Releasing toys

Hello everyone, I have a couple of questions any advice would be appreciated

1. In the house Harley will release his toy on command by holding his collar looking the other way and saying "thank you" but when were out and playing with a toy he tugs it and sounds like hes going to eat me the way he growls lol If i then try to get him to release he will turn his head and nip my arm just wondering if its too much to hold the collar in the exited state what do you guys think?

2. can anyone recommend a good long line? one that gives him freedom as his recall isn't 100%  but we are getting there the one he has is quite hard on the hands.

Thank you

Heya Beth...

I wouldn't recommend holding Harleys collar to teach the 'leave' command. Staffies love a good game of tug so he's probably getting super excited when your out and about and just wants to play tug rather than fetch maybe.

Be sure to reward Harley when he does leave in the house with treats and lots of praise and do the same on walks. He's still only a pup so it will take time.

You could always leave the toy at home until he has mastered leave without holding his collar. When he nips, remove the toy altogether.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Puppy-Training-Obedience-Leash/dp/B009OZY1F2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422622428&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+training+line

I used this lead so you can extend it further a little at a time. worked wonders

Agree, I wouldn't hold onto his collar to get him to leave. You shouldn't need to make contact with him. Just give him the tug toy, tug a bit with one hand and with the other hold a treat to his nose and say "leave" or whatever your command is. Treat as soon as he releases.
Slowly use treats less and less or get him to leave and sit to get a treat. We are still working on it with Bane but found this method has worked the best

As for a long line, we have one just the same as above but in yellow. It's made from thick webbing so is easy on the hands...ours just has no way or recalling it, so once you've finished using it in this weather it needs to go in the wash as it has been dragged through goodness knows what
And Bane likes to tie people up with it

Bane wrote:Agree, I wouldn't hold onto his collar to get him to leave. You shouldn't need to make contact with him. Just give him the tug toy, tug a bit with one hand and with the other hold a treat to his nose and say "leave" or whatever your command is. Treat as soon as he releases.
Slowly use treats less and less or get him to leave and sit to get a treat. We are still working on it with Bane but found this method has worked the best

As for a long line, we have one just the same as above but in yellow. It's made from thick webbing so is easy on the hands...ours just has no way or recalling it, so once you've finished using it in this weather it needs to go in the wash as it has been dragged through goodness knows what
And Bane likes to tie people up with it

That is how we taught the leave command as well