Now I really really want to see a clip.

My goal: Training sessions are so upbeat, so short and filled with good times, that they end with the dog wanting more.

I begin and end each little session with something foolproof so the dog is praised and rewarded to start and to finish. When I say "ready?" the dog is eager and happy and indeed ready, and the other dogs are wishing it was their turn, gathered outside the "zone" (but encroaching on the line whenever they think I might not notice) ....

If he wanders off, then I'm guessing each session might be too long or too slow.

Unless ... do you mean he's avoiding, perhaps going away with head a little down?

This is just me, but if I need the leash indoors to keep the dog with me, I probably need to examine the length or maybe the upbeat feeling of the sessions.

PS

This is not to say that different dogs aren't different in their reactions to pleasant stuff, of course. One might shiver with excitement while another is far more laid back. But losing interest to the point of wandering off would make me look at the session: Is he frustrated? Bored? Confused? Tired?

Simon,
What does 'turn the dog on'?

 Quote: connie sutherland

This is just me, but if I need the leash indoors to keep the dog with me, I probably need to examine the length or maybe the upbeat feeling of the sessions.

Ok our training sessions sound nothing like your training sessions. Haha. Louie's more of a "laid back" dog that doesn't get excited most of the time (although as he opens up I can see it increasing). The attitude I get from him when we're charging the mark is "this is just ok... I might want to just go hang out in my crate after eating a few pieces of hot dog and bacon". He's not super excited. I might not as animated as I can be, but that's because he gets scared sometimes when I get super excited and I use a higher pitch/more excited voice. He responds to me better when I have a calm/happy voice but that's not really high energy.

In any case, I will work on getting a video up here soon. I'm sure it will explain a lot more and you guys can pick my training apart and that will help! (and hurt my pride a little... but I can take it)

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

PS

This is not to say that different dogs aren't different in their reactions to pleasant stuff, of course. One might shiver with excitement while another is far more laid back. But losing interest to the point of wandering off would make me look at the session: Is he frustrated? Bored? Confused? Tired?

I would say bored/confused. I feel that his confidence is low by the way he acts. He will often wonder from the living to the bed room and back and forth and seems indecisive as to where he wants to be/where he thinks we want him to be. He will also do the same with his crate (go in, come back out, repeat). We are probably also making training mistakes that are leading to his confusion, but not always sure what those are.

I do understand that so far, nothing really excites him yet, including food and play, but I betcha we can find that place where training sessions are pleasurable to you both.

 Quote: randy allen

Simon,
What does 'turn the dog on'?

1. When we're preparing his food. He'll hear the kibble rattle against the scoop and then his dog bowl. He'll come out into the kitchen alert and look at us. He's not jumping around in excitement or anything though.

2. When we grab his leather leash. He'll stretch, and wag his tail and walk around a little faster because he knows he's going outside.

3. When we're in the dog park at night (no other people/dogs there), we'll run from one end to the other and he'll get chase/follow us and is somewhat excited.

That's about it.

 Quote: Simon Tai

 Quote: randy allen

Simon,
What does 'turn the dog on'?

1. When we're preparing his food. He'll hear the kibble rattle against the scoop and then his dog bowl. He'll come out into the kitchen alert and look at us. He's not jumping around in excitement or anything though.

2. When we grab his leather leash. He'll stretch, and wag his tail and walk around a little faster because he knows he's going outside.

3. When we're in the dog park at night (no other people/dogs there), we'll run from one end to the other and he'll get chase/follow us and is somewhat excited.

That's about it.

I think you are going to find his Food of Joy. He didn't used to even want to eat when you first got him. Now he comes to the kitchen to look at you when you rattle kibble.

I'm not just saying this. I think he is becoming more and more settled and less and less focused on anxiety.

Isn't this the seafood guy? I'm trying to think of a good way to make pieces of sardines neater to handle ....

A couple things you might try are Free Shaping and just catching the dog in the act.

In free shaping you have marker and rewards ready to go. Decide what behavior you want the dog to do. Then just wait for the dog to do the behavior, or to do something approximating the behavior. When it does, mark and reward. Now some dogs, especially ones lacking confidence, will just stare at you and do nothing. If this is the case, wait for him to do anything, even an ear flick or tail twitch (any movement or change of expression will do) and mark and reward that. The eventual goal is to get the dog to try different behaviors until he figures out the correct one. It's kind of a fun game once the dog picks it up. Don't spend a lot of time. A couple (or even one) successful repetition is enough at first. No commands are used.

Catching in the act means just what it says. When you see your dog going into a position, such as a sit, give your command just as he's completing the action and praise him.

With some dogs that lack confidence you must keep your voice quiet, calm and soothing even when praising.