[moondog]

You can play the "Take It/Leave It" game with her to help her learn what you mean when you say "Leave It". She will catch on quick to this game and I would make a point to play it each day for awhile, and occasionally thereafter to reinforce the lesson.

Teaching "Leave It": Have your puppy on leash and a bunch of small treats. Drop a treat on the ground and say "Take it", drop another in a different place and say "Take it"...repeat with 5-6 treats, saying "Take it" each time....then drop one by your foot, cover it with your foot so the puppy can't get it, and say "Leave it". The puppy will try to get it, but won't be able to. Wait, and the puppy will look up at you (in confusion, LOL) and at that precise moment, you say "GOOD Leave it!!!" and reward with a treat from your hand. Do NOT let the puppy get the treat under your foot, pick it up and start the game again. Repeat 2-3 times, a couple times a day, and when your puppy has caught on, practice using other things, such as toys, or rocks, or sticks or leaves....the only difference is you will reward with a safe item (treat or ball or ?). If you practice this faithfully, your puppy will learn to look at your eyes when you say "Leave It". ALWAYS reward when your puppy gives you the behavior you want.

If you teach this to her, it will in time translate to her whether she is on leash time or on puppy free play time.