dog training - recommend me some books / websites please :)

[bumpybecky]

OK I know that..

Caesar Milan, dominance, pack theory = bad
clicker training, positive reinforcement = good

but Amazon has 17,822 results for dog training and I'm a bit can anyone recommend a couple of books or web links that will get me started (not that I've actually got a dog yet.....)

thanks very much :)

[D0oinMeCleanin]

The Complete Idiots Guide to Positive Dog Training
Karen Pryor - Beginners Guide to Clicker Training (don't shoot the dog also gets good reviews)
Jean Donaldson - The Culture Clash
John Bradshaw - In Defense of Dogs

Those are my favourites but I have a list three million miles longs

[needastrongone]

I have the Karen Pryor book D0in mentions. It's great.

I also have a Gwen Bailey puppy training book which is really easy to read and sensible. Postive training used but no clicker.

I also have a book (given to me) about clicker training aggressive dogs, but actually, some of the stuff in there is great and seems appropriate for all dogs (to a novice like me anyway). I'll dig out the author, sure Karen Pryor is the authors mentor.

I also have a download free (you can google) Ian Dunbars 'Before and After getting your Puppy'. He's a bit dramatic in parts for my taste (one accident in the house is a DISASTER!!) but sensible advice in there too.

Also 'Before I Knew Better' - I have a Caesar Milan book. Forgive me people, for I have sinned

Are you looking at a adult or a puppy, which might influence the choice of book that you get?

[needastrongone]

Sorry, spelling and grammar not great, I am rushing around.

[sununu]

kikopup on youtube! she's a genius. I know she has lots of other fans on here too

[needastrongone]

I just wanted to add that I picked up the Karen Pryor book last night again. It is really easy to read and follow, I know nothing about clicker training, having never had a dog before but it's a super starting point.

Have also looked at the kikopup clips on YouTube, they're great, again very easy to follow, certainly shows you the technique for achieving each behaviour. It looks all very easy though, that's my only slight reservation. I wonder about reality!

[CalamityKate]

Kikopup is brilliant. I love her. All her dogs bar one are rescues. Her Tug, in particular is adorable.

[D0oinMeCleanin]

needsastringone, my dog came to me as an adult someone had already tried to train him.

By try to train him I mean he would sit if you asked him 20 times, maybe, if he felt like it. He had a vague idea of what you wanted from him - same with down and "off" as in off the sofa, these are behaviours I still need to reinforce although he loads better.

Stay, wait and leave it were all trained Kiko pups way. Each one took him one session to learn and another two sessions maybe to increase duration. He loves those commands and responds instantly and happily.

"Come" was totally clicker trained and is also a cue he responds to very well.

The point of clicker training is meant to be that it is easy.

When we get back from holiday I am going to use Kiko pup to teach him not to lunge on the lead if he sees something he likes/wants to play with.

[needastrongone]

Okay, cool

I was speaking in ignorance, I was looking for the catch because it looks easy on the videos!

Have decided clicker training is the way we want to try training anyway, plus classes. No doubt I will make some errors along the way but looking forward to it actually

Unlike the lack of sleep, not looking forward to that bit!

[D0oinMeCleanin]

I think everyone who hears about clicker training feels the same. I know DH does. He still thinks along the lines of "Well if you're not punishing them for doing wrong, how will they learn?"

He got very confused when I was giving the puppy clicks and treats for barking even though I wanted him to stop barking. A few more sessions later we had "speak" on cue and we just don't use the cue, unless we want to show off

[bumpybecky]

thanks for the recommendations :) I've ordered the first two for now. All I need is a dog and we're off!