My dog has great drive so far although I still need to build it much higher. The problem is she's too interested in being at the front gate when she hears other dogs barking and loses interest in what ever we're doing. When we are at the club she will go for the ball non stop and not run off like at home.

I would have thought her interest of other dogs would've disappeared after 2 weeks at the kennel where she's surrounding by them 24/7. I know I need to get her drive up before she can concentrate on the ball but should I stop working her competely in the front yard or not? I find if I tie her back to a tree she is very focused then but if not she'll rather run down and see what all the commotion is about. The reason I cant do it in back yard is because it is paved and has no grass like front garden.

Craig, maybe things are more distracting to her at home because thats where she is normally free to pay attention to them.

What Steve said.

This is your 7 month old GSD bitch? How long have you had her now? Is she still teething?

One thing that is so great about a high drive dog is not just their intensity level but also their ability to focus only on the game at hand for a longer period of time than a lower drive dog. That said, I remember there was a time when you were working your Rottie in OB for a couple hours at a stretch. While I know you know better than to do that now, I want to ask if there is any chance you may be playing the game even a little bit too long? It is "key" to always quit before your dog is tired, leave them always wanting more. I watch for subtle signs, for instance do I see the dog look around for even a second? Does he focus leave me even a little? Do his ears start twitching and turning towards something besides me? Does he sniff the ground even a little? If so, time to put him up.

She could possibly be displaying some protective instinct towards her home/kennel, she could also just be going through a ditszy/dingy puppy thing.

One thing though, since something is causing her to break away from the game, I would stop playing the game with her there at this time until you figure it out. You do not want her to develop that habit.

Ok thanks for the advice. I think her drive is not high enough for these type of distractions yet so will have to build it first. I have a bit more knowledge now so keeping the games short but old habits die hard... At the club they will usually say ok take her off so that's been good for learning to gauge.

Yes she's my 8mnth gsd bitch. Had her for a few weeks now and it's finally getting easier...