From the Journal of Canine Psychology
Post Training Stress Syndrome - PTSS
Unrealistic expectations from high strung breeds can result in PTSS. Fortunately, PTSS is not a permanent canine psychotic condition. The most common symtoms are aggressive behaviors (excessive barking, growling, snapping and biting) and destructive behaviors (chewing furniture, clawing walls and tearing up lawns and flower beds). Symtoms usually appear immediately after training sessions and disappear after a few hours only to reappear with the next session.
Case Study
Ms. Mallon came to the clinic with her 2 year old wire haired fox terrior - a very active, yet friendly spayed female. It had been house trained as a puppy. Ms. Mallon was distraught because her pet, unlike her neighbor's poodle, could not "do tricks". "All I wanted to do", she explained, "was to teach her not to bark so much, to sit, to roll over, and to play dead with it's paws in the air. I just can't teach her to do anything no matter how hard I work at it. And every time I try she poops under my kitchen table. What can I do?"
I explained to her that some breeds are easily trained, like her neighbor's poodle. Others, especially terrier breeds, seem to have a mind of their own and will probably never "do tricks". Defecating under the table is simply her way of saying no, I don't like this. "She'll be just like she was before when you stop the training. Nothing is wrong with your dog, Ms. Mallon, it just doesn't want to sit down, shut up, roll over and play dead. Dogs are a lot like people."