clicker training !

[ashbee03]

i picked up a clicker today, she is 11 months old, is it ok to start he training with a clicker now ?

[Wonka & Nilla]

Yes, you can start right away! Just make sure you "Load" the clicker first before expecting her to do anything for it. If you don't know what loading the clicker means then check out a few clicker websites or take a class before you begin. There are also some good clicker training books.
In the US, Karen Pryor is probably the best known for clicker training. Her website is a good starting place: Clicker Training Basics | Karen Pryor Clickertraining
and a quick video at: ClickFlicks -- An Introduction to Clicker Training :: Dog training videos for download from Karen Pryor Clickertraining
In the UK, Linda Topliss teaches a slightly different style, but I couldn't find a website for her.

For a whole bunch of nice positive based training tips, I like "Kikopup" on YouTube... Here's one to get you started: YouTube - How to teach 'leave it'- without intimidation

Edited to add: Some people call it "charging the clicker"... same thing, different words.

[wvvdiup1]

May I add another suggestion? If you go to Victoria Stilwell's website/forums (Victoria Stilwell Positively*|*The Official Victoria Stilwell Website), you will find loads of information about clicker training and positive reinforcement training!

[KismetPuggies]

Oh hear hear! I'm a HUGE Victoria Stilwell fan. I incorporate many of her methods into my training and am constantly amazed at how quickly my dogs respond.


Good luck with the clicker!! I never had any luck with it because I always tried to click too soon.. this confused my poor dogs and brought a great deal of stress into my life... so due to 100% my own fault, the clicker never worked for me.