Let's talk about drive. . .

[G-burg]

And then there are the dogs who have a lot of energy, almost to the point of hyperactive, who are labled "high drive" and in many cases really have very little drive at all. What they do have is a weakness in nerve that leads to an inability to settle, physically or mentally, and constant expression of nervous, anxious energy.

I think these dogs also have a hard time focusing and channeling that energy (drive) into something positive or good.. It's more hectic.. Really what it comes down to is it's a waste of energy..

[Lindsay01]

Really informative post, thank you for explaining this.

So what do you do to keep your "all over the place" inbred rescue GSD on the right route?

I would like to read more books pertaining drives..and energy. Mine -get's waaay too stimulated far too quickly ..mine is part Mal and am trying to do my best to keep her busy, active and not bored but it's challenging. Is there a group in MD do you know that I could contact to try her at tracking or something equally challenging?

I have not had much experience w Mals- mine is very sweet smart and has much drive- she wants to please you, but I don't know how to harness this. I have a very good trainer but had to take a hiatus as my dog was injured two months ago-

Thank you.

[Castlemaid]

I don't know of any books that would specifically address this issues. I think most dog training/behaviour books are aimed at the average pet dog (a very different animal than a malinois/gsd mix!), and the books about using and training high-drive working dogs is aimed towards experienced dog handlers that already have an understanding and an appreciation of working drives and high energy.

One thing you may look into is finding a Schutzhund club to work with. They can evaluate your dog's temperament and drive and see where it falls on the scale, and work with you to show you how to use and harness that drive and energy and focus it into productive activities. Some clubs are very open to helping others, and even if you are not interested in pursuing Schutzhund per se, or your dog does not have the temperament for the protection phase, you can still join and work on the obedience and tracking portions of Schutzhund, and even get titles in just those areas.

Other clubs are more competition oriented and only accept members that will work in all three phases with the goal to compete, but some members may be willing to work with you privately outside the club. They will have the experience to guide you and show you how to work with a dog like yours, and how to see the crazy drives as a good thing.

Or just find a private trainer, but one that has experience with working dogs AND will work with you using positive reinforcement, and corrections when/where necessary. But corrections will come later when your pup is older and already has good solid training on him. Some private trainers with a working dog background (and some Schutzhund people) are heavy with compulsion and corrections, so check them out first.

[Zisso]

My first GSD had a play drive that would not stop, even in the most intense heat we get here in WA. It was over the frisbee. She would chase it, catch it, bring it back, wash it off in her water every time, then drop it at my feet and run out ahead to get it again. She would not stop unless I made her. If I happened to throw it wrong and say it landed on the roof, or over the fence she would do her best to figure out a way to get it back. I found myself many a time, going up on the roof to retrieve her frisbee so we could go in the house for a break because she would not come in until she had it.

My current girl is much the same way...with any toy. We play and play and if it goes over the fence she is insistent on getting it back.However, she does not have the stamina to play relentlessly as my 1st girl did. I can see her slowing down after 20-30 minutes or so of playing and that is when I end the game. My boy will play until he is tired and when he is tired, he will go lay down on his own. Doesn't take much for either to bounce back and do it all over again, but they are so different from my 1st.

My current girl also has a restlessness about her that I had never seen before. She always grabs a toy when they are out and will pace back and forth all over the yard with it. She will come up to me with it but if I reach out to get the toy to throw it for her she will turn away(lack of training as a pup to give it to me(I adopted her at 16months)) so she ends up pacing with the toy until she tires and goes to lay down.

One other thing I have noticed about the two is that my boy will lay in the sun, tired and hot from play or not but my girl always finds shade to lay down in.

So I am curious if my current girl is displaying the kind of drive that is being discussed in this thread? To me it is more what G-Burg describes above, as hyperactive, less able to settle or channel the energy into something more positive.