clicker training: class or book?

I learned through books. Reading and rereading them and re-rereading them until I could basically recite them, because when you're in the midst of training you can't stop and look stuff up. I then went to a class that was specifically to prepare for CGC but it was a clicker class. It was really nice to be able to fine tune my training by having someone who really knows what they're doing watching me, and the trainer helped me solve a few nagging problems that I hadn't been able to tackle on my own.
 
I say go for a class!

I learned from books, as well as a numerous online groups to help me through. Where I live we don't have any clicker classes in my province, so I was out of luck that way, and if I wanted to learn it at all I was on my own. So I dished out a LOT of moula, signed up to some of the best training lists, and I was on my way. I have just about all of the clicker books out there, although I am now behind with the recent increase in training books..haha. I'm awaiting my "Click Your Way to Rally Obedience" to arrive in the mail, and am currently reading "Click and Easy" that I got for Christmas (along with For Love of a Dog, and numerous WDJ magazines waiting to be read.....sigh.....). There are a number I still want too, but of course being a university student it takes time to get those books these days, I don't have as much money as I used to.

The way I've fine tuned my training was via video. I would video my training sessions with dogs and would sit back and study them myself, as well as have others online help me interpret them while I was learning.

If you have the opportunity, I would definitely sugget a class, if the class is a proper clicker class (there are many classes that claim to use clicker training that really are nothing but force-based classes with a clicker on your wrist....so be careful about even your clicker classes!). But I would also recommend books if you're really into it as they are what you have on hand all the time, and you can learn a lot from those books.

Kim MacMillan

ORIGINAL: Sue and Buddy

I finally found a clicker training obedience class somewhat close to my house!!  I was reading the free shaping posts and was wondering if you learned clicker training in a class or through reading a book or some other means.

Sue

 
How much will the class cost you if you don't mind me asking?  At our shelter they charge $90 (5 weeks) for puppies and for 9 months and over $110 (6 weeks). 
 
If you do get a book I recommend [linkhttp://www.amazon.com/Clicking-Your-Dog-Step-Step/dp/189094808X/sr=8-1/qid=1169213495/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-2185928-9408919?ie=UTF8&s=books]Clicking With Your Dog[/link] which was recommended to me by spiritdogs.  Great book. 

THE book for understanding all the concepts is "Don't Shoot the Dog". It's a must.
 
I used books and videos. For the most basic clicker training (and for the pups) Coralee Burmasters "Puppy Kindergarten. This might even be too basic. "The How of Bow Wow" is a great video and although it's one of a series I think it's the best one. For really step-by step info on loads of commands with other good information "Quick Clicks" is great. These are all available at dogwise.com
 
There is also a wealth of info (and actual training instructions) online. I can't remember any sites off-hand but you shouldn't have much trouble Googling some.

ORIGINAL: bunni

"The How of Bow Wow" is a great video .

I own this on DVD.  The only problem I have with this video is that there are no problem dogs in it.  They all know all the commands already.  I'm sure there is a seminar that the OP could buy on [linkhttp://www.tawzerdogvideos.com/]TawzerDogVideos.com[/link].  I recommend emailing Alta who co-owns Tawzer with her husband George.  I'm sure she could recommend a seminar for you.  I emailed her recently and she was very helpful in finding what I was looking for.

ORIGINAL: nocturnal76

ORIGINAL: Sue and Buddy

I finally found a clicker training obedience class somewhat close to my house!!  I was reading the free shaping posts and was wondering if you learned clicker training in a class or through reading a book or some other means.

Sue

How much will the class cost you if you don't mind me asking?  At our shelter they charge $90 (5 weeks) for puppies and for 9 months and over $110 (6 weeks). 

If you do get a book I recommend [linkhttp://www.amazon.com/Clicking-Your-Dog-Step-Step/dp/189094808X/sr=8-1/qid=1169213495/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-2185928-9408919?ie=UTF8&s=books]Clicking With Your Dog[/link] which was recommended to me by spiritdogs.  Great book. 

$150 for 8 weeks, basic obedience for dogs older than 20 wks (I am guessing on the age restriction)  I really can't wait because this school also does flyball training in a running open session. 
 
Sue

books are great, but when it comes to clicker training TIMING is everything. It's a physical skill you have to practice over and over, and it really helps to watch other people do it, and to have them observe you do it and critique your timing.

Classes are a good idea if they are decent classes. I took one of my pups just to check out the class and have her around other dogs. The "trainer" was clueless. She had absolutely no skill in people training - which is what it's all about. People were saying "Down" 4 or 5 times and clicking every time, whether the dog did anything or not. No one really understood the clicker and thought that my pup was already trained since I didn't say anything to her while we were working and she was moving right along. After spending 3 weeks on "down" (with a small bit of started but not finished instructions on other things) I couldn't take any more.  Timing was covered in about one sentence.
 
A good class would be great. The problem is that none of the people in my class would have any way of knowing if this were a good class or not. At least in the videos you get to see the timing and you get a lot of other good information.

These links wouldn't give as much as a class or book or DVD, but here's some good (and free!) background reading:

[linkhttp://www.clickerlessons.com/]http://www.clickerlessons.com/[/link]
[linkhttp://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/index.htm#behaviors]http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/index.htm#behaviors[/link]

Happy clicking