Drive Question

[Kaffy Magee]

When I had my dobe, he was fun to train and after a bit of reading I started training in drive and it was awesome, with awesome results. I used a toy/tug because it got better results than food. Now Bullmastiffs are very different to dobes and at this stage not "fun" to train,lol. How do you get drive in a dog thats not that drivey to start with? I have a female bullmastiff who would do back flips for food (but not toys/tugs) but Im not training her, Im focussing on my 18mth old boy. He "performs" for food, but its not much fun and he isnt the type to get excited about toys or tugs either. So whats the solution? You dont see many bullmastiffs in obedience because they just arent the sort of breed that thrives on it. They learn something and they dont want to repeat it over and over and then after 10 minutes theyv'e had enough, which is fine as I mix it up and keep to short sessions. Im keen to compete with my boy, but I want that fire in his eyes and for him to look like he is enjoying it and getting something out of it. Is that asking too much of some dogs or should all dogs be able to train in drive?

[aussielover]

You can use food drive.

If the dog is moderately interested in food you can build on it.

Although if he's low drive naturally, there is only so much improvement you can see. You can definitely develop it to a point though and also make it easier to use whatever drive he does have, when you want it.

K9Pro do a great TID program but it is quite a commitment. Having seen the results I'd say its worth if you've got the time and money.

[Kaffy Magee]

In went outside after my post to see if I could get him worked up a bit and I'm pleased to say it was successful to a degree. The problem with that though is he gets exhausted much quicker and then stops responding as well as he was because he is worn out,lol. I'll keep working on it, I'm pleased with how he did though, seemed much more "alive" and willing to work. Thanks for the info I would love to go to a k9pro workshop one day. Imissed the recent ones here in qld but maybe next time!

[corvus]

How do you get drive in a dog thats not that drivey to start with?

You can't. But you can get anticipation, which looks just about as nice and is pretty fun too, and you can train persistence and focus. ;)

[Nekhbet]

put them in with a dog that is toy mad. They tend to copy. My dogue is drivey to a degree, he LOVES big tug games but he did grow up with a working line Malinois and watched her train and play. He decided it was worth a go and got very far. Saying that his food drive is really high so I combine the two depending on what we're doing.

You're right I find the mastiffs dont really have that push to keep tugging and driving themselves into prey items, once they grab it they sort of go 'OMG I HAVE IT! ok over that ... lay down time now'

of course lure coarsing brings out the best in every fruit bat ;) try a flirt pole ;)

[Kaffy Magee]

Thanks Corvus.... Weve been working on "focus" and he is doing quite well.

Nekh I dont know anyone with dogs in my area much less toy mad ones. None of mine have ever been in to toys or tugs. Everynow and then I'll try and play with him with a toy and he'll wave his head around in play, grab it softly, then spit it out instantly losing interest,lol.

Would love to try lure coursing! Dont think its available anywhere near me though, would have to travel for that one. Im taking a break from the show ring with him for a litle while so I want to get him started on the obedience, maybe have go at agility and would really like to attempt some tracking one day. Its not the done thing with mastiff breeds, which makes me want to do it even more.

I also have a bitch at home, the one thats very food driven. I thought I would see how she goes with some obedience. She has never done anything, other than show stuff and a bit of informal heeling and drop. But she was sooooo into it, heeling perfectly, very focussed on me, so I'll continue on with her aswell and see how we go.

Thanks again

[becks]

In went outside after my post to see if I could get him worked up a bit and I'm pleased to say it was successful to a degree. The problem with that though is he gets exhausted much quicker and then stops responding as well as he was because he is worn out,lol. I'll keep working on it, I'm pleased with how he did though, seemed much more "alive" and willing to work. Thanks for the info I would love to go to a k9pro workshop one day. Imissed the recent ones here in qld but maybe next time!

I've bolded a bit as I think it is important to stop well before you get to that point, always leave them wanting more, so that next time they are more keen to get into the game.

I'd also think about using the food as part of a game, instead of just handing him the treat, throw it so he chases after it and keep that pace going as you train in a short burst, finishing with him still wanting to come back for another go at the task at hand.

[Nekhbet]

check some of the breed clubs like the whippet club, they might know about lure coarsing.

Make yourself a big flirt pole, grab a furry toy like some lambswool and tie it to the end of a length of thing bungee rope (like a fishing rod) flick it out and get him to chase it, let him catch occasionally and get him to return it. Becks makes an extremely good point dont keep doing it until he's too tired, stop before he falls down otherwise they just think it's something that ends in exhaustion instead of on a high.

[Jigsaw]

If your dog gets excited around dinner time or food being prepared you can use this time too to get some focus and anticipation. Just short little reps at a time before interest is lost.

[trojka]

put them in with a dog that is toy mad. They tend to copy. My dogue is drivey to a degree, he LOVES big tug games but he did grow up with a working line Malinois and watched her train and play. He decided it was worth a go and got very far. Saying that his food drive is really high so I combine the two depending on what we're doing.

You're right I find the mastiffs dont really have that push to keep tugging and driving themselves into prey items, once they grab it they sort of go 'OMG I HAVE IT! ok over that ... lay down time now'

of course lure coarsing brings out the best in every fruit bat ;) try a flirt pole ;)

Aww, look at Scooter (sp?) run! How old was he in those pics?

[OSoSwift]

I find that obedience heeling etc is VERY exhausting for them and even though they may be fit, they will not necessairly be fit to do heeling, concentrating etc.

I woudl do very short bursts stop him well before he is exhausted and work with the flirt pole etc as already mentioned and work on his general fitness. Yes they get worn out more quickly due to build, but get him as fit as he can be and that will help.