Is it too late to try clicker training?

[JodieO]

Our puppy is 6 months old now and I've been thinking about trying clicker training; but would it be too late to start now? If not, does anyone have any advice on where/how to start? Good books on it or any tips?

She's a staffy cross shar pei and strong willed if that makes any difference.

Bella - It appears there are TWO dog whisperers!

The dog whisperer book I have read is Greame Sims - some gruff looking Welsh bloke with a gazillion sheep dogs. He is very anti choke chains (threw one over a hedge), but as I said before quite a lot of his book is very collie heavy, hence lots of references to looking at sheep.

His book was quite nice really, a bit fluffy and non specific and he is anti 'treats' (he says his personal presence and enthusiasm with the dogs is treat enough) but he is certainly very anti being horrid to dogs to train them.

I now see there is an American Whisperer (all these men whispering at dogs ) who is the contraversial mr CM, who, having just googled him looks like a (Tim Burton) oompa-loompa.

sorry for the confusion

Oh Greame Sim is a Reverend, not that that matters one jot to anyone but I wanted to give him his official title .

here is the Rev, with a collie and a stick

Ah, yes - I have seen that.

He must be fed up being confused with the Mexican Botoxed one though, dontcha think?

Oh goodness yes. I wonder who got whispering first? Mr Sims' book was a nice read, but much more like an autobiography than a 'how to' book. At the end I was still a bit perplexed as to how I was meant to get my (future - not yet even born) puppy to round up sheep.

I have bookmarked his recommended sheep dog whistle site though , and have mild desires to shout "come by" in a strong and authoritative voice when I am out and about.

Blimey, whistles and clickers and treats...I feel a new coat with over sized pockets coming on.

I can never quite understand the reason for not giving treats/toys.

If you give treats/toys you have a motivated happy dog who has a clear understanding of when they have done the right thing.

When they understand a command and you sometimes give treats and you sometimes don't the dog will work so hard to do the quickest sit or fastest recall.

I guess I don't have a big ego and don't care if the dogs don't love me enough to do what I ask them for nothing

I guess if you are training collies to herd sheep the reward is in the herding but a different situation from calling a labrador from out of the middle of a pond to end his fun and take him home to dry off!

Oh yes you will need a many pocketed coat. Just remember to take out the treats before you hang it up and then 3 weeks later wonder where that cheesy/sicky smell is coming from

His anti-treat hang up (I think..I've read too many books now and am getting confused) is that he wants the dog to focus on him and not the treat in his hand. He goes on a bit about an invisible string and the dog constantly looking at your face and just sort of knowing what you wanted it to do using just your body languauge as a guide.

I got a on quite a lot in that chapter.

He probably should name himself the Sheep Dog Whisperer and then would have his perfect audience.

Oh well then he obviously does not have a multi pocketed coat to hide his treats in!

Midori could start selling them with her puppy packs

Watch me command also gets around that problem. I don't give my dogs a treat unless they are looking at me not the treat.

So then minimu and Bella, what book(s) would you recommend I have a look at.

I think I'm going to go dog book cold turkey for a few weeks to clear away the detritus and then start again. I've got at least 10 weeks before this puppy arrives so there is plenty of time

I'm very swayed by clicker training but I'd just like to stick to one method iyswim as I'm easily confused and distracted (much like a dog really).

Oh and one other thing, can I do clicker training at home and go to puppy/dog training sessions or will the poor dog and I be getting in a terrible muddle?

I keep my whistle on a lariat (string) round my neck. Nearly had a nasty accident with my hand-held blender tonight though - who'd have thought pineapple upside down cake could be so dangerous?
I'd say Karen Pryor's Don't Shoot the Dog if you just want one book and you want to do clicker training.
What do you say, oh Guru?

I have my whistle around my neck but be careful when picking up poo

Defo Karen Pryor
Jean Donaldson
For basic day to day training I would get Gwen Bailey - perfect puppy
Mary Ray - when you want to do tricks.

I personally would not go to a class that does not do clicker training. As you are beginning to realise there are an awful lot of dog training methods some based on very old methods of training.

APDT should offer clicker training classes. But well worth driving that extra few miles to find the right training club. That is something you could start to research before you get the puppy - go for a few visits.

You will get a lot of views and everyone knows better than you how to bring up your dog (just like with children) but if you go with gut reaction it usually right.

Thanks for all this. Have just ordered Karen Pryor and Jean Donaldson...and a clicker (to practice getting it right on the dc).
I have already been given Gwen Bailey on long term loan.

I'll start phoning round the classes in my area too to see if they do clicker training.

It is all a bit mind boggling for the newbie dog owner I must say. Thank goodness for mn.

Definately one at a time preferably with the other one in another room.