Bitter apple is another way to deal with the mouthing. Just squirt a lot on your hands the first time and after that you should only have to put a little bit on.

I don't know if your yard and running speed allows for this but it's how I teach dogs to bring the ball back to me. I'll start with two balls. One is hidden behind my back or in a pocket while I throw the first one. When they have the first one I let them see the second one but try not to get them too excited over it. In the best case scenario they come running in with the first one where I get them so excited that they drop it. Then I throw the second ball and eventually they learn that if they bring the ball back a second ball will be immediately thrown for them. If they don't come all the way back I get them excited enough to drop the ball and then throw the second one anyway. Then I run out to get the first ball and run back to where I was originally standing and try to get them to come all the way in again or at least get closer then last time. Eventually they get it and start to bring the ball back the whole way.

For some dogs it works and for other dogs they will need to have a long line put on and physically brought back to you until they make the connection. In the first part of the Basic Obedience video Ed is working with a high energy young dog kind of like yours. He has the dog tethered to a tree so that he can reward for calm behavior like not jumping and sitting calmly without having a young dog jumping all over him. You can also tether a dog in the house by putting the loop of a lead over a door knob and closing the door so that the loop of the lead is on the opposite side of the door then the dog. I know I didn't explain that real well but I can't figure out a better way to explain it.

The fun has begun! When I let Sheba out of her kennel this a.m. I made her sit & stay until I gave her the free command. That only took a couple of tries until she got it. But once I gave her the free command it was on. She bolted out & as I'm trying to get the leash on her she begins the mouthing. I had sprayed my hand heavily in bitter apple (had tried it before but thought it might work this time) anyway it didn't work this time either. She started chewing the leash as usual. I grabbed her & put her back in the kennel. Oh, the crying & carrying on she did after that. Anyway, today I'm going to focus on the sit & stay & trying to get the leash on her. I wish someone would invent a collar that the leash ring would remain at the top of her neck rather than below her jaw. It would make things so much easier.

These are the collars you need. http://www.gundogsupply.com/cerisaco.html
The center ring stays on top of the dog's neck and makes it sooo much easier to hook the leash on to the collar.
Also, you can teach her to wait in the kennel until you have the leash on her, then let her out.

I thank you & my hands thank you!!

Wanda,

My dog laughs at bitter apple. Tabasco sauce makes an impression on him though.

Rich

 Quote: Wanda Bradsher

It is difficult to get a leash or the prong collar on her. She won't sit still for either one & she has figured out how to roll on her side as we struggle with the prong collar. I don't have much strength in my hands & it is very hard for me to squeeze the ends of the prongs together so they will fit together.

The first thing I teach my dog that he has to SIT for a collar and wait patiently when I walk out the door. It is not that hard really. You need to wait until he calms down and then put on when he gets so excited again stop and wait til he settles down again. Try again, I'm sure it takes him about 10 or 20 minutes to realize that if he stays excited, the longer he has to wait.

I got the collar that you had recommended & wow! what a difference. Now I'm able to actually get a leash on Sheba. A trainer at a small pet shop had told me to use Peppermint breath spray to stop the mouthing. I sprayed it in her mouth (not face) when she started mouthing me & chewing the leash & it worked. Our grandchildren came over last night & we were able to give her a good workout without the mouthing, etc.