Utilizing praise in training your dog is a key component in the reward process. You always have praise with you, so it is a good idea to learn how to use it. However, often times it gets owners in trouble when they are trying to gain or maintain a calm state of mind in their dog. The level of praise is extremely important and differs from situation to situation.
Remember this; the more excitable and flamboyant your praise, the more you are driving your dog back into that frenzied, excitable state that you may be trying to avoid. Unless you are amping your dog up for a run on the agility course, or releasing from a stationary position and looking for better engagement, praise needs to be kept calm and level in order for your dog to maintain control. It is unfair to ask our dogs to compose themselves when we are bouncing around in front of them, with high pitched, squeaky voices and are acting un-composed ourselves.
Another tid-bit to keep in mind is that over-done praise can also act as an aversive to dogs who are not so into the "baby talk" or those who are shy/nervous/fearful/anxious, instead of viewing it as rewarding they view it as something to be avoided. It's easy to see in the body language of your dog if they are enjoying the interaction or not. If your dog is backing up, trying to avoid you, or looking uncomfortable when you lavish on the praise - stop!
Soft eye contact, a sincere "good girl" and/or a pat under the chin are often enough to show the dog that they have done well, to keep them in their current clam state of mind, and to not overwhelm them with your own excitability.
