Dealing with a high drive puppy

BeautifulChaos · 08-14-2011, 11:24 PM

I am definitely not new to the drive in GSDs, but this is the first and youngest pup that I have dealt with that has such a HIGH drive. I am looking into a Shutzhund title and believe I may have the right pup.

Our problem is trying to quiet her down. This is one very vocal pup! ex:
-If we toss a toy, she barks the entire way to it and whines when she brings it back.
-She barks while she is doing her tricks and commands (usually just a bark or two at the start of the movement).
-She barks while running to her crate (but not in it).
-When we call her in a formal heir, she barks when she gets to us and up until the subject is entirely changed.
Really anything that uses mental energy gets her talking about it.

We've been working on some drive capping, but it's not been getting any better.
This behavior first popped up around 9weeks when we introduced a flirt pole and I thought it was developmental at first since it went away in a few days. She is now 16 weeks and it's gotten worse.

Any tips or suggestions?
This is by far the most high octane pup I've met, and the only puppy that can easily run and play for 6hrs before deciding to lay down for a minute

**MaggieRoseLee** · 08-14-2011, 11:29 PM

This look familiar?

So You Think You Want a High Drive Puppy - YouTube

Great tips and hints on this link ---> Engagement - Key to Training

**Castlemaid** · 08-14-2011, 11:35 PM

You know what they say: "Be careful what you wish for".

carmspack · 08-15-2011, 02:23 AM

what is the pedigree please.

it does sound like a capping problem .

Carmen

paulag1955 · 08-15-2011, 02:34 AM

What is capping?

ShenzisMom · 08-15-2011, 08:24 AM

Schutzhund Village

At the bottom they go into it. I'm not sure if this article is correct, but it made sense to me.

wolfstraum · 08-15-2011, 10:36 AM

leaking drive - too much drive in some ways - capping is crucial if you ever want to have control....have fun and good luck!

Lee

**Lauri & The Gang** · 08-21-2011, 03:42 PM

Here's my take on 'capping' and 'leaking drive'.

Take a basic garden hose and poke a hole in it. Put a spray nozzle on the hose and turn on the water. What happens when you try to use the spray nozzle?

The water coming out of the hose with the hole has less force to it.

That = leaking drive. The dog is wasting energy (drive) doing all the barking.

When you repair the hole in the hose that = capping.

Espo4442 · 01-17-2013, 02:11 PM

Sorry to revive an old thread, but my pup is similair in some ways as in when he gets his toy and wants me to throw it I will tell him to sit and he'll bark while sitting or start barking if I ignore his toy that he's laid down for me to throw.

Felix's Proud Mammy · 01-17-2013, 02:14 PM

I wish Felix was more vocal! He is when he wants affection, but when we're outside playing or training, he's all business.

08-14-2011, 11:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
BeautifulChaos Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 50	Dealing with a high drive puppy I am definitely not new to the drive in GSDs, but this is the first and youngest pup that I have dealt with that has such a HIGH drive. I am looking into a Shutzhund title and believe I may have the right pup. Our problem is trying to quiet her down. This is one very vocal pup! ex: -If we toss a toy, she barks the entire way to it and whines when she brings it back. -She barks while she is doing her tricks and commands (usually just a bark or two at the start of the movement). -She barks while running to her crate (but not in it). -When we call her in a formal heir, she barks when she gets to us and up until the subject is entirely changed. Really anything that uses mental energy gets her talking about it. We've been working on some drive capping, but it's not been getting any better. This behavior first popped up around 9weeks when we introduced a flirt pole and I thought it was developmental at first since it went away in a few days. She is now 16 weeks and it's gotten worse. Any tips or suggestions? This is by far the most high octane pup I've met, and the only puppy that can easily run and play for 6hrs before deciding to lay down for a minute

08-14-2011, 11:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
Castlemaid The Administrator from the Great White North, eh? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern British Columbia Posts: 11,183	You know what they say: "Be careful what you wish for". __________________ Lucia Keeta BH, OB1, TR1, AD Rottweiler/Hairy Dog mix?? Shelter rescue Gryffon Vom Wildhaus BH

08-15-2011, 02:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
paulag1955 Knighted Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Washington Posts: 3,419	What is capping? __________________ Paula Shasta - GSD (4/30/10) Thor - GSD (3/12/12) RIP Duchess - Shetland Sheepdog (12/25/88 - 2/14/04)

08-15-2011, 08:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
ShenzisMom Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brampton, ON Posts: 950	Schutzhund Village At the bottom they go into it. I'm not sure if this article is correct, but it made sense to me. __________________ -Cassie Handler For: Shenzi: Female GSD Zira “To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” -J.K Rowling

08-15-2011, 10:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
wolfstraum Crowned Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: PA Posts: 8,210	leaking drive - too much drive in some ways - capping is crucial if you ever want to have control....have fun and good luck! Lee __________________ Csabre Sch1, Hexe Sch2, Bengal, Komet, Kyra, Kira & Kougar v Wolfstraum ~ - Danger Sch1 SAR - ATB~ Kougar Sch3, Kyra Sch3, Cito Sch2, Alice Sch1, Kelsey CD, Ret ~ Basha Sch3, Fenja Sch3 wolfstraum.net

08-15-2011, 02:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
carmspack Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ontario - Posts: 5,542	what is the pedigree please. it does sound like a capping problem . Carmen

08-21-2011, 03:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Lauri & The Gang Moderator Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: SouthEastern WI Posts: 13,755	Here's my take on 'capping' and 'leaking drive'. Take a basic garden hose and poke a hole in it. Put a spray nozzle on the hose and turn on the water. What happens when you try to use the spray nozzle? The water coming out of the hose with the hole has less force to it. That = leaking drive. The dog is wasting energy (drive) doing all the barking. When you repair the hole in the hose that = capping. __________________ Lauri & The Raw Fed Gang Raw Dog Ranch Winnie CGC - Corgi Mix Chimanes Spice it Up Piquin (Kaynya) - Chinese Crested Nator von Triton HIC CGC (Mauser) - LC GSD Piquins Some Like it Hot (Spike) – Chinese Crested Piquins Too Hot To Handle - (Fuego) - Chinese Crested Piquins Wasabi (Sabi) - Chinese Crested Piquins Super Hot (Clark) - Chinese Crested Banzai, Cloe, Mocha - Felines Extraordinaire Neke, Tessa, Remi, Sadie, Riggs, Sasha, Tazer - DK, Mozart, Zoe - Gone but not forgotten

01-17-2013, 02:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
Espo4442 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 44	Sorry to revive an old thread, but my pup is similair in some ways as in when he gets his toy and wants me to throw it I will tell him to sit and he'll bark while sitting or start barking if I ignore his toy that he's laid down for me to throw.

01-17-2013, 02:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
Felix's Proud Mammy Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 175	I wish Felix was more vocal! He is when he wants affection, but when we're outside playing or training, he's all business. __________________ Lovin' My Life As His Mommy! Felix de casa Mora AKA "Bubba" GSD 3/5/2010 Reba Maye Big Ears GSD Foster

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