Why did you first log on to Clickertraining.com?

I have got the training bug from my work as a sea lion trainer in the uk, many of the behaviours we train aid medical care and husbandry. Now I have a gorgeous rottweiler called Harvey So being a big fan of don't shoot the dog and lads before the wind I had to get onto karen pryors site for advice on domestic species!

I'm a beginner - I read "don't shoot the dog" and "Click to Calm" along with a huge stack of other books. Our puppies (10 month old border collie and 6 month old goodness knows what, but hes going to be big) love the clicker. When I started it with them 4 months ago my 3 year old collie joined in, but now he takes a look at the treats and wonders off. I am training him for sheepdog trialing and use the clicker as a marker signal to keep him focussed and calm. This is also helpful as he is reactive to other entire male dogs, but the clicker helps. I am fascinated to know why it works with him in these ways although he really isn't food oriented at all. So I'm just exploring, and searching for answers.

In addition to the things already mentioned, exposing your pup too many new and different things is a good idea.

Don't overwhelm the puppy but introduce him to traffic sounds, chairs tipping over on the lawn, babies crying, the noise of a crowd, thunder and lightning and other things that he may encounter in his life.

Let him safely investigate things that startle him and don't sympathize with him but click and reward him for his bravery in facing something new and different.

Also make some visits to the Vet's office just to say "hello" and not when he is there for an appointment. Be sure to get him used to being handled...look in his mouth and ears and check his tail and feet and do this daily so these are not thought of scary and invasive maneuvers.

Be sure to practice your clicker technique before the puppy gets there. You might even practice on your husband?? Although they can be a lot harder to train...LOL Try the "You Don't Say" game for some very useful insight into how clicker training works.

Happy puppyhood!!

Diane

When I first heard of clicker training ("of course training with food doesn't work; everyone knows that!") and saw some evidence for success, I started researching. I found more information. I found ClickerTraining.com. I found that Karen Pryor, clicker trainer, was the author of Lads Before the Wind, which I'd read and loved years before and had never connected to dog training. :-)

Obviously I bought into clicker training, convinced by the science and data behind it. I learned about how dog training is not unlike exotic training. And 6-7 years later, I'm still visiting ClickerTraining.com!

Laura &

• FO U-CD ARCH Shakespeare To Go CD CGC BH WAC TDI RL1-CL RL1X RN ATT RL3 CD-H
• Ascomannis Laevatein YTT RL1 CD-H (www.clickertraining.com/blog/179)
  
• Inky (couch dog!)
  

I began to learn clicker training in 1991 after a dismal and heartbreaking attempt to teach my sheltie (the one I very effectively taught to 'not pick things up')a forced retrieve using the ear pinch. Did it once, cried for my little fella and threw my choke chain away. I read DSTD right after that and the rest is history. I'm here to be with like minded people, animal lovers and trainers. I love the impact of c/t on the lives of both the animals and their handlers. Makes me a happy trainer and a real friend to my critters.

Tam Mrose
Deerwood Kennels
Keeseville, NY

I have a wonderful puppy, Tucker, who is a Shih Tzu. I read about Clicker Training in Dog Fancy and Shih Tzu from the editors of Dog Fancy, I ordered Tucker his 'clicker' today and I can't wait to receive it so we can get started!
If anyone has any helpful hints for training my Shih Tzu or care for him I would welcome all information... this is my first puppy!

Reinforcing "waiting on" behaviour especially in young falcons, on days when no game is flushed, without the use of "bagged quarry".

I just wanted to put out there that i think this site has alot of helpful information thats easy to access and im looking forward to learning more about communicating with my dog and bringing my friends into the loop also. Thank you.

I moved to New Mexico a few years back & found that I missed my mother's Sun Conure " Ruddie " so much that I became a bird owner. As a Birthday / Christmas my mother bought me a Half Moon Conure, named Echo, he was hatched on May 19th 2006.
At the time I picked he up at the pet store I also picked up the book on clicker training, which I have just finished reading. I have just started introducing "Echo" to the clicker, which was one I have had for many years.
So, just wanted to say "Hello" and to let you know that I will keep in touch. Oh by the way I spoke to my family on the Cape & New Mexico is colder & we have snow.

I have trained my dogs for about 23 years. Unfortunately, the first 22 years used classical agression management and punishment techniques. I tried to be humane, but the books I read were all about being the pack leader and dominance.

I didn't have a dog for 10 years and then, last year, I got a new puppy. I knew that there must have been advancements in training methods in the last ten years - and I found clicker training. How refreshing and wonderful. First thing I did - throw out all my old books and tools!

It has been great. Taking what I knew about dogs and adding the magic of the clicker and capturing and shaping has been such a joy. I just got my first parrot last week and he is doing wonderful as well. I will write more about that later.

Thanks for everything,
Bob

I won't be getting my puppy till February 2007, but I wanted to be as prepared as possible for his arrival. In addition to learning about crate training, dog-proofing the house, socializing, figuring out nutritional needs, and lining up first-year medical requirements, I wanted to learn techniques to shape behavior at an early age.

Clicker training made sense to me, and it's a simple method to implement. I'm looking forward to learning more, particularly the phasing out process of treats. Combined with the NILIF philosophy, I'm hoping clicker training will help shape a happy, healthy, responsive, and well-adjusted dog.