As for what makes a 6 month old dog tick? I still say the art of leash training has been lost and the art of praise should have never gone away.
I don't say this as a moral issue but rather a technical issue.
But let me get off my soap box. Directional leash training based on TIMING can solve this problem in one work out and the dog will still have desire, drive, focus and fun.
There will be plenty of time for drive lets learn better technique today. Drive is not a technique.

Drive itself is not a technique, but knowing how to use it is.

Kojak wrote:"Why does it seem every answer I read lately has to have the word positive or treat in it rather then the promotion of better technique?"

So why don't you give us, from A to Z, your "better" technique for this situation. . .then if it doesn't SUCK maybe we'll help you promote it. (Rather than just making general statements about treating and positive whatever vs. some lost skill.)

Vince, nice post. SchH3FH2, nice post. That was the direction I was going by asking my questions.

Barb, how are you rewarding at this time? Food, ball, when, where, why, etc. . . .??

BTW, I didn't say hold the leash and walk around. (Off leash)

Originally posted by Kojak:
Directional leash training based on TIMING can solve this problem in one work out and the dog will still have desire, drive, focus and fun.
There will be plenty of time for drive lets learn better technique today. Drive is not a technique. Directional leash training (aka compulsion, aka avoidance conditioning) WILL fix this in probably one session, but there's no fun in it for the dog at all. Avoidance conditioning is based on motivating the dog to work out of fear of the impending aversive stimulus (correction). That fear is the baggage that most folks prefer to avoid, particularly with youngsters. The technique certainly hasn't been lost; but it has been relegated to the back of the tool box for many folks who want to compete with their dogs. With a little patience, you get the same result plus a terrific attitude.

ahha! finally someone said it "for those who want to compete". Once again answers from the sporto's
There is a bigger world out there other then the sporto world. Not every owner competes And not ever answer revolves around a treat. Sometimes a sit just means sit. And who said anything about strict compulsion. Damn ya'll love to call a black cow white. Directional training does not only mean pop the dog. It means learning to use your body to redirect the dog, the dogs attention and the dogs focus. It's kinda like dancing you gotta be good or you look like a dork! And the dog knows it.

And vancamp, I burnt many people last time I gave a technique out line for line. So just as a foot note it does not suck. Thanks though KOJAK

Tiresome attitude. Give it a rest, huh?

Pete Felknor

My primary reason for training is not to compete. I don't consider myself a sporto and I still like to see the results of positive training. It is the best way to go.

I'm waiting for the burn. Lets have it.

Line for line, how about it?? Maybe it sucks. . .

During our "formal" education sessions; Dallas is outfitted with a flat collar and 6ft leash. When placed in a sit/stay; I can walk around, behind, in front of, step over, jump over, jump up and down making weird noise etc. and Dallas will remain in a sit/stay..then slowly slide to a down/stay. Distractions include other dogs running loose and cats doing their "thing." Dallas is focused on me even with all the other stuff going on around her. I reward the majority of the time with praise and only finish with treats. Dallas anticipates the treat reward and actually doesn't do as well with her commands. So..I save the treats now for the last/final release and always ending on a good note. These sessions are limited to 30 minutes practicing a variety of commands and movement.

"Informal" lessons occur off leash; in the house, outside, or where ever...subject includes "come, sit/stay, with me moving around her as I do on leash, then I release her and praise!!!!
Several minutes later; come, sit/down/stay and again I move about her, then release her and praise!!!! This is daily thruout the day/evening routine.

As far as competing..the instructor at class has urged me to shoot for late fall and enter a competion obedience class with Dallas. I have a hard time looking that far down the road..for me its' 24/7 one day at a time.

From all of your helpful responses; perhaps I am moving too fast with her and perhaps I should back off the extended stays for now.

Any other comments or suggestions is greatly appreciated!
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Your doing fine. As I and a few others have said before, a long sit stay is silly, the dog should be in a down. Even in AKC obedience, for the CD the sit stay is only one minute and the down is for 3 minutes. If your pup holds a sit for 2 minutes even under distractions your doing well.