Drive and trainability, compatabilty with older dog

Kyad02 · 10-28-2011, 06:55 PM

Which would be better with a two and a half year old shepherd, a pup with more or less drive ? Does more drive equal easier or harder trainability ? thanks Bruce

**JakodaCD OA** · 10-28-2011, 07:02 PM

what's your current dog like? For example, when I had one female gsd, she was the "queen" around here, and would not appreciate another "wannabe queen", therefore I didn't get another one until she passed..I don't like a bunch of "pushy" dogs, they all have to get along, so when looking to add a dog, I look for temperament/personalities that will compliment my existing dogs

Kyad02 · 10-28-2011, 07:26 PM

He is good with other dogs at neutral sites, loves puppies, is protective at home but is getting more mature. Barks like crazy at dogs on TV.

Kyad02 · 10-28-2011, 08:10 PM

Anyone? I have to choose soon between two pups, one tested out to a higher drive level

robk · 10-28-2011, 10:16 PM

I like the drivey ones! They fun to train because they have such a high desire for the reward. However, my boys insane intensity makes him miserable to take anywhere that there are lots of distractions like my daughters soccer practice. Tonight I tried to take him with me as I watched my daughter play soccer. Bad idea. I had to take him back home because he wanted the soccer ball so bad.

**JakodaCD OA** · 10-29-2011, 07:44 AM

I tend to like the drivey ones, for the reasons Rob explained...I seem to always get the "first one who crawls outta the puppy pen", "the explorers", the "watchers".

However, I don't want so much drive that they can't 'settle' nicely, and are always in 'drive'...

Your breeder should be able to give you input, if you've described to them what yo want, what you want to LIVE with, and what you don't want in a dog..

Good luck picking

**jocoyn** · 10-29-2011, 07:50 AM

I think the main consideration should be what YOU plan to do with the puppy as it grows. Most recommend getting opposite sex just because probability of conflict is lower but other than that........

cowboy17 · 10-29-2011, 08:58 AM

Another thing to think about is how are you going to introduce them to one another. This can make or break the relationship between the two.

IMO they should be given 5 weeks to introduce themselves without human pollution. They need to get to know one another as dogs and will find their place in the pack this way. They key is without human pollution.

Two kennels, rotate dogs, never out at the same time. Introductions done for brief periods from "the other side of the fence".

There is a great movie about wolves that demostrates this introduction period in a wolf pack. Wolves at My Door I think it was called.

Another thing to consider is what type of drive do you like, can handle and what does your current dog have. Like someone else said, they should compliment one another.

**jocoyn** · 10-29-2011, 09:03 AM

5 WEEKS? I have always taken a week or two until the dogs are comfortable with laying next to the crated puppy and they pretty much ignore each other or lick through the crate. The dogs approaching the crated puppy, the puppy not approaching the dogs in their space. Puppy's also have a bit of a free ride with older dogs.

longhairshepmom · 10-29-2011, 02:56 PM

Since I am the alpha around my dogs, I don't consider myself human pollution. My dogs aren't a wolf pack and we aren't in the wild. While they ARE dogs and have their own way of communicating and getting along, I find that human intervention and supervision (if done correctly) is vital. Just my opinion, though.

When we brought Sam home I had my husband go straight from the airport to an outdoor area where I met him with the other 2 dogs. All on leash. As soon as we got Sam out of the car we took all dogs on a brisk walk around the neighborhood. There was no actual introduction yet, they got to "march" with each other on a focused walk. Sure, they glanced at each other and also caught some "sniffs" but the focus was on the walk. They walked as a "pack".
Afterward we all went to the back yard and took everyone of leash. They seemed very non - reactive on the walk and were accepting. In the backyard there was some playing, posturing, getting to know each other and figuring out the ranks. All was very controlled and supervised, and there was no uglyness. From then on its been smooth sailing. While they are figuring out their places in the pack, they also know that I'm alpha, and I've never had any problems with any of my dogs this way, whether they were mine or fosters.
Again, just my opinion.
Also, if YOUR dog is high drive, then I would definitely pick the one with lower drive. I would also make the decision depend on more then just drive. How are their temperaments ? How does each puppy relate to the other pups ? You want the one that doesn't always have to be top dog. I would choose the one that can happily let another puppy be "boss". Also, make sure that the one you pick is not a overly fearful one, either. I know, its not easy

Good luck

10-28-2011, 06:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kyad02 Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 73	Drive and trainability, compatabilty with older dog Which would be better with a two and a half year old shepherd, a pup with more or less drive ? Does more drive equal easier or harder trainability ? thanks Bruce

10-28-2011, 07:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,237	what's your current dog like? For example, when I had one female gsd, she was the "queen" around here, and would not appreciate another "wannabe queen", therefore I didn't get another one until she passed..I don't like a bunch of "pushy" dogs, they all have to get along, so when looking to add a dog, I look for temperament/personalities that will compliment my existing dogs __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

10-29-2011, 07:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,237	I tend to like the drivey ones, for the reasons Rob explained...I seem to always get the "first one who crawls outta the puppy pen", "the explorers", the "watchers". However, I don't want so much drive that they can't 'settle' nicely, and are always in 'drive'... Your breeder should be able to give you input, if you've described to them what yo want, what you want to LIVE with, and what you don't want in a dog.. Good luck picking __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

10-29-2011, 07:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
jocoyn Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 8,039	I think the main consideration should be what YOU plan to do with the puppy as it grows. Most recommend getting opposite sex just because probability of conflict is lower but other than that........ __________________ Nancy www.scsarda.org Grim (Grimmy Bear) & Beau (Bo-dee man) Waiting at the Bridge: Cyra, Toby, Rainbow, Linus, Oscar, Arlo & Waggles

10-29-2011, 09:03 AM	#9 (permalink)
jocoyn Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 8,039	5 WEEKS? I have always taken a week or two until the dogs are comfortable with laying next to the crated puppy and they pretty much ignore each other or lick through the crate. The dogs approaching the crated puppy, the puppy not approaching the dogs in their space. Puppy's also have a bit of a free ride with older dogs. __________________ Nancy www.scsarda.org Grim (Grimmy Bear) & Beau (Bo-dee man) Waiting at the Bridge: Cyra, Toby, Rainbow, Linus, Oscar, Arlo & Waggles

10-28-2011, 07:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kyad02 Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 73	He is good with other dogs at neutral sites, loves puppies, is protective at home but is getting more mature. Barks like crazy at dogs on TV.

10-28-2011, 08:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kyad02 Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 73	Anyone? I have to choose soon between two pups, one tested out to a higher drive level

10-28-2011, 10:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
robk Master Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 571	I like the drivey ones! They fun to train because they have such a high desire for the reward. However, my boys insane intensity makes him miserable to take anywhere that there are lots of distractions like my daughters soccer practice. Tonight I tried to take him with me as I watched my daughter play soccer. Bad idea. I had to take him back home because he wanted the soccer ball so bad.

10-29-2011, 08:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
cowboy17 Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 143	Another thing to think about is how are you going to introduce them to one another. This can make or break the relationship between the two. IMO they should be given 5 weeks to introduce themselves without human pollution. They need to get to know one another as dogs and will find their place in the pack this way. They key is without human pollution. Two kennels, rotate dogs, never out at the same time. Introductions done for brief periods from "the other side of the fence". There is a great movie about wolves that demostrates this introduction period in a wolf pack. Wolves at My Door I think it was called. Another thing to consider is what type of drive do you like, can handle and what does your current dog have. Like someone else said, they should compliment one another.

10-29-2011, 02:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
longhairshepmom Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: AL Posts: 1,133	Since I am the alpha around my dogs, I don't consider myself human pollution. My dogs aren't a wolf pack and we aren't in the wild. While they ARE dogs and have their own way of communicating and getting along, I find that human intervention and supervision (if done correctly) is vital. Just my opinion, though. When we brought Sam home I had my husband go straight from the airport to an outdoor area where I met him with the other 2 dogs. All on leash. As soon as we got Sam out of the car we took all dogs on a brisk walk around the neighborhood. There was no actual introduction yet, they got to "march" with each other on a focused walk. Sure, they glanced at each other and also caught some "sniffs" but the focus was on the walk. They walked as a "pack". Afterward we all went to the back yard and took everyone of leash. They seemed very non - reactive on the walk and were accepting. In the backyard there was some playing, posturing, getting to know each other and figuring out the ranks. All was very controlled and supervised, and there was no uglyness. From then on its been smooth sailing. While they are figuring out their places in the pack, they also know that I'm alpha, and I've never had any problems with any of my dogs this way, whether they were mine or fosters. Again, just my opinion. Also, if YOUR dog is high drive, then I would definitely pick the one with lower drive. I would also make the decision depend on more then just drive. How are their temperaments ? How does each puppy relate to the other pups ? You want the one that doesn't always have to be top dog. I would choose the one that can happily let another puppy be "boss". Also, make sure that the one you pick is not a overly fearful one, either. I know, its not easy Good luck __________________ longhairshepmom Samson von der Nachtweide "Sam" 2011 - Victor vom Lundborg Land "Vic" 2000-2010 RIP 2 Chi's, 1 Horse, 1 Canary, 6 Snakes, 1 Rat (not food)

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