He isn't a bad tempered dog at all, he just has his own ideas about what would be fun to do and objects strongly when he doesn't get his way. I think much of this attitude stems from me not being his person. He seems like very much a one or two person dog and not very inclined to work for strangers.
He stayed on Placemat for 45 minutes today. He didn't want to go onto it at first but soon gave up the argument and pouted for a while and fell asleep. Secretly I think he enjoyed the nap.
Tomorrow I have a miraculously free Saturday and so am going to focus on trying to make working more fun for him. So far, because of my packed lesson schedule, it has been mostly formal workouts and not a whole lot of lifestyle work. Tomorrow I am hoping to dedicate a few hours to simply having Chief in the house with me and using the obedience like it will be used when he gets home. We may take a walk to the mailbox in a Heel, he will have to hold a Sit/Stay while I check the box. We might watch some TV on Placemat, or hold a Down while I feed the baby. Simple day-to-day tasks that will help break up the monotony of Heel, Sit, Down, Come, Heel, workouts will hopefully help him have a bit more fun.