Thanks jesusica for the new link! It was great and now part of my favorites to share.
While I absolutely agree there is a genetic component to the 'play' drives our dogs have (or do not). We CAN make it better for all our dogs.
I personally feel that many of us take our dog's natural seeming ability to play and either do not continue to build and increase the drive as our dogs grow, but (more importantly and this I really do see all the time) increase our dog's drive's and ability to play WITH US!
And the 'with us' is the key part FOR THE TRAINING. I have a friend who has dogs that shut down and are not drivy at all when he trains and recommended he try to add the toy to his regime. The guy flatly responded, his dogs do not tug. I dropped the subject for a bit (I was really cut off like I was an idiot
). Later I kind of brought up the subject again about all his dogs (he's breeder with quite a pack at the house) and asked if the dog's will play and tug with toys among themselves. Know what the answer was? YES.
So I'm sitting there being told by the guy 'my dogs won't tug' when the reality is 'my dogs won't tug WITH ME'. And that is a VASTLY different answer with different reasons behind it. Is he not fun? Does he not encourage play WITH him? Is he too serious and only an authority figure (who wants to play and have fun with a dictator?).
And 'ball' drive is NOT the same. It's easier for us, the dogs love it, they get exercise and all we have to do it throw the ball, but the REWARD and the PAYOFF doesn't involve us at all. So the bonding, fun, work ethic WITH us isn't fulfilled either.
But tugging (which IS work for us.....) DOES involve us. Does make us an intregal part of 'the game'. Does bring the dog into, close, and realizing that we are worth having in the game.