I forgot to mention....try crating her for a while before training sessions. This should build her excitement level.

Chuck
Nice save! The rest of us(me) were loosing it again <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> . When the dog is in the crate, find out what her motivation is,food, toys, praise, and tease her with it before you let her out. Frustration builds drive. Compulsion(leash corrections) at this point, will just set her back. When she is wound up, let her out, give command, and reward for correct response. Then play some more.

Play is important but a lot of bonding can be accomplished in more neutral ways like just hanging out together. You come home from work, she is happy to see you but then you start TALKING to her and she figures "oh oh - it's that training stuff again" and all the happy voices in the world aren't going to convince her that it isn't serious stuff. I don't think you can force
"bonding" as it isn't a thing you do, it is something that just happens in your relationship with your dog through evertything you do with the dog and like friendship it can't be forced. Relaxing with a dog by your feet while reading or watching TV or doing something else is just as much bonding as the activity stuff. You say she follows you around from room to room which would indicate she is already bonded to you. Just relax and BE with each other sometimes and enjoy the puppy (and let her be a puppy)

Good thought Tiggy. The rest of us are trying to hard, just like Sharon. This is a bonding question, more than a training question.
Sharon
RELAX DAMIT! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks And Again Thanks !!

I thank you and Macy thanks you !!
When I get home from work and Macy gets freedom - she is a real wild child !!
So now instead of correcting her - I take her outside and we play ball for awhile to get some of that built of energy out of her.
Actually we play quite a bit - last night we played hide-n-seek; she definetly isn't ready for search and rescue yet, though - It probably took her 10 minutes to find me - And I was just in the closet with the door ajar so that it wouldn't be so hard to sniff me out. But I don't think she has a clue on how to sniff someone out.
I will give her a sit/stay or down/stay command and then I go hide and call out "break" (her release word) - And she goes charging through the house looking for me. Well, last night she kept running past the closet where I was hiding and had no clue I was in there - I couldn't believe she couldn't at least hear me laughing. Finally I just had to make a noise so that she would look in the closet - It was fun for both of us !!
During the day while I am at work she stays in a pretty good size xpen - has quite a few toys in there with her,and a bowl of water - she has room to play if she wants to. But actually I think she just kind of lays around or maybe chews on a bone till I get home from work. At night when she goes to bed she sleeps in her crate.
What I am wondering is - if this is okay letting her stay in the xpen? It's a little more freedom that being in her crate. But oldearthdog said something about using her toys or a treat to tease her with while in her crate to motivate her.
But she actually is not in her crate during the day and has access to toys all day in her xpen.
So is this not a good thing to do?
Thanks for the previous advice and am anxious to hear your views on this one.
Thanks Sharon

Sharon
She should have one special toy that she only gets as a reward for correct response. You say she has all he toys with her in the x-pen. You need to figure out which one is her favorite, and only use that as a reward. To many toys can lessen their importance.

Thanks earthdog - that makes a lot of sense - She does have a favorite toy, and I also bought her a new one that I haven't given to her yet - I will save that one to use also when we are doing training work, and also seperate her favorite toy from the rest.
Would you say its okay to go ahead and let her stay in the xpen during the day then - and let her have the extra room ?
It's like her little space while I'm at work or when I'm busy and can't keep a close eye on her.
Thanks again !

I just wanted to add a note of "Thanks" to everyone !!
Macy and I have been having a lot more successful training sessions. We are mixing a lot of play in with training and it has made a huge difference!!
You were right bonding just happens, as you grow closer together.
Thanks Again Everyone !!