clicker training

[violetvrgo]

thanks for all previous help guys...now i need to know some stuff about clicker training...now, my puppy is between 2-3 months and in all the puppy books it says not to train but so much during teething, because the dog will associate it with pain. they also say start training the minute it gets home, which we are trying to do. NOW...the clicker training books say that, to use the clicker for positive reinforcement, click whenever it does something good, ANYTHING that is good, or cute, or that is a positive thing for it to do. this way, he knows everything he is doing that is right. so, is this way training 'too much' at this point, or is it all ok, or should i only strictly stick to the basic things i need him to know (where to potty, not to bite, sit, etc)? if anyone has clicker-trained a young rottie please give me any tips!!! thanks a lot.

[Lora Lee]

Oh my, slow down a bit here. Good training comes with time. Your pup's pretty young. Give him good basics for now and fine tune later.

It's good that your reading all that you can now. Keep it up...just don't be too quick to have that perfect dog.

Young dogs need positive play times, plenty of affection, and early socialization with people and other canines. I suggest a puppy class to get started, find a good trainer and if your interested in clicker training--find one who is fluent in such. :)

[Bealsie2]

You can start clicker at any age. The younger the better. My daughter started her puppy when she got him at 8 weeks and the first thing she taught was the down. He spent a lot of time throwing himself to the floor in front of people or other dogs whenever he wanted to play.

The important thing to remember is that click ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS means treat. Initially the treat will be food, but later it can be a game or petting. Try to find a clicker trainer near you. If you can't, there are lots of books and videos out there. There are also lots of clicker lists on the internet. Do a search on Gary Wilkes and Karen Pryor to start and you'll turn up tons of info just on the web.

It's a really fun way to train and dogs love it. It not only teaches them stuff you want them to learn, but also it teaches them how to learn which is a good thing all through life.

Susan

[Burnsway]

Oh my, slow down a bit here. Good training comes with time. Your pup's pretty young.
Give him good basics for now and fine tune later.

It's good that your reading all that you can now. Keep it up...just don't be too quick to
have that perfect dog.

Young dogs need positive play times, plenty of affection, and early socialization with
people and other canines. I suggest a puppy class to get started, find a good trainer
and if your interested in clicker training--find one who is fluent in such.

ROFLMAO

Could you tell that to my hubby....lol....with my chow and pomeranian being seniour citizens and so well behaved he just assumed when he decided to get his new rottie that with the way I was with dogs she would be perfect in no time.....

You notice how I said.....HIS rottie....I be training.....roflmao!

men you gotta love them......

[Terryann]

My husband and I are just finishing a clicker basic obedience class with his now 16 wk. old female rottie, Dharma, and my 4 yr. old male rottie, Denali. Both have done very well, although, Dharma is valedictorian of the class. She really took off with the clicker training. It is a fun way to work with your dogs also. At 16 wks., she sits, flats (down), freezes (stay) in a stand, sit or flat with many distractions, heels with a normal nylon collar, knows "leave it" and "drop it", and tries many other things to get a "click"! Dharma is very smart, and I think if we didn't work with her so much, she would find other "trouble" to get into. My 4 yr. old took a while to connect the click with a treat (he was trained the "old fashioned" way where you make them sit and down), as clicker training makes the dog think!! We love the training, and will be continuing with other courses our trainer offers with both of the dogs.

[violetvrgo]

cool!...thanks, guys, i will just hafta keep tryin' then...!