Training Suggestions ?

[Silvermarten]

Well Henry Hyperweiler is 1 yr old and I'm looking for thoughts on training . Kind of a 'what would you do' suggestions :D

A little history on him for those who haven't already heard it . Got at 10 weeks . Neutered at 12 weeks . From a byb ( yes , I know better but what's done is done ) . Has always been VERY active . Initially was extremely fearful. Much better now but occasionally a new thing will scare him . Has been in school since about 14 weeks (clicker training) and still going . Recently I've been using a pinch collar out of class to help him understand that he must follow my command on things he clearly knows . This has helped a lot with the ' I know it but don't feel like doing it ' attitude.
He has a very INTENSE prey drive . Anything moves or looks like it could and every fiber of his is ready for action . Doesn't matter what the object is . He loves to chase and 'kill' toys . He's scenting crazy too , the air & the ground . Food rewards are just not his thing . Petting is better than food , and tug or chase games are his favorite rewards . I'd describe him as a happy but highly charged dog . His energy level is astounding . He aproaches everything in life at full bore . There's nothing slow about him . During the last 4 weeks even though neutered young he has started marking things when out . ( don't know if that's usefull info or not :) )
By 8 mths he weighed 68lb and is still that at 1 yr .

So , if you had a dog like this , what direction would you take his training considering his personality/drives ?

[Judi W]

My recommendations would be that you continue with the kind of training that teaches him self-control. All that driviness is useless without direction and self control, but once that self-control becomes strong then (and not before) you can point it in almost any direction.

I'm assuming from your post that he is still in formal classes? Crank that up a notch or two and start with formal retrieves which should be very rewarding for him while keeping on the self control theme. You can add in the jump with keeping the jump low at about 20 inches or so which will not hurt him even though he is young. Add in some send aways and directed retrieves. There is no limit, but concentrate on the self-control teaching.

[Silvermarten]

Thanks for your thoughts :D

Yes, still in class but it's more geared to 'good mannered family dog' training . It's a great class and considering how fearful Henry was as a pup I think it was the right start for him , but now I think we've gone as far as this class will allow. ( I can see clicker training has its limits for some dogs)
I'm considering looking for a more traditional ( wrong word ? ) trainer to take things up a level .

driviness is useless without direction and self control

Thankyou Judi ! You hit it right on . You clearly understood my post and made sense of it . He's full of drive , I was looking for a direction for him but I completely missed the self control issue .

I'll definately work on helping him learn self control . I can see this will take months as he's always overflowing with energy & excitement . No complaints here . I'm commited to him and his training . His enthusiasm makes everyone smile but I know we need to get things more controlled .
He would love the jumps on the retreives but he still likes to 'kill' what he retreives . Maybe we need to wait on that a while ?
So looks like your self control recommendation is exactly where we need to go at this time .
Any self control training tips that you'd like to share would be appreciated .

Thankyou again :D

[Judi W]

Find a real training class. Look for a trial giving club.

The formal retrieve is not a game but a discipline. If you wait until he settles down he might be 12 years old before you start!!!!

It is taught as a discipline by having him sit in front of you, giving him a take it command (whatever you choose), have him hold it a second, then release to your release command. On leash so he can't bolt and run with it. This is done in a calm and steady manner. You do this for a while until he understands. You graduate by having him take it and then you back up having him move forward towards you with it in his mouth, sit in front and release............ progression is in slow steps building a foundation for the dog to accept the item and present to you.

There, is a start.........

[Silvermarten]

I don't think he'll ever settle down !! LOL :D

Thanks for the formal retreive guidence . We will start on the 'take' and 'give' tonight and make some phone calls tomorrow to find a more appropriate training class .
I'm looking forward to having him controlled and focussed . I know it won't happen overnight but it will happen . One step at a time .

:D :D Thankyou :D :D