Okay, so my little pup is not so little anymore. He is (10) months old and approx a healthy 70 lbs.

He is doing great with Training Commands (Heel, Sit, Stay, Down, Wait, Go Play, Let's Go). Initially, I only worked on focused training with him during our walks (morning & night). We're now working on the distraction phase at our local Big Apple convenience store.

In the meantime, I have expanded the Training (basically sit-stay and down-stay) sucessfully with him inside, in the kitchen. I've had lesser success in the living room (where I am sitting down instead of standing/walking/cooking).

Usually, he ends up either in his crate or outside on his tie-up, while we sit down to watch t.v., as he cannot seem to relax with us in the living room, as he gets MOUTHY and refuses to follow his commands for more than few minutes. Ironically, he usually doesn't have any issues with the sit-stay or down-stay in the bathroom.

He also struggles with "unregulated" time ... meaning if I don't give him a specific command, he tends to get MOUTHY with either me or the leash. When this happens, if I start the HEEL, he chills out and from there I can Sit him or whatever.

I am thinking that it is his NEED for attention that drives these two issues. But it is hard not to pay attention when he is being MOUTHY. When he behaves this way, I end up crating him.

Any suggestions on how to transition him away from these issues?

My first suggestion to situations like these is to up the exercise time. My dog acts exactly like yours does (same age, too) if he doesn't get his 'bonus' exercise time. By that I mean extra exercise in addition to walks or training. Occassional marrow bones work well, too, if he's just feeling chewy. I know that's what's going on when my flip-flops become in danger of their lives. My dog doesn't get mouthy to us, but he does become "Mr. I-need-attention-and-I'm-big-and-impossible-to-ignore" when we're trying to relax.

What works for me is a simple fetch game, short and sweet, about three times a day. That way I burn out his puppy energy without burning myself out. I ALWAYS do this before we have quiet time (TV time or a movie, or company over for dinner, etc.) or he will be a nutty mess.

Have you taught a "settle" command? You know, "chill" or whatever you want, just a command to have him hang out (sit/down, whatever)? I've started to work on this and it seems to be sinking in with my 7 month old pup (who acted EXACTLY as you described--and still has the propensity to act that way)

So ironic you post this, as just last night, for the first time, my 7 month GSD spent 15 WHOLE minutes in our living room while the family watched tv!!! HUGE milestone. I tried to wrap it up before he started to get squirrley (which would have been ideal), but after having "settled" it was all such a joy for him, that he leaped right up on my husband's lap (3 times!!!) and I had to get his toy to turn it around into a positive thing for him, there sitting on the floor, then took him outside, then crated him.

1). I made sure he was exercised before doing this...
2). Have been hitting short, focused play sessions (2 to 5 minutes of HIGH energy play) followed by crate time several times a day...
3.) Focused OB work
These things combined (with working on teaching "settle") seem to help his focus and he can relax a bit...
Good luck!!!

I agree with Michele....

My Mali is two now and she is just really starting to settle on a big pillow in the living room.....it is really hard for her, especially if we ask each other to "toss me the remote please...."

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but after having "settled" it was all such a joy for him, that he leaped right up on my husband's lap (3 times!!!)

LOL