Clicker training your puppy?

[Darcy & Millie]

I realize this discussion isn't quite for "training", but I'm wondering if clicker training is a good idea to do with puppies, or no?  I haven't found too much info on it if it's the "best" way to train??  I'm guessing there are pros and cons of it?  Any success stories, or anyone dislike clicker training?

Thank you!

[Caleb Chun]

i think it depends on the pup and person... i tried doing the clicker thing with Tobi when we started off training, but for me it was just too much to always remember to click-treat/reward... so what i ended up doing was basically the same premise as clicker training, but just took out the clicker and it's been working absolutely wonderful for me... Tobi sits on command wherever we go, his downs are about 80%, stays are up to 40 sec before he starts getting antsy... but like i said i think it just depends on the pup and person, try it out and see :)

edit: forgot to add that i rarely use treats when i train.. i mainly use his toys or what not and it's been great... so far he'll sit and down with or without a reward(but i usually reward cuz he's just so awesome haha)

[Jen W]

I don't use a clicker but say "yesss" to mark the behaviors she does that I want before I give out the treat.  It has the same affect but I don't have to carry a clicker around everywhere I go (still have to have a pocket full of freeze dried turkey everywhere I go though....)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I can't think of any downsides of starting clicker training immediately. You just need to practice loads to get the hang of the speed of the click and the hand gymnastics involved getting the treat. I found Kikopup on YouTube wonderful and basically taught myself.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

I really like the clicker for training. Daphne just seemed to "get it" a lot faster than when we just said "yes" to her. Because I think the click happens almost immediately after the desired behavior. Once they get the behavior than you no longer need to use the clicker. I just use it when I am teaching something new. I know there will be many opinions here and none are more right or wrong than others. It's just what works best for your puppy.

[Anthony Leong]

Here's a nice article.

http://www.eriandpoodles.com/id105.html

[Emily Lau]

We combined regular "good boy"+ treat training (general behavior like.... going potty and going in crate) with clicker training (for more precise behavior like roll over and paw) and see fantastic results! We did that starting at 8 weeks. Now Earnest is 6.5 months and he does roll over, paw, sit, lie down all very well. He also pees on command in general.. :) 

We stop the clicker once he learns the vocab. :)

[Darcy & Millie]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences!  Sounds like you can be successful either way!  :)  Maybe I'll give it a try and see how it goes.