Low ball drive

vol38501 · 05-08-2011, 08:17 AM

My new 5 month old GSD, Bella, has zero ball drive. She will on occasion go smell what i threw and maybe mouth it a little but nothing else. I know i may be expecting too much too soon, since i have only had her 3 days. She wants to please me and has learned sit and we are working on down. She follows me where ever i go and wants my attention. She is very calm and relaxed maybe too calm and relaxed. She also has no desire to play with any toys just the occasional chew and that's it. Should i let her get more adjusted to her new surrounding?? Any suggestions would be wonderful!

Blazings · 05-08-2011, 08:53 AM

Well.. it could be just the dog. I used to have a dog who liked to play, but didn't give anything about toys or anything like that

jprice103 · 05-08-2011, 08:57 AM

Do you know the environment that she came from? I got my puppy from a non-reputable breeder (didn't know any better at the time...thought I was doing good not going through a pet store or puppy mill) who had the litter of puppies in a stall in a cow barn. When we went to get her, there were NO toys at all in with the puppies. When we brought her home and bought her tons of toys...she had no clue what to do with them. It took her a good week to figure out they were something to play with and fun! I'd say just keep showing her how to play and eventually she will get the hang of it!

MrsWoodcock · 05-08-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jprice103

Do you know the environment that she came from? I got my puppy from a non-reputable breeder (didn't know any better at the time...thought I was doing good not going through a pet store or puppy mill) who had the litter of puppies in a stall in a cow barn. When we went to get her, there were NO toys at all in with the puppies. When we brought her home and bought her tons of toys...she had no clue what to do with them. It took her a good week to figure out they were something to play with and fun! I'd say just keep showing her how to play and eventually she will get the hang of it!

AGREED!! My husbands dutchie/mal loves balls, but as far as a tug, or a flirt pole doesnt get it.... he is Starting too.. id say keep working with her :]

**Castlemaid** · 05-08-2011, 09:08 AM

I'd give her more time to adjust since you just got her. Might take a month or more for her drives to come out. Also, what lines is she? With some lines, the drives will kick in later.

vol38501 · 05-08-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castlemaid

I'd give her more time to adjust since you just got her. Might take a month or more for her drives to come out. Also, what lines is she? With some lines, the drives will kick in later.

I don't know right off the top of my head what her lines are. I was told what they were but do not recall but i do know her father's name and akc number. Charlie von Bishop # dn16513501. I wrote that down before i sent in her papers.

doggiedad · 05-08-2011, 11:43 AM

you have to teach her how to retrieve. then you can teach
her "find it". you hide something and have her find it. a trainer
will be very helpfull. train and socialize.

Ace952 · 05-08-2011, 12:13 PM

Sometimes it can take awhile. Use a flirt pole in the meantime.

**Cassidy's Mom** · 05-08-2011, 01:00 PM

Backchain it - that's where you teach the end of the behavior first and then work back towards the beginning. With mine when they were puppies they would all follow a ball if I rolled it a couple of feet and I didn't have any trouble working on it from there. But if I had, what I'd do is teach them to take the ball from my and then give it back standing right there. Then, give the ball and run backwards a few steps, encouraging her to bring it to you and give it up. Until she's consistently bringing you the ball after you've handed it you her you can start rolling it away from you. Work up gradually to being able to throw it, and again, start with short distances at first.

debbiebrown · 05-09-2011, 07:07 AM

you can also get a ball on a rope and drag it, it looks more like prey and it may snap her interest........

some dogs aren't real ball crazy and you might have to experiment with different toys. a tug toy may spark interest play and tease the pup a bit with it, then through it and teach her to bring it back.....she is also still young, alot of my pups ball drive varied, but most were 6 months to a year before things really clicked.....you can shape ball drive, or toy drive with the right motivational training.........some dogs are naturals and others need a boost in that area....

05-08-2011, 08:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
vol38501 New Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Monterey, Tn Posts: 19	Low ball drive My new 5 month old GSD, Bella, has zero ball drive. She will on occasion go smell what i threw and maybe mouth it a little but nothing else. I know i may be expecting too much too soon, since i have only had her 3 days. She wants to please me and has learned sit and we are working on down. She follows me where ever i go and wants my attention. She is very calm and relaxed maybe too calm and relaxed. She also has no desire to play with any toys just the occasional chew and that's it. Should i let her get more adjusted to her new surrounding?? Any suggestions would be wonderful!

05-08-2011, 08:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
Blazings Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Near Arnhem (Netherlands) Posts: 231	Well.. it could be just the dog. I used to have a dog who liked to play, but didn't give anything about toys or anything like that __________________ Feel free to add me on Facebook

05-08-2011, 08:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
jprice103 Master Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 960	Do you know the environment that she came from? I got my puppy from a non-reputable breeder (didn't know any better at the time...thought I was doing good not going through a pet store or puppy mill) who had the litter of puppies in a stall in a cow barn. When we went to get her, there were NO toys at all in with the puppies. When we brought her home and bought her tons of toys...she had no clue what to do with them. It took her a good week to figure out they were something to play with and fun! I'd say just keep showing her how to play and eventually she will get the hang of it! __________________ -Jessica Cheyenne von der Price-Sable GSD-12/20/10-CGC Faegan vom Johnson-Haus "Panzer"-Black GSD-12/31/11-S.T.A.R. Puppy

05-08-2011, 09:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
Castlemaid Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern British Columbia Posts: 9,089	I'd give her more time to adjust since you just got her. Might take a month or more for her drives to come out. Also, what lines is she? With some lines, the drives will kick in later. __________________ Lucia Keeta BH, OB1, TR1, AD (HOT) Rottweiler/Hairy Dog mix?? Shelter rescue Gryffon Vom Wildhaus BH, OFA Good (HOT) "Bites Through the Sleeve" Cuddlebug, b: Mar 2009

05-08-2011, 11:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 9,852	you have to teach her how to retrieve. then you can teach her "find it". you hide something and have her find it. a trainer will be very helpfull. train and socialize. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

05-08-2011, 12:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ace952 Master Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 691	Sometimes it can take awhile. Use a flirt pole in the meantime.

05-08-2011, 01:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Cassidy's Mom No Stinkin' Leashes Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 24,959	Backchain it - that's where you teach the end of the behavior first and then work back towards the beginning. With mine when they were puppies they would all follow a ball if I rolled it a couple of feet and I didn't have any trouble working on it from there. But if I had, what I'd do is teach them to take the ball from my and then give it back standing right there. Then, give the ball and run backwards a few steps, encouraging her to bring it to you and give it up. Until she's consistently bringing you the ball after you've handed it you her you can start rolling it away from you. Work up gradually to being able to throw it, and again, start with short distances at first. __________________ -Debbie- Dena 9/12/04-10/4/08 Forever would have been too short Keefer 8/25/05 Halo 11/9/08 Cassidy 6/8/00-10/4/04

05-09-2011, 07:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
debbiebrown Crowned Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: maine Posts: 7,599	you can also get a ball on a rope and drag it, it looks more like prey and it may snap her interest........ some dogs aren't real ball crazy and you might have to experiment with different toys. a tug toy may spark interest play and tease the pup a bit with it, then through it and teach her to bring it back.....she is also still young, alot of my pups ball drive varied, but most were 6 months to a year before things really clicked.....you can shape ball drive, or toy drive with the right motivational training.........some dogs are naturals and others need a boost in that area.... __________________ url

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