Drive is the ability and propensity of a dog to exhibit a particular
pattern of behaviors when faced with particular stimuli. Drives are
triggered by these particular stimuli and expressed in a typical and
predictable way that is associated with the particular stimulus. Drives can
be enhanced or diminished through experience (e.g., training, environment,
et cetera), but they cannot be created or eliminated. Traditionally defined
in the working dog literature as an exaggerated, instinctual response to
certain stimuli and situations. Drive is most narrowly and clearly defined
as a willingness, vigor, or enthusiasm to engage in certain behavior,
contexts, or situations.
Often people will refer generically about the "Drives" of dogs and sometimes it can be really confusing. A "Drive" can be hormonal, instinctual, genetic, or even compulsive energy in both body and mind that can be affected by the health of a dog. Many professionals may define and explain these drives differently. Below is a list of some of the different drives, levels and explanations the drive of a dog may have. Some Professionals define "Drives" as unconscious, biological impulses that carry out important vital functions. They display in a physical manifestation of the dog’s personality and energy. How a dog sees and reacts to things, such as food, physical presence of other people or dogs, things that move, etc. all fall under the “drive” category.
To better understand your dog, rate and keep a record of each of these drives below on a scale of 1-10 approximately every 6 months. This will also help you understand how best to train your dog. Please note that some of the drives below are not desirable in a German Shepherd Dog.
Activity Drive
Dogs high in "Activity Drive" are often
destructive if they have no outlet and become easily bored. They need a lot
of mental and physical stimulation to channel all the energy they have.
These dogs love to work and stay busy. A trait related to this drive is
excitement when working. Energetic dogs with high activity drive are like an
"energizer-bunny." A dog with a low activity drive is often considered lazy.
Sometimes differentiated in "Play Drive" as defined below.
Play Drive
This "Drive" is the desire to have physical
activities with its owner or other dogs. Seen in puppies, some outgrow this
drive as adults. Playing is a main display with this drive as well as
bumping, mouthing, and pawing while young. Well socialized, confident and
friendly dogs can retain this drive more often as adults. Games played with
objects and toys are in this category. Dogs will often bring their game toys
to their masters indicating they want to play together. Dogs with this kind
of drive this often demand attention.
Alpha, Dominance or Rank Drive
This Drive is the desire to be
the leader, "Alpha" or the "Pack Leader." Dogs with high rank drive always try to
dominate other dogs especially in their homes. They are often aggressive
with almost all dogs in general. A dog with this drive may even challenge
the handler who must establish dominance. These dogs are sometimes even difficult to teach the down
position because it is a submissive position. Dogs with this drive are always
referred to as "dominant". You will see dogs with this Alpha Drive in both
males and females (a female is often referred to as an Alpha Bitch), at a very young age,
even after being spayed or neutered. Humans in a family must establish complete
dominance over a dog with this type of drive.
Avoidance or Comfort Drive
This "Comfort Drive" is the drive dogs have to
avoid discomfort, pressure, confrontation, pain, danger etc., to reach
comfort and safety. These dogs like to maintain a state of equilibrium and
peace. This drive requires training through negative reinforcement and
discipline consequences in addition to positive reinforcements.
Defense Drive
This "Defense Drive" puts the dog into a "Fight
Mode" or
"Flight Mode" when it senses something is wrong. In "Flight Mode" fear is
the main driving force of this drive is fear as well as a lack of
self-confidence. A classic sign is when the dog retreats, cowers or hides
behind its owner. In extreme situations, the anal glands are often
expelled just as the dog reaches the flight response. Dogs while in this
drive are highly stressed and are extremely uncomfortable. Many dogs can
perceive this as a life or death situation. Dogs in flight mode will
eventually flee or show avoidance behavior if the danger or threat
doesn't go away. A dog that is cornered can easily bite out of fear.
In defensive "Fight Mode" or also known as "Protection Drive," and "Guardian Mode" dogs will protect what they feels is theirs, especially if they feel threatened. If a dog moves in front of his owner when an unfamiliar dog or a person approaches them, or quietly steps between his human child and another kid fighting, that is protection. There are other body language hints, such as hunched posture, tail curled below, exposed teeth, and ears pushed back Other key body language and vocalization cues that may correspond with the standing hair are growling, loud barking, rigid posture, puckered lips and extended staring. This is the drive that will cause a dog to drive out an adversary, and protect territory, possessions, offspring, or pack/family member. Protection, by its very definition, requires the presence of a legitimate, identifiable threat.
Exploring Drive
This is the "Inquisitive Drive" that dogs have to
explore and search their surroundings and environment with their senses. These include
sight, sound, hearing, touch, taste and scent. Tracking, Search and Rescue
and Scent Dogs have a strong "Exploring Drive."
Fight Drive
Dogs with this "Drive" love
physical combat. They enjoy the challenge of the fight. "Fight Drive" is
similar to humans who enjoy participating in ego-fueled fighting sports that test power,
endurance, strength, confidence and courage. The more battles the dog wins,
the higher the drive becomes. Even if pain is inflicted, they continue to
fight. Dogs with this drive are in it to win. Police dogs must have this
drive. The dog must be extremely confident of himself.
Food Drive
This is the Drive when dogs love to eat and
drink, A dog with high "Food Drive" will usually gobble most anything you
give it, sometimes without even chewing it. They quickly chow down and seem
to devour their food and water. They almost bite with excitement when given
a treat. Having a dog with high "Food Drive" can be rewarded and motivated
with treats. Dogs with low food drive are picky eaters. They often will drop
a treat on the ground and smell and investigate it first or even leave it
when not hungry.
Freedom Drive
This is the "Drive" of a dog that seem to
want to do as it pleases. This dog desires independence, the physical and mental liberty to
do its own thing - whatever it wants. It is important to keep this in check with training as
soon as you get receive your dog. Dogs with "Freedom Drive" can be harder to
train.
Herding Drive
This "Drive" uses a dog's
natural instinct and desire to keep everyone together and under their
control and watchful eye. Nipping when someone is moving away is a common
trait of this drive. A dog guiding a group of sheep into a pen is a good
example of this drive. Dogs with this drive often get uncomfortable and even
anxious when one family member leaves the room while the other family
members stay in the room.
Hunt Drive and Prey Drive Distinctions
In "Hunt Drive" the goal is to catch,
and/or eat food, satisfy hunting instinct, practice hunting skills
and possess the prey. Searching, chasing, biting, capturing, killing,
holding or eating prey or an object. There is a slight distinction between "Hunt
Drive" and "Prey Drive." Hunt drive is motivated by the action and excitement of the
pursuit, or the hunting chase process.
"Prey Drive" is motivated by having the prey. Dogs high in "Prey Drive" also shake their heads vigorously from side to side once they have the prey item in their mouth to kill it by thrashing. Dogs in this drive often become fixated on an object. Dogs will also often re-grip the prey item to get more into their mouth. The basic goal / instinct of this drive is to catch and kill, and often eat its prey.
Maternal or Parental Drive
This is the
"Drive" ascribed to females, mothers in caring for their young. There
are different levels of this in a mother raising her puppies, from birth to the
time they are ready to leave the pack. It includes protecting, feeding, nurturing,
teaching, and disciplining their puppies. Mothers have tremendous influence
over how their puppies will conduct themselves as adults.
Pack Drive
Dogs with this "Drive" have
high desire to be with their pack members / family and are very
social. They often follow their owners everywhere and seek out attention and
affection frequently. Dogs with high "Pack Drive" can experience loneliness
and often have separation
anxiety issues. Dogs with this drive are quite easy to train since the dog
will eagerly work for affection and praise. They will be happy and their
tail will wag and get excited upon simply hearing your voice.
Sex Drive
This "Drive" is about sexual
reproduction and mating for both males and females. A male dog can smell a
female dog in heat from miles away. A male can attempt to escape from his
home, become disobedient, distracted or act aggressively. There can be a decrease in
attentiveness and a lack of response to commands. Male dogs may try to reach
the female dog in heat by any means, including digging or jumping over
fences. If they are tied up, they might attempt to chew through the tether.
They also often increase scent-marking behavior, and fight with other
males in an attempt to ward off potential rivals.
A female dog in heat emits powerful odors, strong enough to entice suitors from 3 miles away. During this time, her urine contains hormones and pheromones easily detected by male dogs, who can detect her scent and condition from great distances. She will begin to mark depositing urine on various spots in and out of the house, signaling her receptiveness to mating. Females tend to develop behaviors that they do not typically display. Female dogs about to go into heat are usually nervous, agitated, or easily irritated.
Subordinate Drive
Dogs with this "Drive"
are submissive. They are followers and prefer to have someone else in
charge. They do not challenge authority. The higher this drive, the more
submissive the dog. Some frequently roll over on their back exposing their
belly, they can often have submissive urination issues.
Dogs with this drive are not comfortable making eye contact.
Elements of Temperament: Drives, Thresholds and Nerves
Fun Facts: The German Shepherd is easier to train than the Belgian Malinois. If you are a brand new pet owner and inexperienced with training or if
you prefer a dog that learns to listen and respond a bit more easily and quickly, then a German Shepherd may be a good option for you. German Shepherds are a “thinking” breed, while Belgian Malinois are
more of a “reacting” breed.
German Shepherd dogs express less aggression compared to the Belgian Malinois. According to the American Kennel Club, the German Shepherd is the second
or third most popular breed of purebred dog while the
Malinois ranks in at #51.