Training Tips: Preventing Overexcitement During Training

Has this ever happened to you? You pull out the bag of treats, ready to work on some new tricks with your dog, but they’re either too excited to work, or they could care less about the chicken jerky in your hand? You aren’t alone, and there’s a pretty easy way to get your training back on track.

In this article, we’ll deal with two situations, overexcited dogs and pups who are less than enthused.

First, the overexcited dog. Usually they’re food motivated, full of energy and eager to learn. There are a lot of advantages to working with this kind of dog. They’re typically pretty easy to train once you figure out the best way to do it.

Start by creating a calm environment. If they’re been crated all day while you’re working, then go for a short walk, or play in the backyard. Once they’ve had a chance to get out some energy, it’s time to work.

One of the biggest mistakes I didn’t realize I was making when I had a new puppy was using “high value” treats for an already food motivated dog. Puppies, especially ones under 4 or 5 months, have very sensitive stomachs, so a lot of vets I’ve talked to suggest using kibble for training until they’re able to digest treats and other foods.

So instead of using those really good looking training treats, try just using your pup’s food. If that isn’t enough to catch their attention, try breaking up a really good treat, the jerky or meaty kind that they can really smell, and put it in a little bag with their food. The smell and possibility that it could be a really good treat is usually enough to get their attention, without setting off one of those strings where they do every trick they know hoping it’s what you want.

If that does happen, calmly ask for a basic command, like a sit, and give them a moment to process before asking for that command again. If you’re calm, the puppy should calm down too.

Tips for Overexcited Dogs:

• Don’t use “high value” treats. Try training with their everyday food.
• Mix in “high value” treats with kibble to keep them guessing.
• Create a calm environment.
• Give dogs a chance to get out pent-up energy before training.
• Mix in verbal praise and pats. Not all rewards need to be food based.

Now to the other end of the spectrum, those puppies who just don’t care about food and don’t seem interested in doing what you want to do. Some dogs just aren’t food motivated, so there are a few ways to approach this. Figure out what your dog does like. Is it praise and pats from you? Their favorite toy? Or a super special food they rarely get?

Figure out what your dog will work for and use that. If play time is a reward for learning to sit, then use the ball as a lure instead of a treat. Getting to know your dog is the easiest way to learn how to work as a team.

Use times when you’re dog is excited to capitalize on training. Have them sit and stay while tossing around the ball, or ask for a down before putting on the leash to go for a walk.

Tips for Working with Underexcited Dogs

• Find out what your dog will work for. Praise, toys, food
• Mix in training during exciting situations. While playing or before dinner time.