Molly has just turned 1 and is a definate teenager. My problem with her is she is so laid back that nothing really motivates her. She is food and play driven if training in the house or garden but outside she just wants to run to meet people and other dogs in the dog park and just ignores me the whole time we are in there. I have tried playing ball with her, running around with her and playing hide and seek but she just gets fed up of that and just wants to run around. I wish she was motivated by the ball as then it would be easier to train her to stay near me. Any suggestions on how to find her motivator? She is perfect in the house and have so much fun playing but outside I don't seem to exist for her, it is very frustrating when she just ignores me sometimes I even wonder if she knows her name as when I call her she doesn't even look around at me. I know she does though as she answers to it at home. Sorry for the long post was a bad dog park day today she really tried my patience and I have a lot after bringing up 2 human teenagers. I just wish I could flip a switch and find that motivator!

What about getting a long leash for her when you are at the dog park? Then, when you call her to you and she doesn't come, you can use the leash to guide her back to you. Once you get her back to you then act really happy and excited and give her a treat. It should help improve her recall because she will know she HAS to come back to you when you call and also that she will be rewarded for it.

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--Briana--

You might need higher value treats when the distractions are higher. Cut up chicken or cheese, something like that. Also, I have been watching this video:
Leerburg | The Power of Training Dogs with Food DVD

and there is a whole section on establishing focus and getting your dog engaged with you, as a foundation for any other training you do.

I can't use the long leash at the dog park as there are too many trees so it just wraps around them, I will take her to a field and try it there probably less distractions for her then too. I have tried all sorts of treats even made my own with liver and garlic, stank the whole house out but Molly just wasn't interested outside the house, every other dog at the park loved me though. I will take a look at the DVD as I do need more focus from her when we are out she's like my shadow at home. She was so bad with recall yesterday that I even considered a zapping collar I really don't want to go down that route though I want to train her to want to come to me not come to me through pain.
I am really stumped as to find something to motivate her outside as all she wants to do is run about meeting people and there dogs. Does anyone else have a golden like Molly or is she unique? Lol
Thank you for your replies.
Xx

Sounds like the dogpark is just too distracting for Molly at this point, she is just bent on having fun - she is a young dog and needs to get her 'zoomies' out.. Work with and reward focus and attention on you at home and on quiet walks. At home when you are playing with her, stop the play every so often, call her to you, reward her, and release her to go play. Practice recall at home, and on walks with not too much distraction going on, remember to have a party, feed a jackpot, (a few treats fed one at a time) every so often, lots of praise - let her know she has done the greatest thing ever! Even if it was only from a few feet away.
People often have 'problems' with their dogs ignoring them once they are off leash, because, the only time the dog hears from them is when it is time to stop playing and go home. You can minimize that by calling Molly to you intermittently, offering her a reward,and/or just having her sit, and releasing her to go play immediately. Be aware of when you call her, if she is fully involved in a play or chase with another dog, she is not likely to come, if they are taking a break, the odds are better. Never punish or get angry, try calling her and walking or running away from her, but make sure you throw that party when she gets there - no matter how long it takes.

I have now upped the training at home, playing more hide and seek games and practicing the 'here Molly's with my daughter up and down the hallway, I have even started feeding her abit of her meals saying Molly watch me to try and get her to focus more. I will continue taking her to the dog park as she needs to get rid of some of her zoomies but when she is running towards me I will try and get her focused on me with the treats. I am sure we will get there eventually and I will probably look back at this post in a years time and wonder why I spent so much time worrying I just want her to turn into a well behaved and happy dog.