My dog gets too excited when we train...

[jezzabelle]

I am a first time GSD owner. have a 4 month old male. He is very intelligent, well-behaved, and is very treat-motivated. So far he has learned the simple commands such as sit, lay down, come, speak, quiet, stay, go potty and go inside. Today, I sat down with him and started to work on "shake." I would make him sit, then shake. He was getting the hang of the command but would want to bite the hand he was shaking, as if looking for the treat. When he successfully completed the command, I would give him his treat with my other hand when I would say "good boy!" It seemed that he was beginning to understand the hand he was shaking was not where he was getting the treat from, and he wasn't trying to bite it anymore. He then began to get very excited, barking at me when I would say "sit" and then he started to bite my hand again, and then clawed me in the neck with his other paw out of excitement. I immediately stopped training with him and giving him treats, as I did not want to reward him for this type of behavior. Is there anything I should do to calm him down when we train? Even when we go over the things he knows, he gets very excited and will lunge for his treat and bark. Is it because he is still very young and has a very short attention span? Or am I doing something wrong?

[Mary Beth]

You have made amazing progress with your 4 month pup. Yes, I agree with you, at that age he just gets overexcited easily - like a preschooler. Keep the training session very short - when he does it once well that is enough. Then let him play. Then later on, do a another short session. But be sure to stop before he gets excited.

[Nigel]

Agree with Mary Beth. Our pup is the same, just keep training sessions short and maybe time them after play or exercise.

[spidermilk]

Mine was the same as a puppy and can even get a little too excited now. I will play or exercise a few hours before I want to train so he can get tired but have time to calm down. I also use pretty low-key treats- just plain dry kibble dog food will work for him (I save the good treats for tough distraction filled training). Mine also took some time learning to take treats gently- I would either wear leather gloves or toss the treat to him or to the ground.

[Jag]

I tried treat training, but I found that when I had no treat (or tried to give treats not each time) I wasn't getting any obedience. Try with a toy like a ball. I was shocked that my boy heeled for his new trainer (which he's NEVER done) just because he played with him with a ball first, then held the ball under his arm! You don't want him too tired. Some of that excitement can be used to get faster responses to commands.

[Lilie]

Teach your pup something easy for him, like 'look' or 'watch me'. When you are working through training him tricks and you see he is beginning to lose focus (getting excited) then quickly finish with the easy trick.

Make sure you offer him a great game afterwards. Keep training fun and exciting.

[wolfy dog]

Originally Posted by Jag

I tried treat training, but I found that when I had no treat (or tried to give treats not each time) I wasn't getting any obedience. Try with a toy like a ball. I was shocked that my boy heeled for his new trainer (which he's NEVER done) just because he played with him with a ball first, then held the ball under his arm! You don't want him too tired. Some of that excitement can be used to get faster responses to commands.

With treat training it is crucial to build off the treats as soon as possible. Once the dog starts to understand the behavior, you put it on cue, then reward intermittently, then you replace treats with play or praise. Using treats too long for a behavior he already knows, leads to a dog that will only obey when you have treats.
The book "Don't Shoot the Dog" from Karen Pryor explains this in detail and is a must to understand clicker training.
You only use treats to teach new behavior.

[wolfy dog]

Originally Posted by spidermilk

I will play or exercise a few hours before I want to train so he can get tired but have time to calm down.

I don't understand that "train session" concept. Training is ongoing and will have to be integrated into daily life. (MHO)
Play and exercise IS training as well.