So Sammy is pretty well-behaved, but there are still a few pesky traits I am trying to work on. I'd tried clicker training him in the past and he's terrified of the clicker. I'd still like to try clicker training, but I've tried click pens and jar lids and anything else softer sounding and it didn't work. I've tried to do positive reinforcement with praise, but it's slow going. He's a smart dog, he could do so much more, I think, if we used a clicker since then less depends on my timing, etc.
So I know the names of a good trainer or two, one of which I used in the past for something a little more important, but I'm not sure I want to pay $70/hr for her to come out again. There is a drop-in class by another very good trainer, but it's 30 miles away and it's held in a grooming shop -- Sammy is aggressive towards intact males, so while a class a the humane society doesn't pose a risk since there aren't any intact males, I've afraid of a grooming business. Although the aggression is something else I'd like to work on with Sammy, it isn't a high priority since we don't see that many intact males day-to-day. It's also hard to work on if
There's a clicker class we could sign up for, but it might be a waste of money if he's too scared of it. So any recommendations on my next course of action? Should I really hire a trainer and spend a fortune, or should I try a drop in class if I tell the instructor about his potential aggression? Or just give up, LOL?