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Prey Drive Control & Focus..


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I hope it's OK to ask Newbie questions here ...

I've been following some of your threads about prey drive control and focus, and would love to try this with one of my dogs (one of her favourite things is chasing cats :hitself: and pretending that inanimate objects are 'prey' but I dont have a clue as to how I can provide this for her as a motivator (as she doesnt play with people - ie me - or other dogs - just herself)). So far I've gathered that the way to start is to attend one of your seminars? Is that correct? And if so, do you have them in Canberra, or do I need to go to an interstate one?

Sorry for the vege questions :cry:

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So far I've gathered that the way to start is to attend one of your seminars? Is that correct? And if so, do you have them in Canberra, or do I need to go to an interstate one?

IMO having instruction is far better (and more feasible) than having it explained in writing, particularly as it gives an instructor a visual on your dog and its issues and permits adaptation to your dog's specific needs.

Why don't you email Steve? You might be able to arrange a private lesson with him (and therefore not have to wait for another seminar) .... although he's often busy so you might have to book ahead some.

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CM: Once a dog has gained drive satisfaction do they go back into drive initialisation or does it depend on what's happening or what?

K9: Sure does, if the dog thinks it can initiate the game or you restimulate the dog with the trigger it will go back into drive, or maybe never leave...

I'm just thinking about when I took Chester to an off lead park, I never called him back when I didn't think he would, so he'd run off after something, I could never keep up or recall him or reel him in or whatever, because I knew he wouldn't be 'listening' then he would kinda get bored or lose it, turn around and see me and that was when I would recall him, and he'd come bolting back to me ... where in the model would he have been when he heard my recall?

K9: The first thing to mention is not caling your dog when you feel he wont comply is a good call, otherwise your asking the dog if he "feels like it".

It weakens the command so well done on that one...

Next the dog looking elsewhere may have been in drive peak, but when it was unable to find satisfaction, looked back at you (in drive initialisation) & was very ready to listen...

Edited by K9 Force
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BMP: I hope it's OK to ask Newbie questions here ...

K9: Sure it is...

So far I've gathered that the way to start is to attend one of your seminars? Is that correct?

K9: yes either that or a private lesson...

And if so, do you have them in Canberra, or do I need to go to an interstate one?

K9: I have been to ACT before & someone was talking about running a day there a few months ago, not sure who that was, will put the thinking cap on.

Many people travle from the ACT, we can set up accomodation & everything for you, all those details will be in the next web site update, coming soon as I get the chance...

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Many people travle from the ACT, we can set up accomodation & everything for you, all those details will be in the next web site update, coming soon as I get the chance...

Thanks - I'll keep an eye on the web site.

Do the dogs go the the seminars too?

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BittyMooPeeb, I mentioned in one of Steve's threads a while back that it would be great to get him to the ACT for a 'training in drive' seminar.

If you're keen, and I'm keen, then that's a good start!

The organisers would need to find the venue (park, obedience club, fenced property, that sort of thing I think) and I think accommodation as well. Steve handles the rest ... I think!! :D

I'm still keen to organise it, but uni is really busy so I haven't been able to put any more thought into it.

ETA: Or Plan B: I'd happily car-pool up to Steve's next seminar in Kurrajong if any Canberrans are keen :)

Edited by Mooper
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Ok, another sort of newbie question! I have a GSD X here that I think has a fair bit of drive, problem is despite all the reading and studying ive done into training in drive, i wouldn't actually know how to do it. I would love to have a lesson or go to a workshop or something similar but Steve you don't seem to come to Queensland all that often! I know i missed a seminar or something up here a few months ago! So my question is, can you retrain a dog in drive at a later date say after you've trained it another way... cos obvously its gonna be a while before I learn how to train a dog in drive so I was going to train her differently but was wondering if that would stuff up the possibility of training her in drive at a later date? Thanks in advance for you reply!

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The organisers would need to find the venue (park, obedience club, fenced property, that sort of thing I think) and I think accommodation as well. Steve handles the rest ... I think!!

K9: yep, that sounds about right...

I would love to have a lesson or go to a workshop or something similar but Steve you don't seem to come to Queensland all that often!

K9: The demand is very high in Victoria, but I have been to Qld a few times, admitadley many of the ones in the last 5 years have been mainly commercial...

All it takes is someone to kick it off & we go from there...

So my question is, can you retrain a dog in drive at a later date say after you've trained it another way... cos obvously its gonna be a while before I learn how to train a dog in drive so I was going to train her differently but was wondering if that would stuff up the possibility of training her in drive at a later date?

K9: many other training styles will compromise the results that can be gained through training in drive...

I do have distance learning packages but there really isnt anything like a demo....

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would it be right to say Steve, that the main thing (while useing other styles of training) is not to discourage the dog from being "in drive" when around you??

Seita - defnitely go to one of Steve's workshops... It will help you understand a lot of things...

- Gillian

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BittyMooPeeb, I mentioned in one of Steve's threads a while back that it would be great to get him to the ACT for a 'training in drive' seminar.

If you're keen, and I'm keen, then that's a good start!

The organisers would need to find the venue (park, obedience club, fenced property, that sort of thing I think) and I think accommodation as well. Steve handles the rest ... I think!! :dropjaw:

I'm still keen to organise it, but uni is really busy so I haven't been able to put any more thought into it.

ETA: Or Plan B: I'd happily car-pool up to Steve's next seminar in Kurrajong if any Canberrans are keen :laugh:

Sounds like a plan Mooper! I'll PM you and we can work something out

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Gillian:

Seita - defnitely go to one of Steve's workshops... It will help you understand a lot of things...

I would love to! So Steve... when are you coming to sunny QLD next? :laugh::dropjaw:

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G: would it be right to say Steve, that the main thing (while useing other styles of training) is not to discourage the dog from being "in drive" when around you??

K9: not just that, things such as bite inhibition etc also play a big part....

when are you coming to sunny QLD next?

K9: should be there befire the end of this year...

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K9 Force / Others,

I am looking after a 1yo Cavelier King Charles at the moment and he has great drive which is awesome because I can actually use this stuff.

I have been building drive over the past 5 days but is 3 times a day 3 mins a day enough? I do the spin thing with an orbee ball and he is pretty quick (me pretty slow) and beats me by grabbing it (within a minute...thank goodness because I am so dizzy), I then circle and look other way blah blah. It takes him about 5 mins to drop it the first time (he doesn't chew and doesn't look stressed but should he drop it quicker???) and so I only do 2 more lots and tease him the last time because time wise I am way over the 3 mins. I go inside and he gets frustrated and works harder the next time but he is still heaps crazy after doing the work. I have tried to pick up all the sticks in the yard and anything he would get drive satisfaction over but he just spins like crazy over his tail then. I don't do the tie out method as I am really scared he will break his neck, he goes nuts anyway and falls over.

I am also teaching him basic commands such as drop etc....is it ok to be doing this while building drive? I know K9 has said not to walk or do anything while building drive. I need him to know these commands though for when I start to work with the focus section though. I am using the TOT at dinner too. This is all ok?

I am not sure if I have made sense but I guess I need some clarification. Thanks

Edited by Latisha
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L: I have been building drive over the past 5 days but is 3 times a day 3 mins a day enough? I do the spin thing with an orbee ball and he is pretty quick (me pretty slow) and beats me by grabbing it

K9: This is ok, I usually recommend min two weeks though...

It takes him about 5 mins to drop it the first time (he doesn't chew and doesn't look stressed but should he drop it quicker???)

K9: he will drop it quicker soon as he realises it will strat the game again...

I am also teaching him basic commands such as drop etc....is it ok to be doing this while building drive?

K9: I wouldnt, because when its time to add focus he will be desperate to find an easier way to win the ball...

Edited by K9 Force
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OK I have a puppy question regarding building drive.

Kelpie pup, plenty of drive, tug work etc is going great. But you said no teaching bite inhibition right? So what do I do when he grabs pant legs, jumpers, shoes, hands etc? Those puppy teeth hurt :thumbsup:

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K9:

should be there befire the end of this year...

Awesome! So is there anything I can do while I wait? I want to start taking her to obedience classes as she could really do with the socialisation. I have been training her by myself up until this point and shes doing really well but I think class interaction will be good for her. I've been training her with a heavy duty squeey toy at the moment cos she gots nuts over them, is there any thing I can do to avoid diminishing her drive while i wait till you can show me what I'm supposed to do?!

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Kelpie pup, plenty of drive, tug work etc is going great. But you said no teaching bite inhibition right? So what do I do when he grabs pant legs, jumpers, shoes, hands etc? Those puppy teeth hurt

K9: Tug work or your spinning with the ball?

The biting you will go away...

So is there anything I can do while I wait? I want to start taking her to obedience classes as she could really do with the socialisation. I have been training her by myself up until this point and shes doing really well but I think class interaction will be good for her. I've been training her with a heavy duty squeey toy at the moment cos she gots nuts over them, is there any thing I can do to avoid diminishing her drive while i wait till you can show me what I'm supposed to do?!

K9: nit put a lot of control into your dog through formal obedience... Thats basic but other things I would need to demonstrate.

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