I have an adult male american pit bull terrier. I am currently using leerburg methods from his video. I am to the point where he knows sit and down and starting recall. I had been using treats for his drive for new things. I wanted to start heel. I happen to find out he has drive for a tennis ball. So I used this with success in the sit, down and recall. I tried a heel and he went crazy like jumping for the ball, jumping on me to get the ball tearing my clothes with his nails missing the ball getting my arm. no blood or anything more mouthy than a bite. My question is I am new to the using drive to teach/build speed. Always used treats then praise.
Should I discontinue the ball. Because he is so mouthy or continue and channel it. Like I said I don't no if this is just normal for dogs with lots of drive. An almost possession or focus on the ball. I do plan on getting the drive and focus video but just need something now while I am in the midst of training. I have been searching leerburg site and have found good info on drive but just can seem to put my finger on my situation.

thanks in advance for your responses

I would put a leash on a flat collar and loop the leash under my foot, hold the leash with my right hand and the ball with my left hand (perhaps if he goes too crazy for the ball and won't focus on you, use something he has less desire to have, but enough to be rewarding). Now take a few steps with the leash under your foot, the prey item in your left hand and the leash in your right, if he jumps for the prey item your left foot will lift up because the leash is under it, stomp your foot back down to the ground to let him know that jumping gives no success. Then do the usual "take 2 steps, reward.. take 4 steps, reward, take 3, reward, 9, reward, 7, reward etc etc. I correct my dog with a "no" when he walks ahead of me or falls behind on a heel - not a strong no, just strong enough to make him realize he's not doing it properly, he'll then slow his pace.

I don't know if this is the "correct" training method, but this is how I would deal with it, the building drive, focus & grip DVD doesn't go into much detail with heeling thru drive so I go with what works for me.

So if the video does not go into it what would possibly the normal way of training the heal. Is it better to teach with a more mild drive ie food and then come in with the prey drive of the ball to brush up or just use your prior method.

I use a combination of compulsion and motivation to teach heel, he doesn't understand the concept without some type of correction to show him what hes NOT supposed to do instead of only what he IS supposed to do - but the correction is minimal and use of food to relieve the stress of correction is a good way to go.

Now, wether using compulsion for this is a good technique for certain training goals I do not know - but my dog didn't understand the concept of walking next to me purely on PR, he needed to be shown that walking next to me was right, and walking ahead of me was wrong, without correction it was a gray area - I didn't need to use alot of correction for it, just enough to let him know one thing was right and the other was wrong. I try to always work with hotdogs when I issue corrections in training.

Well, if you bought the ball on a string that Ed sells, that would reduce the loss of any appendages i.e., fingers.

Are you trying to train a "competition" heel or do you want a walk right beside me where ever I go heel? There is a difference.

My first suggestion would be to cut his nails <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Try going back and getting attention, mark it, step away and drop the ball. If he wanders too much you will have to leave the leash on. If he is too crazy and only looking at the ball, I would recommend a training vest to put the ball in, or a different toy that doesn't get him so goofy. You can work up to the ball later. Teach the attention till you are getting him to stare at you for a minute or so. I think this will help you.

go anywhere I go I don't plan on competing him in obedience but I want at least an excellant heel. He walks great. We go for long walks and he stays on my left with rarely any corrections. I just want an excellant heel. down the road I would like a backwards heel as well. I don't know if that would be competition heel or not if so than I will go that route.

thanks for the info all of you it really helps