Dogs are amazing beings who have a truly interesting psychology. We have figured out how to capture behaviors and shape them in a positive direction to help us with a myriad of tasks. I want to discuss a nuanced part of their psychology and behavior that you may not be aware of, and I believe this knowledge will help save you a lot of frustration.

Dogs see every response that we give them as either a consequence or a reward towards their current stat of mind, and their behavior that follows their state of mind. So when we affirm them with treats, physical attention, eye contact with an admirable energy and even with just being happy in their presence, we're actually rewarding their current state of mind. 

That state of mind may be calm and submissive, anxious, confused, avoidant, aggressive, possessive or dominant, and we are always reinforcing their current state of mind. Surprisingly to me, this comes as a shock to most dog owners I speak with. When their dog is anxiously panting and pacing, they try to calm their companion down by petting it. When they learn that this is actually reinforcing the anxiety, they immediately ask what else to do.

In the case of a dog being anxious, I would recommend that you encourage a calm and submissive state of mind and body posture by having the dog lay down on a target location such as a dog bed. If that dog is excessively anxious and needs it's energy drained first, take the dog for a long walk and discourage anxiety on the walk by having rules and a structure to the walk.

Dogs absolutely adore and need affection. They need rewards and affirmation of their states of mind and behaviors being acceptable and pleasing. But their very nature says: exercise, discipline, affection. In that order. They need to get their energy out, have boundaries and be given a job and then be rewarded for their hard work.