Hi Deb,
I highly recommend the clicker training. AprilLove is my 4th dog and first I have used this method with (heard about it here!! on YT
. It is really not complicated at all. You basically just click immediately when they finish the task you give them (such as shake, sit, come, down, etc), then you treat. They learn that click means treat and reward, and they love getting praise and reward. I got the training DVD and book by Karon Pryor and started when AprilLove was 13 weeks old. My biggest concern is the come command and she comes RUNNING whenever I call her. Whether outside or inside.
I have not used a collar on her yet. She is 17 weeks old now and we have about 5 or 6 minutes a day we spend on clicker training, she even knows when we do it now, when I come home from work after greeetings and letting all the doggies out, she comes to me and sits and waits for the session to begin, it is so cute. Do a little every day and be repetative and consistent, and it will work. Hope this helps.
MaryKay
AprilLoves' Mommy
