Clicker training a puppy

[Mirzam]

Clicker training has been recommended to me by many different people, so I want to give it a go with our 11 week old English Mastiff. I have checked and we don't have any trainers in our area, so is it possible to do it yourself using the resources they sell? Would you recommend I get the puppy training plus set.

This is our first puppy, well dog actually, and I don't want to mess it up!!

[stardogs]

I don't think you need the kit, but it might be helpful to some - especially if you're a more visual learner since it has some video.

For good DIY clicker resources:

http://www.clickersolutions.com - go to the Articles link and start browsing by topic.
http://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup - faaaabulous videos on a ton of good topics
http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20dog...ess/Steps.html - online e-book for clicker training from the ground up for a solid foundation in almost any activity

Good books:
Clicking with your Dog (by Peggy Tilman)
Click for Joy (by Melissa Alexander?)

[greenmagick]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Kikopup!

Also on youtube check out Honey the Great Dane...

Pretty much everyone I know who clicker trains says the same thing..."Why didnt I start this sooner!"

[somegirl99]

Definitely some sort of video is a good idea without a local instructor, it's hard to get a sense of the timing and flow from books.

You'll have a great time clicker training your puppy!

[Raene]

I'm clicker training my service dog...he's 14 weeks old today It's really a lot of fun. I wouldn't say I use it 100% of the time--it's hard to hold my baby, have a treat in hand, and a clicker in the other. But when I can, I do! It's working quite well. Just make sure you find some treats he loves. My Golden gets pretty finicky and then he doesn't care to try when he isn't into the treats. We're using BRAVO raw dried liver training treats for the most part, but again, he gets bored and I occasionally use the real stuff--cooked chicken pieces, fish, etc. I'd say just get yourself a cheap treat bag, about $7 at Petsmart, and a 99 cent clicker, and a variety of treats. That's really all you need! Have fun!!!