Tl;dr: I need advice on how to build engagement with my dog who doesn't have much interest in treats when on walks (he often doesn't want to take them, or takes them just to get it over with and then let's it fall from his mouth)
This is Nox, a year and a half old Border Collie (allegedly). He's a great dog that learns quickly and is super friendly to everyone, but he doesn't really want to engage with me when outside on a walk. If there's a ball in question, or a stick, he's kinda engaged, but it's more like he's watching when/if I'll throw it, rather than keeping his focus on me.
If I have it in my hand, he'll kinda listen to commands, but he's hyper about it and not really thinking that much, just doing something as quickly as he can so i throw the item for him. Lately, i was able to teach him wait when i throw items, where i'll tell him to wait, throw it, and he'll check in for me to gove him the command that he can go get it. We're still on light throws this way, cause not sure if he could contain himself if I threw it full force, but it's a beginning.
The thing I want to build is his engagement with me during the walks so I can have him off leash at some point, and be confident that he'll behave (right now, i sometimes have him off leash in the areas where I have a great view of the surroundings and know he'll listen to me before anyone could approch close enough for him to engage with them). He doesn't really do check ins, and even when he does, it's hard to reward him and encourage him to do it more as he isn't that interested in food/treats (and I tried all kinds of treats). So, I'm not sure how to build more engagement with him and how to reward him for stuff I want to encourage, and would really appreciate any advice you have, especially if you were in similar situations. He also has some reactivity issues, and I think that without engagement, it's just harder for me to correct those things.