos on this but a bigger rule is No green decoys on green dogs. I know some people don't have a choice, but if you do, I would wait for a decoy to help out.
Hi,
I have a 9 month old GS he is a quick learner. I have worked with his prey drive. He is a little lazy, and gets bord very easily. When we are done with prey work I reward him. Then I work with obedience. I hope I am not confusing him with working in prey, and obedience training.
Thanks again Michelle
When I work on his prey drive I use a ball and string, and then a horse crop that has a shoe string that connects a rag. He loves the second prey toy because I use it only two or three times a week.
And with his rewards I usually give cut up hot dogs and keep them in a bagy.
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building the prey drive then the run
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