David;
Have you tried manipulating the food drive, then practice at home, with food, then bring up in drive with prey, then go to park? I don't want to be arguementative........it's just I was
coming up with suggestions that I know work, when executed and I didn't know if you were asking for your dog or just in general, a doggy question. Perhaps, I misunderstood your post.
Dogs have to be "in drive" for the handler, toy, or food, before the dog can focus without compulsion, and frankly, I see way too many dogs corrected for lack of attention, when the handler has not proven himself worthy. Ooooo feel like I'm getting on a soap box, lololololo. Some dogs can work thru drive compulsion drive, and look great, but the handler and the dog have to meet a number of standards. It's hard to address on a computer.......

All, Thanks for your feedback.

What is great is that there are so many differing opinions and so much experience.

Food first, bring up the prey drive, introduce distractions and then correction after they have learned what is being asked. Agree this is a very effective approach and does work. No arguments on this

Roni, this is for my dog and wasn't a general question. I do agree this is hard to address on the computer without actually seeing what is going on. Thanks again to everyone for their input.

I do agree and have always felt that the dog has to be in "drive" for something so that they can learn. Compulsion in my opinion is not a reason to learn, nor is it fair to the dog. It isn't fair to correct for something they don't know.

My post was directed mainly at using a "toy" as opposed to food as a motivator to "teach" since she is more motivated by this. Agree that food is easier and will allow the dog to think through what is being asked in a more calm state than the..."gotta get the ball, gotta get the ball" state. We have been using food in the past as a reward and it has worked. This was done inside the house, controlled environment, and she has learned fast. Problem comes when working outside, either in the yard or park, she is more excited and will not even focus on the food reward, but will for the toy. She responds extremely well to praise and the toy, but has never been food motivated even as a pup. Just looking for alternate options and experiences.

What I will try is to get her out of the over excited state by doing some focus work with a toy and then swith to a food reward. This may or may not work. Only way to find out is to try. This will hopefully get her out of the "party time" mode and into a focused and learning mode.

My goal is to eventually get into Schutzhund, so there is alot more I have to "teach" than what she currently knows. Just looking for feedback on what may work the best and other peoples experiences.

Thanks again to all who responded. If there are any other thoughts, I would appreciate them.