Girl gone wild

[Theresa]

OMG I am trying to work with Peanut on heeling a few minutes of each day and she is driving me crazy.    She goes nuts biting the leash, biting my pant leg, "hugging" my legs.  I tried using the ball, treats but she just goes wild.  I dont understand why she is so good at class but bad at home.

ANY suggestions would be much appreciated

[BoxerWB]

Hmm, sounds like maybe you need to step down your attempts to play and entice her-  she's already quite playful and enticed!  It is a fine balance between "up and ready to work" and "up and going every which way"... some folks are better at getting to the very edge of that line, but most of us need to stay a little further from the edge or we just get frustrated!

[Patti]

Do you give her a good run before class? Maybe she has too much energy?

[Newcastle]

Smart Peanut! She knows that class is "work" and home is "relax".

I'm a big fan of peanut butter on a (long handled wooden) spoon (or liverwurst, marshmallow creme, whatever floats her boat - I've even seen people stick a chicken nugget on the end of a dowel).  You can use the spoon to position her head where you want it, and it's easy to treat for behavior and position.

[BoxerWB]

Do you have a "training" collar and leash set that is different from her everyday collar and leash? That is one way I signal to my pups that it is time to "work" instead of playtime.

Also, if you are serious about it being work time, don't let her con you into laughing and going along with her.    They are good at that but it'll cost you 'cause you won't really get any practice in.

[Theresa]

Do you have a "training" collar and leash set that is different from her everyday collar and leash? That is one way I signal to my pups that it is time to "work" instead of playtime.

Not a different leash but a different collar. 

I think I will try the PB tomorrow when it stops raining

[ltournat]

I was also going to suggest wearing her out a bit before training her to heel at home.  Maybe she would focus more.

[Missy/Precious mom]

When I was teaching Precious to heel I bought a 2 foot heeling leash which helped a lot